Get in touch
The best way to reach me is email or LinkedIn. Tell me a little about your business and what you're wrestling with, and I'll come back to you quickly.
Based in London. Working with businesses across the UK and internationally, in person or remotely.
Common questions
What does Nicola Blackford do?
I'm a senior commercial operator and adviser based in London. I work with founders, investors and CEOs in growth-stage consumer businesses: stepping in to lead the commercial agenda (interim or full-time), ongoing advisory, or defined projects across growth, proposition and pricing.
What is Nicola Blackford's background?
I trained at BCG, working on growth strategy, pricing, range and brand positioning, and commercial due diligence for private equity transactions. I was Chief Commercial Officer and Board Director at Secret Cinema from 2016 to 2023, through private equity investment and the company's $100m acquisition, and most recently CCO at State of Play Hospitality, the multi-brand social entertainment platform behind Flight Club USA, Hijingo and Bounce, operating across the UK and US. I hold an MBA from INSEAD and an MSc in Economics from the University of Oxford.
What kinds of businesses does Nicola work with?
Founder-led, venture-backed and PE-backed consumer businesses, typically growth-stage: location-based experiences, retail, leisure, hospitality and entertainment. I'm based in London and work across the UK and internationally.
What does Nicola Blackford offer?
A mix of work: interim commercial leadership (stepping in as CCO or commercial lead for a defined period); ongoing advisory; commercial sprints (a pricing review, proposition redesign, or growth and value-creation assessment); and commercial due diligence support for investors.
Is Nicola available for interim or advisory work?
Yes. I'm open to a mix: stepping in to lead the commercial agenda for a defined period, ongoing advisory, or a defined project. The best way to start is a short conversation about the problem you're trying to solve.
How do I get in touch with Nicola Blackford?
Email nicola@nicolablackford.com or message me on LinkedIn.
Outside work I'm in central London, usually on a bike, and never happier than mid endurance race or first through the doors of whatever the city has just opened. I'm fascinated by new technology, AI and health, and by the businesses being built around them.
Looking forward to hearing from you,Nicola