About Lesley Galley - Founder of Ardella Business Consulting
I understand the reality of building and growing a business
I’m Lesley, founder of Ardella Business Consulting.
I know first-hand what it takes to build a business from the ground up. I’ve experienced the excitement of growth, but also the pressure of finding the right people, creating structure, and implementing processes while keeping the business moving.
Through my experience, I understand how quickly growth can expose gaps, create uncertainty, and leave founders carrying too much. I also recognize how vital business change management is; the right structure can lead to greater clarity, stronger accountability, and a business that is less dependent on one or two individuals.
Over more than 15 years, I have worked across start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs, and global organizations, leading operational improvement, governance, ISO certification support, and ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 readiness, as well as supplier management and overall business change.
My approach uniquely combines strategic thinking with practical, hands-on support, helping businesses introduce the structure they need without unnecessary bureaucracy.
About Lesley Galley - Founder of Ardella Business Consulting
I founded Ardella Consulting to give growing businesses access to experienced operational support without forcing them into complicated frameworks or unnecessary bureaucracy.
Many smaller businesses know they need more structure but are unsure where to begin. They may be growing quickly, preparing for ISO certification, experiencing delivery problems or relying too heavily on the founder and a few key people.
My role is to help identify what is really getting in the way and introduce practical improvements that fit the size, culture and ambitions of the business.
I do not believe in adding process for the sake of it. The aim is always to make the business clearer, stronger and easier to run.
Experience that shapes my work
Over more than 15 years, I have worked across start-ups, scale-ups, SMEs and major international organisations.
I have built operational structures from the ground up, led business transformation, developed management reporting and governance frameworks, improved supplier and project performance and supported organisations through significant periods of growth and change.
My experience includes:
- Creating end-to-end operational processes across sales, delivery, manufacturing, installation and client support.
- Leading ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 implementation and readiness work.
- Supporting an organisation through its first SOC 1 Type 2 audit, resulting in an unqualified report.
- Developing KPI dashboards, management-review processes and board reporting.
- Improving project delivery, operational efficiency and accountability.
- Managing international suppliers, logistics and complex client delivery.
- Leading organisational change, team development and resource planning.
This means I can look at a business strategically while also understanding the practical detail required to make change happen.
How I work
My approach is practical, collaborative and proportionate.
I take time to understand how the business really operates before recommending changes. I work with the people doing the job, not simply with policies, organisation charts or theoretical models.
You can expect me to:
- Ask direct questions and listen carefully.
- Identify the underlying cause rather than treating the symptom.
- Explain complex issues in straightforward language.
- Create practical priorities and clear ownership.
- Work alongside your team to implement improvements.
- Challenge constructively when something is not working.
- Recommend simple solutions wherever a simple solution will do.
I combine strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, so you are not left with a report that nobody has the time or confidence to implement.
What I can help with
Ardella Consulting supports growing businesses with:
Fractional COO and operational leadership
Helping founders translate plans into priorities, strengthen delivery, improve accountability and reduce dependency on themselves.
Operational Improvement
Reviewing processes, roles, systems, suppliers and management information to identify what is holding the business back.
ISO and Governance
Supporting ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 readiness, internal audits, policies, risk management, management review and practical governance.
People Foundations
Creating clearer roles, onboarding, performance processes, skills frameworks and consistent ways of working as the team grows.
Business Change
Helping leaders plan, communicate and implement change while maintaining engagement, trust and momentum.
Qualifications and Recognition
I hold three degrees, including a Master’s in Organisational Design, completed while working full-time.
My career has combined formal study with practical leadership experience across operations, organisational change, people management, compliance and business improvement in business ranging from large consultancies to start ups and SME's.
I was also selected as a finalist in the South West Business Woman of the Year awards from approximately 900 entrants.
What its like to work with me
When you work with Ardella Consulting, you work directly with me.
You will receive honest advice, clear priorities and practical support. I will not create work simply to make an engagement larger, and I will not recommend a complex system when a straightforward process will achieve the result.
My aim is to leave your business stronger than I found it: with clearer ownership, more consistent delivery, better information and greater confidence in its ability to grow.
