Independent thinking.
Practical business experience.
SMS Consultants is an independent strategy and transformation consultancy working with ambitious owner-managed businesses. We help leadership teams move beyond general growth aspirations to a clear understanding of the capabilities, decisions and actions required to deliver them.
Our approach combines structured assessment with experienced consultant judgement. We believe effective transformation starts with a clear diagnosis, honest prioritisation and realistic implementation plans.
John Hearns —Founder, SMS Consultants | Strategic Growth & Business Transformation Business Consultant
John is an experienced business leader, entrepreneur and strategic advisor with over 30 years' experience spanning senior corporate leadership, business development, innovation and organisational transformation.
His career includes senior commercial and operational positions with leading international businesses, including Vodafone, AB InBev, Aryzta and Kerry Group. John also brings first-hand entrepreneurial experience. As CEO of a UK-based digital health technology company, he led the business from concept through product development and commercialisation, successfully raising £1.2 million in private equity and bringing two innovative healthcare products to market.
Since establishing SMS Consultants in 2011, John has worked extensively with ambitious SMEs, entrepreneurs, third-level institutions and business development agencies. His consulting experience encompasses business strategy, growth planning, commercial feasibility, market validation, go-to-market strategies, innovation commercialisation and operational transformation. His international experience includes delivering innovation and commercialisation programmes through EIT Health across Europe.
A central theme throughout John's career has been connecting business ambition with the practical capabilities required to deliver it. This has led to the development of Ambestra™ — Capability Made Measurable, his proprietary business capability assessment and development methodology.
John's approach combines strategic thinking with commercial understanding and practical operational experience. He works closely with business owners and leadership teams to bring clarity to complex challenges, identify opportunities and establish realistic pathways towards sustainable growth.
John holds a BBS (Hons) in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of Limerick, is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and was elected a Fellow of the Sales Institute of Ireland.
How we work.
We listen before recommending. We connect strategy with operational reality. We distinguish important constraints from less urgent opportunities. And we help clients prioritise changes that can be delivered and measured.