MICHAEL H COWAN
Global Strategic Advisor to Consumer Businesses
Better Business Decisions That Drive Growth.
ABOUT
Michael H Cowan is a strategic advisor to consumer-related businesses — focused on helping CEOs, founders, boards, and investors make better decisions under pressure — and ensure they’re executed with clarity and consistency.
His advisory work began in 2004, supporting PepsiCo through EU accession across Central and Eastern Europe—mitigating pricing and market exposure risks created by single-market integration and delivering over $1M in net annual savings.
This set the standard for a career built on high-impact decision-making. Since then, he has advised multinational organisations, challenger brands, and investor-backed businesses at moments where clarity, speed, and judgement matter most.
Prior to advisory, Michael held senior commercial roles at Procter & Gamble, Diageo, PepsiCo, and GE Capital, and has founded and operated his own consumer business—grounding independent judgement in his operating experience at the point where decisions carry real consequence.
Michael H Cowan
Cross-Functional Pattern Recognition
CORE STRENGTHS
I’ve worked across consumer, retail, and related sectors—but the value isn’t diverse core domains.
It’s pattern recognition.
The same issues repeat: misaligned teams, overcomplicated strategy, wasted spend, weak execution. I see them early—and focus decisions where they have the greatest commercial impact.
FMCG / Consumer
“Michael is one of the best operators I’ve worked with. He quickly understands the situation, adapts to the business, and applies decisive commercial judgement with real impact.”
- Senior Executive at Fortune 50 Company
Independent by Nature. Strong Network by Design.
PARTNER NETWORK
When it comes to advisory, most practices overbuild. We don’t.
I work independently—but when more is needed, I bring in trusted operators and specialist partners with deep, real-world experience.
No bloat. No layers. Just the right capability, applied where it matters.
My work happens where decisions are made.
Inside businesses. With leadership teams. Under pressure.
Whether it’s advising CEOs or CMOs, working through critical decisions, or challenging thinking in the room, the focus is always the same: clarity, alignment, and execution.
This isn’t theory. It’s applied judgement—tested in real environments, with real consequences.
I work with leadership teams and industry groups on the decisions shaping growth, capability, and performance.
No generic keynotes. No recycled frameworks. Just clear, commercially grounded thinking that challenges assumptions and improves decision-making.
In The Room
If you’re facing high-stakes decisions, we should talk.
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