Introduction
Founded in Cheltenham’s thriving cyber and tech community, Gemba Advantage has become a beacon of innovation and resilience. Recently acquired by Actica Consulting, Gemba’s journey from its humble beginnings in 2018 to this monumental milestone is a story of vision, adaptability, and unwavering commitment to people and purpose.
Founded by Dave Mann, Shelley Wood, and Edd Savage, Gemba Advantage was born out of a shared ambition to challenge the status quo and redefine how businesses operate at the cutting edge of technology. This is their journey—one of inspiration for startups and established organisations alike.
The Spark of an Idea
It all began in 2018, pre-COVID, when Dave, Shelley, and Edd sat down to discuss their vision for a new kind of company. With years of experience in the tech sector, they had seen the potential for innovation outside the constraints of traditional workplace environments. The three founders shared a desire to create a company that was ahead of the curve—one that embraced innovation and fostered creativity.
“We wanted to be at the forefront of technology,” recalls Dave Mann. “It wasn’t just about creating a successful company; it was about building something different, something meaningful.”
The trio looked to Cheltenham’s cyber tech ecosystem for guidance and inspiration, learning from the success stories of others in the community. They also sought advice from outside the sector, bridging gaps in knowledge and incorporating lessons from other industries. This openness to learning and collaboration became a cornerstone of Gemba’s ethos—a value the founders continue to share with others looking to scale their own ventures.
A People-First Philosophy
From the outset, Gemba Advantage was built with its people at the heart of its mission. The founders believed that by valuing their employees, they would cultivate a team that was just as invested in Gemba’s success as they were.
This people-first philosophy was anchored by Gemba’s North Star—a guiding principle that kept the company aligned with its vision. “The North Star isn’t just a strategy document; it sets a marker to our people and our clients,” Dave explains. “It defines who we were and who we want to become.”
Early Challenges and COVID-19
As with any startup, the early days were filled with challenges. For the first two years, Gemba focused on establishing itself with a small team, proving our operating model and building the company’s reputation. Just as momentum was building, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, bringing the world to a standstill.
For Gemba, the pandemic disrupted supply chains, delayed payments, and strained partnerships. “It was the riskiest time for us,” Dave admits. “We had 16 employees to support and obstacles in every direction as the world shut down.”
Despite the adversity, the founders’ determination never wavered. Government support and creative problem-solving helped them weather the storm. More importantly, the team’s ability to adapt to the new reality allowed Gemba to create opportunity from threat and grow even during a global crisis. Within a year, the company doubled in size, a testament to its resilience and growing delivery reputation.
Scaling Up the Right Way
Growth brought new opportunities but also presented fresh challenges. As Gemba expanded, the founders faced the reality that scaling required more than just delivering exceptional work. It also meant introducing functions like HR, IT support, marketing, and finance—roles that weren’t part of the initial structure.
“Scaling wasn’t just about hiring more people; it was about building an infrastructure that could support a larger organisation,” Dave notes. The founders took the decision to create a C-Suite and hire Ben Waller and Abi Griffin as chief operating officer and chief people officer respectively. This phase of growth was marked by trial and error while iterating upon early business processes, with tough decisions about team structure and resources.
One of the most difficult aspects was iterating on the resource profile of the company as needs evolved. “It was one of the hardest parts of scaling,” Dave reflects. “We had to ensure that the business’s needs were met while staying true to our values. We are really proud of how we handled the situation never losing sight of our people-first principles.”
Strategic Decisions and the Turning Point
By 2022, Gemba had grown to a size where the board had to make a critical decision: continue scaling independently or seek external support. The pressure of rapid growth risked undermining the company’s culture and values.
“We didn’t want to lose control of what made Gemba special,” Dave explains. The board explored their options, seeking a balance between scaling effectively and preserving Gemba’s identity. They began to engage external expertise in key business areas to enrich the diversity of thought at the top of the company and ensure decision making was scalable and sustainable, whilst remaining ambitious.
The company continued going from strength to strength as it matured. Acquisition interest in the company was increasing, and by early 2024 had garnered significant attention, sparking interest from potential partners.
The Acquisition
By Summer 2024, the discussions culminated in finding a partner that aligned perfectly with Gemba’s vision and values, and where each company can benefit from the others’ strengths and create a combined proposition that was greater than the sum of its parts. “It was about finding someone who understood us, who valued our people and our culture,” says Dave.
The acquisition has empowered the company to scale further and grow its ambitions as part of a high performing aligned group, without compromising on its core principles and whilst ensuring business continuity.
Reflections and the Road Ahead
For Dave Mann, Shelley Wood, and Edd Savage, the journey of Gemba Advantage is one they look back on with immense pride. From its inception as a bold idea to its evolution into an industry leader, Gemba’s story is a testament to vision, resilience, and community.
The acquisition marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Gemba Advantage as part of Actica Group, with the team poised to continue innovating and making an impact in the cyber tech space. “We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built and excited for what we achieve next as one part of a cohesive, high-performing group. We know together with our new colleagues we can deliver even more value to our broadening customer base.” Dave concludes.
This article was developed from an interview with Dave Mann by Daisy North.
