Hi, I’m Mark

A little about me…

I’m an author, serial entrepreneur, innovation keynote speaker, board adviser and angel investor.

As an entrepreneur, I co-founded Beer Hawk (exited to AB InBev), an e-commerce venture which I scaled from two mates in a shed, to a thriving business with over £80m in revenues.

As an intrapreneur, I launched PerfectDraft for AB InBev, before leading the global roll-out of this D2C in-home beer machine. I’ve also led innovation teams at Procter & Gamble and Lloyds Banking Group.

As a board adviser, I advise numerous start-ups and Chaired the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, responsible for local economic development for a city region housing 2.3m people and a £60 billion economy.

And as an angel investor, I’ve backed more than a dozen start-ups, providing ongoing mentoring for the founding teams on their growth journeys. I back companies with high ambitions and a commitment to sustainability.

So, why listen to me? 

My business experience is unique.

I’ve always worked in innovation. It’s at the heart of everything I do.

Crucially, my innovation experience has spanned both entrepreneurial start-ups and working for large corporations.

That juxtaposition is at the core of my book The Entrepreneur Within, and the central point of many of my talks.

It is about fostering and maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset while navigating the restrictions of a large organisation.

I’ve first-hand experience of the very common challenges that innovators within a large organisation face.

Entrepreneurs are brilliant at innovation but often need help to scale; corporations scale effectively but struggle to innovate.

But I know, all businesses can navigate this with the right tools.

Who will benefit? 

Innovation is essential for all businesses, without exception. They need to innovate and innovate efficiently.

No matter the size or industry.

My insights are equally relevant for universities and charities, for council organisations and for educational trusts. I’ve been on trade missions and chaired council meetings. And I’ve spoken to all of them.

Innovation can change the world. And I want to play my part.

What can you expect? 

I’m here to inspire, to open the doors of innovation, to make everyone in the room feel their ideas are valuable… because they are.

But I also offer the tools to deal with these pain points.

  • We’re scared of failure.

  • We can’t articulate a coherent strategy for growth or differentiation. 

  • We’re too reactive to market pressures and competition,
    not creating our own path. 

  • We’re falling in love with the solution, not the problem.

  • Our new initiatives don’t fit in with our mission.

  • The ideas we do have don’t cut through. 

  • We have too many naysayers who block progress. 

  • We don’t seem to prioritise the most promising ideas. 

  • We’re too internally focussed. 

  • We don’t have access to the very best talent. 

  • We’re on the back foot with the latest market developments.

Clients include

Innovation coaching

If you’re looking for more hands-on support, where Mark works directly with your business, please visit his company Red Line Foundry.

FAQs

Who is Mark Roberts?

Mark Roberts is a serial entrepreneur, angel investor, board adviser, and award‑winning keynote speaker based in Yorkshire. He co‑founded Beer Hawk (acquired by AB InBev), launched PerfectDraft for InBev, and has led teams at Procter & Gamble and Lloyds Banking Group.

What services does Mark offer?

Speaking & hosting: Keynote speeches, panels and event hosting, energising audiences with actionable innovation insights.

Coaching & workshops: Facilitation of innovation workshops and one‑to‑one coaching through his company, Red  Line  Foundry.

Advisory roles & angel investing: Board advisory services and investment in purpose‑driven startups.

What topics does he speak about?

The FORGE Methodology: A step‑by‑step system to foster innovation-led growth.

Empowering Entrepreneurs Within: Maintaining entrepreneurial culture in large organisations.

The Ecosystem Advantage: The value of collaboration and connected innovation.

Other topics include innovation vs red tape, human creativity in the age of AI, and scale‑up journeys, all tailored to your organisation.

Who has Mark worked with?

Mark has collaborated with notable clients and organisations including AB InBev, Procter & Gamble, Lloyds Bank, Adobe, The Entrepreneurs' Forum, Red Kite Learning Trust, Ward Hadaway, Neon Leaders, and many more.

Does Mark Roberts speak internationally?

Yes. While Mark is proudly Yorkshire-based and works primarily across the UK, he is also available for global speaking engagements. His work spans Europe, the US, the Middle East, and most recently, Japan delivering keynotes, workshops and advisory sessions to international audiences. Whether in-person or virtual, Mark brings his energetic, entrepreneurial insights to stages around the world.

Does he offer coaching outside speaking?

Yes, through Red Line Foundry, Mark provides immersive innovation coaching and facilitation for both teams and individuals looking to establish innovation frameworks.