Sinclair & Rush was losing money when Peter Boulton became its European managing director in 2009.

A year later he had turned that loss into profit, which he then tripled a year later.

The Maidstone-based plastics manufacturer expanded after he led the takeover of Component Force in Rochester in 2014 but after 22 years with the firm, Mr Boulton had an itch he could not scratch.

“I got to the point where I thought it was time to acquire another company and I was pitching to see whether the American owners wanted to do that,” he said.

“They didn’t. I was slightly surprised.

“I decided to move on for what I believe were the right reasons. I left them with a very good relationship.”

Mr Boulton decided to launch his own consultancy from his home in Loose, Maidstone. The website for Intime Profit talks about how he can help firms with “operational streamlining” and “a revolution in enquiry to sales ratios” as well as “energetic implementation of effective KPIs”.

In effect, it would allow him to relive the challenge he felt when he became boss at his former employer, offering companies one-to-one support, running boardroom events and marketing services.

He said: “My story is about being somewhere for a long time and feeling I had learned a lot and had a passion for helping a variety of businesses doing what they are doing.

“I’m not necessarily helping them from tough times. My expertise is business development.

“I feel my skills can help any type of business share similar success to what I was able to do at Sinclair & Rush. Those reasons motivated me to make the jump.”

Embarking on a new career has opened up a series of opportunities for Mr Boulton, who is an ambassador for the Institute of Directors in Kent.

He was approached in November to take a look at Maximus Green in Ramsgate, a fuel efficiency technology developer. Since January, he has been growing the business as a general manager three days a week.

He has also joined Copper Bottom Investments, a vehicle to help businesses looking for funding. Its dream team of directors includes Terry Hewett, chairman of Chatham-based marketing agency Zest, ex-APC Technology chief executive Mark Robinson and Maidstone-based Watchfinder founder Lloyd Amsdon.

He said: “The challenge I need is to work with businesses to help them get going.

“I have to feel challenged in what I do otherwise I get bored.”

Why will your coaching business be a success?

“What I am doing now for other businesses is exactly what I did for Sinclair & Rush. I look at other people in the market place and there are many who have gone into business development without the credibility I have got. I didn’t just read the book. I wrote the book.”

Why should people ask for your help?

“I help them build and grow to unlock hidden profits. If someone without credibility was trying to preach that message then people can be sceptical. I have done this. I have even written a book on it and people can find out how I have done it. I’m not just a one-man band who is good at business development.”

How will your new business grow?

“Ultimately I will be looking for a partner to replace me in Kent when I move on to start up in the next county. I will be looking for 10 partners in the business who will be doing what I’m doing. I want to do this in every county around London. I’m starting up a Kent business but I certainly feel counties surrounding London don’t have the facilities or ability to access things Intime Profit can share with them.”

Your services aren’t cheap at £195. How can businesses afford it?

“If you have not got the resources then you can’t generate the income to bring in professional help like Intime Profit but if you are a larger firm like Sinclair and Rush it is easier to put some of your marketing budget aside and speak to people who can help you on your way. That is a small cost in exchange for the value for the value we can add.”

CV

Born: October, 13, 1961

School: Wrotham High School

Live: Loose, Maidstone

Family: married to Tracey with two grown-up children

First job: Assistant department manager at Debenhams in Bromley

First wage: “Nothing.”

Car: Audi S5

Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Film: Any James Bond

Music: Enjoys singing in the London Welsh Male Voice Choir

Last holiday: Belmond Reid’s Palace, Madeira

Charity: Parenta Trust

Typical day

Peter Boulton usually starts his day at about 7am by checking his emails.

His days vary from meeting client companies to working on improvements to their business.

He said: “I’ve decided I’m only going to work half days. I just haven’t decided which 12 hours I’m going to work.”

In his spare time he enjoys playing guitar and singing with the Rochester Choral Society.