About IBEM
IBEM was founded in London, United Kingdom by Geoff Hudson-Searle with the aim of providing international business and executive management support to companies operating in industry.
Many aspiring SMEs, growing mid-sized organisations and divisions of corporates do not have access to dedicated in-house executive support, nor do they typically benefit from the services of the ‘Big 4’ or large London strategy firms, but they do periodically require support with strategic start-up and scale-up growth related issues.
This is where IBEM has focused its attention since its formation, bringing together skilled teams to support clients’ aims across a range of sectors in an affordable, accessible and practical way
We believe in the power of leadership to make things happen. That power should be in the hands of everyone, not the few.
Leadership is a competency and a skill set rather than an inherited set of traits and that high performing organisations recognise that and prepare their organisation accordingly. Organisations that have high levels of employee engagement enjoy high performance on every key performance indicator from employee turnover to return on investment and shareholder return. Creating an engaged environment is a culture, not a program and must be approached systemically not tactically.
In organisations that means building a common language of leadership at all levels to have an immediate and lasting impact on business results, not just knowledge, wisdom or behaviours.
We help businesses succeed
If you want to grow your business in this economy, you need to become more aggressive and change what you have done in the past. Importantly you need to run your company with one eye on developing the right company and business foundation to succeed.
Unfortunately, companies of all sizes are currently in panic mode, slashing expenses and letting go of employees to survive. They do not have the internal staff or experience to quickly implement the changes required for business growth in a difficult economy. That is where IBEM and our business growth services come into action.
Our Vision
Geoff Hudson-Searle

Geoff Hudson-Searle is a senior independent digital non-executive director across regulation, technology, and internet security, C-Suite executive on private and listed companies, and serial business advisor for growth-phase tech companies.
With more than 30 years of experience in international business and management he is the author of seven books: Freedom After the Sharks; Meaningful Conversations; Journeys to Success: Volume 9, GOD in Business, Purposeful Discussions, The Trust Paradigm and Scars to Stars Volume 3 and lectures at business forums, conferences, and universities. He has been the focus of radio/podcasts and TV with London Live, Talk TV, TEDx and RT Europe’s business documentary across various thought leadership topics and print media with The Executive Magazine, Headspring/FT, Huffington Post, The Sunday Times, Raconteur, AMBA, BCS, EuropeanCEO, CEOToday across his authorisms and has been a regular lead judge at the UK’s business premier awards event, The Lloyds Bank British Business Excellence Awards which is the UK’s most prestigious awards programme celebrating the innovation, success, and resilience of British business.
A member and fellow of the Institute of Directors, associate of The Business Institute of Management, a cofounder and board member of the Neustar International Security Council (NISC) and a distinguished member of the Advisory Council for The Global Cyber Academy. He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Having worked for corporate companies Citibank N.A, MICE Group Plc, Enigma Design, MMT Inc, Kaspersky Laboratory, Bartercard Plc, and RG Group around the world, Geoff has vast international experience working with SME and multinational international clients. International clients with which Geoff has worked include the British Government, HP, Compaq, BT, Powergen, Intel, ARM, Wartsila Group, Atari, Barclays Bank, Societe Generale, Western Union, Chase and Volvo.
Geoff has worked in a broad range of industries including software, technology and banking which has given him a range of different experiences and perspectives of what can work, the importance of good people, process and how these can be applied and amplified to deliver results in different scenarios and paradigms. Geoff is known for bringing in a fresh viewpoint and sometimes challenging the status-quo with a strategic approach delivering successful change management programmes and launching companies and products internationally that deliver results. Geoff’s areas of expertise lie in brand strategy, business communications, business integration, business development and improvement, capital raise activities, pre-IPO planning, capital raise transactions, M&A with full P&L responsibility, which ideally equips him to strengthen global companies, develop SME and international business, and marketing strategies.
Douglas is a senior business leader, executive committee member with substantial global commercial experience and co-author of a globally published book on innovation.
Douglas has over 25 years’ experience in business and leadership offering international exposure in USA, UK, and South Africa, having successfully grown and led significant businesses while launching innovative new products and client services complimented by having completed major M&A transactions.
A Chartered Accountant and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) having completed his Executive Development Programme at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University (USA). Having worked for corporate companies Deloitte, PWC and Nedbank Limited.
International clients with which Douglas has led and executed successful transactions include Shell, Total, Anglo American, Anglo Platinum and Coronation Asset Managers. Douglas has exposure across a broad range of industries including agriculture, retail, construction, mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, public sector, toll road infrastructure, financial services, diamond financing, Fintech, education and bancassurance spanning the full segmentation from SME to multinationals.
Douglas is a game-changing growth catalyst and architect able to unleash exceptional growth through value innovation and transformational leadership. A driving and unifying force for orchestrating winning performance across silos, people, industries and geographies against all odds culminating in an internationally published business case spanning 22 000 employees and 6 million customers.
A future shaper, leading disruptive business model and ecosystem platform initiatives in an environment of trust and integrity that yields peak value for all stakeholders. Cultivates an atmosphere of collaboration and culture of engagement and service building enduring relationships with all stakeholders, ranging from clients and colleagues to regulators and government agencies.
Douglas Lines

Zach Mammadov

Zach is a results-driven entrepreneurial executive with over two decades of professional experience that blends corporate expertise, senior roles in financial advisory, corporate finance, and investments with hands-on entrepreneurial experience in managing award-winning start-up companies. He has a proven track record of setting up, investing in, and successfully selling tech and service businesses while actively overseeing their growth at various stages. His innovative ventures have earned him recognition as an Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 2014 and 2016, with one of his companies being shortlisted for the Best New Business in 2016.
With a deep passion for innovation and an unwavering commitment to discovering new business models, Zach has cultivated a solid expertise in conceiving, implementing, and promoting innovative solutions that align with global trends and organizational strategies. He believes that fostering an entrepreneurial spirit is vital for every company, regardless of its size, to continually reinvent itself and offer a compelling value proposition. In his advisory roles, Zach has played a pivotal role in driving the success of numerous businesses and teams worldwide, spanning diverse sectors such as oil & gas, solar energy, banking, private equity, agriculture, education, professional services, and many more. His insights, vision and expertise have made him a sought-after speaker for senior executives and start-up leaders, where he shares valuable insights on sustaining innovations and unlocking growth opportunities.
Zach is a graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, United States, and holds an MBA degree from Oxford University. Outside of his professional life, he enjoys spending quality time with his children, engaging in activities such as playing chess with his son and discussing history and cultures with his daughter. Zach is an avid traveller, culture and food enthusiast.
Mark F. Herbert has over 30 years of combined corporate management and consulting experience in industries ranging from high technology and financial services to healthcare and ecotourism.
His most recent corporate role was as Chief Operating/Relationship Officer for one of Oregon’s largest credit unions.
Mark is a Strategic Partner of IBEM and Principal for New Paradigms LLC a management consultancy specializing in helping organizations effectively and successfully embraces change and engages their workforces. He possesses a BS in Management from Arizona State University, attended graduate school at the University of Oregon’s Institute for Industrial Relations, and has received specialized training certifications in programs regarding facilitating change, sales and service management, employee communications, and human resources management.
Using a model based on an integrated, systemic approach that includes strategies to address five key elements: respect, responsibility, information rewards, and loyalty; Mark facilitated and led teams and initiatives resulting in increased market share, improved profitability, and received national recognition for programs in education and healthcare management while officer at a large credit union. He has been a speaker and presenter at conferences on a local, regional, and national basis on leadership, change management, and human resources related topics.
Selected Accomplishments
2007 Shining Star Recipient from the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce for Outstanding contributions to the community.
2007 selection to Credit Union Executive Society’s “Rising 100”- top 100 non-ceo’s in CU industry.
The development and implementation of a program to recognize excellence in public education incorporating the efforts of two Chambers of Commerce, three school districts, and a major university.
Mark Herbert

Rhone E Lee

Rhone has over 35 years of combined Human Resources and corporate management experience in high technology (integrated circuit manufacturing / data capture) and retail.
Most recently he was in a corporate regional role as the Vice President, Human Resources – Americas for a global technology firm (Datalogic).
Rhone is a Strategic Partner of IBEM and Principal for New Paradigms LLC, a management consultancy specializing in helping organizations effectively and successfully embraces change and engages their workforces.
Rhone possesses a Bachelors degree in Applied Behavior Analysis (Psychology) from the University of the Pacific, and has received specialized training and certifications in programs regarding behavioral interviewing, sales compensation, human resources management and leadership development.
Rhone has been a pioneer of successful Human Resources initiatives including: 360 degree feedback; market-based design of compensation and benefits systems, succession planning; right-sizing, talent management and acquisition integration.
Rhone’s global experience ranges from start-ups to large multinational corporations. He has supported the local community and Lane County’s partners through agency Board membership and partnership with successful cooperative business initiatives.
Selected Accomplishments
- Implemented a socio-economic work model based on an integrated, systematic approach that focused strategies to address four key elements: Ownership, Accountability, Empowerment, and Reinforcement
- The development and implementation of an initiative to bring collaboration and value to business and academia while simultaneously addressing the community’s needs. This was an innovative approach to provide employees with wholesome meals; support the local junior college with training and work experience in catering and hospitality; and support for feeding the hungry in the local community