Aide de MD

Meet The Team

MANAGING DIRECTOR

Charlotte Rimmer

Charlotte Rimmer and Aide de MD have become synonymous with integrity, honesty, and a pro-active attitude to the constant challenge of achieving work/business/living balance. With over 20 years prior experience in sales and operational management in both London and Sydney, she provides a hands-on, proactive approach to business management. Charlotte has also been a member of a number of business advisory boards including Chair for Gillian Fox Group Advisory Board.

Charlotte has worked with hundreds of executives across a range of businesses. Her success is measured through her clients’ achievements. Her motivation continues to be the satisfaction gained from guiding those clients to achieve their goals while managing extraordinary challenges along the way.

Portfolio

  • Manly Woman of the Year 2022
  • President of the Manly Business Chamber 2021 – 2023
  • Recognised advisor at The Advisory Board Centre
  • Graduate and member of the AICD
  • Member of the NSW Small Business Reference Group
  • Featured repeatedly in the AFR

Charlotte lives on the Northern Beaches in Sydney with her husband and two sons. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, the beach and being with her family and of course, Freddy the dog.

Please contact us for detailed client references.

Charlotte Rimmer
Managing Director

If you would like to discuss the next stage for your business, please contact Charlotte Rimmer on +61 419 416 116.

  1. Charlotte and Manly Business Chamber

    MANLY BUSINESS CHAMBER
    To support + connect + prosper

    President, Charlotte Rimmer

    Manly Business Chamber is a not-for-profit where all roles are voluntary, except two part-time executive officers. Charlotte joined the Chamber as a member to develop a social/peer network locally. On joining, she saw the potential to contribute her skills to develop and grow the organisation and was elected a committee member in 2019. In October 2020, Charlotte was elected president with a mandate to lead and speak on behalf of the membership. Her role requires direct relationships with local government (Northern Beaches Council), State and Federal Government.

    Extract from the Chamber website:

    The Manly Business Chamber works strategically to encourage sustainable business growth and market Manly as a stunning and unique business and tourist destination. We encourage the Manly business community to work cohesively to accomplish collectively, what they cannot achieve as individuals.


    Recent links to articles related to Chamber:-

    Filming Day for Marketing Video

    Recovery through COVID panel

    Channel 10 interview re Ringfencing the Beaches

    Show me the money! Beaches businesses call time on grant delay

    Taking Care of Business_Tawny Frogmouth_Feb 2021

    Peninsula Living Magazine, Feb 2022

  1. Read : Interview With Charlotte

    Who is Aide de MD?

    Me, Charlotte Rimmer, and I support the MD / CEO of businesses across a broad range of industries including design, NFP, training, construction, recruitment, cosmetics.

    Why?

    Because business owners have a full-time job running a business and as their business grows their time doesn’t increase incrementally.

    What are the main issues?

    Business strategy and investing time on the business rather than in the business. It’s challenging to split time between ensuring business is effective and profitable and improving efficiencies, infrastructure and staff management to enable growth.

    When and how do you support the growth of a business?

    Through regular reviews and clear accountability in meetings set fortnightly, monthly or quarterly. The key is to ensure that the review is consistent and that the difficult, challenging issues are addressed, not ignored.

    Is this successful?

    Yes, addressing and confronting issues which could be avoided due to time constraints generally gives control back to the MD.

    How do you address issues?

    By setting time aside to consider if the business is on track – asking questions about what they expected of their business, purpose and vision.

    What are the outcomes of these meetings?

    Advancement of goals, clarity in direction, review of the business plan and peace of mind for the MD.

    What if it is 100% on track?

    Fantastic, applause all around, time to congratulate them and encourage further growth and perhaps some risk taking to move to the next stage.

    What if the business isn’t where they expected it to be?

    Aide de MD asks the questions and considers other angles that may not have been raised. Encourage a revisit of the initial business plan and supporting documents, objectively consider if they are still relevant or need changing to support the direction of the business.

    Aide de MD asks how and why – running a reverse appraisal on the business through objective eyes, sometimes challenges the MD.

    How do they like being challenged?

    Sometimes they love it, because it is the first time someone has genuinely asked them about their business and they can answer without fear of retribution. Even close management teams find it difficult to question the direction of the principal.

    Does the MD get defensive?

    No, the role of Aide de MD is to offer a safe environment for the MD to consider, review and discuss their business in a non-confronting manner.

    Is this successful?

    Yes, it is important to be direct and consider the issues from all angles with flexibility and empathy.

    Do MDs like this?

    Yes, MDs often admit that the reason some aspects of their business aren’t developed is due to their own lack of accountability or ability to be side-tracked into other more “interesting” responsibilities.

    What are your values?

    Collaboration, honesty, integrity; a desire to help others to do the right thing and succeed in their own endeavours while offering a professional, intelligent service.

FACILITATOR / COACH

Alison Billaud

Alison has over 15 years’ experience as a business coach enabling business leaders to manage their teams and operating systems more efficiently to allow for rapid growth. Alison’s coaching experience ranges from unique hairdressing salons to corporate law firms and almost every industry in between. She believes that the principles of building a great team culture while simplifying operating systems should be applied in business. She loves to see clients smile with pride when they report back on the positive results achieved through coaching.

Alison’s love for facilitating success for people in business saw her launch an online business www.themilestoneacademy.com in 2018, selling practical pre-recorded video coaching to small business owners. She will work with Aide de MD while maintaining her own business.

When Alison is not working, she enjoys time with her husband and 3 children at one of Sydney’s Northern Beaches local beaches or entertaining people in their home. She loves travelling, wine, coffee and eating great food with friends and family.

FACILITATOR / COACH

Andrew Gemmell

Andrew has a deep interest in human performance and wellbeing, through “working well” and “living well”. He helps leaders understand wellbeing at any given time and it’s impact on productivity. Wellbeing and a strong sense of balance plays directly into the arena of better business outcomes, improved psychological safety and effective problem solving.

Andrew has spent the majority of his career in the recruitment industry as a business owner, leading and managing teams. Andrew has assessed thousands of people for their ability to communicate and display strong human skills and recognises what they can bring to a business through professional development. Equally, as a business owner, he has worked with a wide range of personalities to help them achieve goals through training, development and coaching. He leads by example and understands the challenges of running a business while producing outcomes for clients.

Andrew has a Bachelor of Commerce and is an accredited Organisational Coach (Level 1) through the Institute of Executive Coaching & Leadership. He is accredited in applying the Global Leadership Wellbeing Survey, is an Oxygen Advantage Breath Instructor (physiology of stress regulation) and studying a Certification in Self-Regulation through the MEHRIT Centre from Canada.

FACILITATOR / COACH

Angela Middleton

Angela Middleton is passionate about motivating and helping people tap into their strengths to be the best they can be.

Angela has coached and mentored many people throughout her career with her most rewarding work helping individuals one on one to build on their strengths and improve their confidence. She knows how to get the best out of people through an engaging, collaborative style to deliver great personal and business results.

Throughout her corporate career, Angela has gained valuable commercial and leadership experience leading small and large teams across various business units. She has held senior leadership positions with a number of organisations including NAB, Citibank and ME Bank.

With a passion for continual learning to improve her own knowledge and capability, Angela has a Master’s degree in Management, Certificate IV in Business and Personal Coaching, and Graduated with the Australian Institute of Directors.

FACILITATOR / COACH

Brigid Asquith-Hunt

Brigid Asquith-Hunt is passionate about motivating and empowering individuals and teams. Brigid utilises her strengths in communication, collaboration and facilitation to help clients implement strategies to:
– drive opportunities and growth;
– forge stronger relationships and strengthen the delivery of value;
– elevate effectiveness and improve productivity.

Throughout her 25 year plus career in the financial services industry, Brigid held a number of senior leadership positions. Her experience includes business strategy & growth, learning & development, practice management and client relationship management. Brigid works with Aide de MD while maintaining her own consulting business.

Brigid has a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sydney and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management from Macquarie Business School. Brigid is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, an Associate of CPA Australia and an Advanced Practitioner with the Institute for Sustainable Leadership.

FACILITATOR / COACH

Julie Williams

An experienced change leader and coach, Julie has experience spanning over 20 years working in leading FTSE 100 companies, including BP and Sainsbury’s. As you would expect from a lover of change and variety, Julie has held diverse roles across retail management, recruitment, category management/procurement, marketing, project management, change management, leadership development and coaching. Since establishing her own consulting business in 2010, Julie has continued to support the development of individuals and teams in a number of global organisations, smaller businesses and charities.

Julie has an honours degree in English and Linguistics, over 10 years’ experience as an NLP (Neuro-Linguistic-Programming) Master Practitioner and credentialed coach with the ICF (International Coach Federation) and is experienced in the use of several psychometric assessment methods. This rich and varied business background, combined with a love of coaching and an energising, yet calm and practical approach, ensure that Julie quickly builds trust with the people she works with, enabling them to explore and embed new ways of working.

Julie lives 20 miles outside London with her husband, two children and two dogs and enjoys dog walking, cooking, skiing and travelling – ideally with family and friends.

FACILITATOR / COACH

Nikki Heald

A corporate trainer, coach, speaker, author and businesswoman, Nikki Heald is described as a dynamic and entertaining presenter whose interactive approach motivates positive change. Her facilitation style is engaging and inclusive, enabling participants to easily transfer and integrate their new learnings.

Nikki Heald is the Director of Corptraining, established to provide dynamic, modern presentations appropriate to the business needs of today. Her programs focus on developing interpersonal skills which enhance business relationships and professional visibility, resulting in increased credibility and sales.

Regarded as a specialist in her field, Nikki delivers on-going presentations to major Australian insurance and finance companies, clubs, hotels, law firms, universities, sporting associations, government departments and a diversity of SME businesses.

Nikki co-authored the book “Views on The Way to The Top”, publishes numerous articles and her input is sought from various media channels. Additionally, she has presented at both national and international events.

Additionally, Nikki is passionate about professional development and providing people with the skills to build a unique professional presence combining confidence, consistency and credibility. All presentations are interactive and Nikki’s ability to connect with her audience ensures key learning objectives are met.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Sarah Bernie

With more than 25 years of experience in administrative roles across a variety of industries including tertiary education, architecture and outdoor media, Sarah brings a professional yet personal touch to her role as Executive Assistant.

Having worked with Aide de MD for over 7 years, Sarah enjoys managing behind the scenes to ensure Charlotte’s client commitments are met and supported. She also liaises with Aide de MD’s associates and arranges events.

When Sarah is not organising Charlotte’s busy professional life, she can be found attempting a Pilates or barre class, walking along Manly Beach or spending time with her husband and daughter.

MENTAL HEALTH MANAGER

Freddy

My goals are to work in a happy, safe environment, provide comfort, make my colleagues smile and get out of the office for a walk. I’m fluffy, friendly and very excited when anyone (especially Sarah)  comes to the office. As opposed to modern thinking regarding working in isolation, I like to work with people, all the time and if I can sit on their lap occasionally, then my day is complete.

My title is Mental Health Manager, but I’m really just everyone’s friend.

Freddy

    Aide de MD
    Aide de MD is a consulting service offering business owners confidential support and guidance, working with businesses across Australia and Singapore. Aide de MD specialises in accountability frameworks, growth strategies and businesses in transition.
    PHONE
    0419 416 116
    EMAIL
    enquiries@aidedemd.com
    ADDRESS
    PO Box 410 Balgowlah NSW 2093