MEET NIK SPENCER

From Builder to Exit Strategist

Nik Spencer – Founder, Stratworth Advisory

Strategic Growth & Exit Consultant | Founder | Investor

With over 34 years of experience building, scaling, and successfully exiting multiple businesses, Nik Spencer is a trusted advisor to founders navigating complex growth, transition, and exit strategies.

Nik’s entrepreneurial career began in 1992 with the creation of the UK’s first commercial-scale kerbside recycling service, sold to Biffa PLC in 1995. He later co-founded WCR Municipal, providing recycling vehicles during the rollout of the landfill directive, which was acquired by PFB in 2006.

In 2007, Nik established Pure Recycling on a 37-acre site in Warwick, building a cutting-edge MRF facility.

Navigating the 2008 banking crisis, he secured groundbreaking funding from Rugby Borough Council believed to be the first of its kind – before exiting the operational and land-owning entities to Kier PLC in 2010, while retaining and operating the commodities arm until 2018 under Mission Recycling.

His experience in innovation extended to cleantech, having funded and led HERU (Hybrid Energy Resource Unit) through to TRL7, in collaboration with universities and engineers. After successful deployment with Severn Trent Water and securing 81% of a major commercialisation round (led by Investec), Nik paused market rollout strategically due to political and economic uncertainty. The HERU IP remains secured, with a view to market re-entry in 2028.

Beyond environmental innovation, Nik has pursued ventures in high-value asset sectors. In 2017, he founded Spencer & Scott, a boutique hypercar business, and later co-founded Spencer Turnbull, which oversaw the historic sale of a hidden Bugatti 57S to Lord Bamford. Both businesses were liquidated strategically for tax optimisation following successful outcomes.

Today, Nik leads Stratworth Advisory and its flagship program SCALE2SELL(TM), helping entrepreneurs unlock growth and exit value. His approach blends practical experience with proven frameworks – guiding clients toward greater strategic worth, founder fulfilment, and investor readiness.

Testimonials

We work hard to build trust, deliver real results and support you every step of the way. Below are testimonials from clients who have experienced the difference of working with Stratworth Advisory — their words reflect our commitment to excellence, integrity and long-term partnerships.

Jeremy Stone Formerly Peel Hunt

Formerly Peel Hunt

Having worked with Nik Spencer for the last year, I have found him to be an inspirational businessman and leader.

Nik has great vision and an ability to spot a gap in the market and then the drive and determination to carry it through. Building a team and guiding that team are particular skills of Nik but he doesn’t just delegate he gets involved and very much sets the standards that need to be followed.

Nik is an entrepreneurial visionary and as such his ability to help young businesses through the early stages of their existence would be invaluable, especially those businesses that have environmental problems and impacts as their area of focus.

Andrew Bilbrough

moorcroft.io

The coronavirus pandemic was one of the most significant challenges of our time, and it had a profound impact throughout the globe. The corporation I worked for closed down my division, leaving me to navigate an uncertain future during an already turbulent period. Determined to take control of my destiny, I decided to start my own business—something I had very little experience with.

It was at this pivotal moment that I turned to Nik for advice, and that decision proved to be a turning point. I was full of enthusiasm and energy, but Nik brought me back to some essential truths about running a successful business. His insights and practical guidance during our single meeting laid the foundation for what would become a thriving enterprise.

Four years later, the principles Nik shared with me remain as relevant and impactful as ever. His advice not only helped me launch my business during a challenging time but has also contributed to its continued success. I am deeply grateful for his wisdom and support during such a critical period in my journey.

Alan Norbury

Chief Technologist

Siemens plc

Digital Industries

“Nik is one of the most inspirational entrepreneurs I’ve had the great pleasure of working with, taking HERU from a conceptual idea to early commercialisation is testament to his passion, drive, tenacity, communication, and collaboration skills.

Sustainability has always been at the heart of everything Nik has achieved, I would say he is ahead of his time, certainly ahead of government legislation and sustainability funding models.

One of the most difficult challenges for SMEs is gaining support from other organisations, collaboration is key, Nik has an incredible ability to collaborate and attract engagement whilst recognising the importance of bidirectional value generation.

I truly believe, with Nik behind the steering wheel, HERU will become a household name, a global sustainability game changer and a significant contributor to saving our planet.”

Prof Alan Norbury CEng FIET FIKE

Jane Hart

Head of Digital Communications

Siemens plc

Jane Hart, Communications Business Partner, Siemens plc

I would highly recommend Nik Spencer as a speaker or panellist in forums and events where you are looking for clear insights into the challenges and different approaches to managing waste and working towards environmental goals. Last year Nik kindly agreed to speak at our annual leadership forum. The forum brings together over 150 leaders from the UK and Ireland company and Nik gave a hugely insightful and informative, thought-provoking talk drawing on his many years as a leader seeking innovative solutions to the environmental challenge of waste in industry, business premises and homes. Nik’s passion for the sustainability topic shone through. He explains the issues clearly in a calm, well-informed, measured way that engages the audience and constructively facilitates discussion.

Nigel Green

Nigel Green
B Eng (Hons) C.Eng. M.I.Mech E

I am a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of Design/Development experience across many industrial platforms.

I have had the opportunity to collaborate with many talented leaders throughout my career. However, working with Nik Spencer, has truly been a standout experience. Nik combines exceptional technical expertise with a forward-thinking approach to engineering and a strong commitment to sustainability—qualities that are increasingly essential in today's rapidly evolving industry.

I have had the privilege of working alongside Nik for 21/2 years on the HERU machine (Hybrid Energy Resource Unit), where his deep understanding of engineering principles and his innovative mindset were immediately evident. Nik is not just a leader, but a true engineer at heart. His ability to translate complex engineering challenges into practical, scalable solutions—while keeping a keen eye on environmental impact—will be instrumental to the success of the HERU project.

What particularly impressed me is Nik’s commitment to integrating sustainable engineering practices from the very beginning. With his guidance, the engineering team were able to develop the HERU machine, which prioritized energy efficiency, resource optimization, and environmental responsibility—something that resonates deeply with my own values as an engineer. The result was a solution that not only met our technical requirements but also aligned with broader sustainability goals, reducing environmental impact while improving operational performance.

Nik’s leadership was also critical in fostering a collaborative, solutions-focused team dynamic. His ability to bring together experts from different fields and drive them toward a shared vision is truly impressive. Thanks to his leadership, we were able to achieve the goal of producing the HERU machine, a novel and innovative unit that uses previously discarded waste to produce hot water, whilst reducing the environmental burden of discarded waste.

With over three decades of experience in engineering, I can say without hesitation that Nik Spencer is one of the most accomplished and visionary leaders I have worked with. His ability to combine technical excellence with a strong sense of environmental stewardship makes him an invaluable partner for any organization looking to innovate responsibly.

I highly recommend Nik to any organization or team seeking top-tier engineering solutions that are both sustainable and highly effective. Nik’s unique blend of engineering prowess, leadership, and environmental awareness ensures that his work has a lasting, positive impact."

Nathan Bowles

Founder, Smart Solutions & Veezu

I first connected with Nik around 2008–2009 when I was establishing Smart Solutions. My father, who had known Nik since his Biffa days, suggested I reach out for some guidance. Nik didn’t just offer advice — he gave us our first major contract through Pure Recycling, which provided a crucial foundation for our early growth. Someone believed in us, and that someone was so well respected I knew we had lift off.

From day one, Nik’s strategic insight, clarity, and belief in our model gave me the confidence to scale Smart Solutions beyond what I had imagined possible at the time.

Working for and alongside Nik at Pure Recycling was a fantastic education for me. It was his relentless drive, passion for a project, eye for detail and ability to take teams with him that just shone through in his businesses. He was truly an inspiration and mentor that was there for me just at that moment when I needed it. I was scaling and at times felt like I was holding on for dear life! Nik was calm, reassuring and always gave me time despite his busy schedule, that time was invaluable for me and I’ll always be grateful for it.

While I later invited him to take on the role of Chairman, his commitments to HERU meant he wasn’t able to accept — but his informal guidance and support never stopped.

Over the years, we’ve become close friends, and I’ve seen firsthand the depth of experience, integrity, and generosity Nik brings to everything he does. He has a rare ability to think long-term, act decisively, and support those around him without ever needing the spotlight. One of a kind!

Louis Scott

Founder, Louis Scott Limited

I’ve known Nik since the early 2010s, and over that time he’s become one of my closest friends and most trusted business confidants. In 2017, we co-founded Spencer & Scott - a boutique hypercar business - and I’ve seen first-hand his commercial instinct, strategic clarity, and relentless drive to create value. Few people combine vision and execution as naturally as Nik does.

Nik has an extraordinary ability to distil complex ideas into simple, actionable strategy. His guidance has shaped much of my own journey - most recently as I established Louis Scott Limited, a strategic consultancy for premium and performance automotive brands across the UK, Europe, and the US. He brings experience, emotional intelligence, and a rare honesty that makes his advice both practical and transformative.

What truly sets Nik apart is his generosity of spirit. He doesn’t just advise - he invests himself in the success of others. Stratworth Advisory is the purest expression of who Nik is: insightful, trustworthy, and deeply committed to helping others reach their full potential.