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Meet Célia

I’m a strategic advisor and non-executive director with experience across fast-paced, complex environments - from FTSE 250 and private equity-backed businesses to family-owned enterprises.

My career spans executive leadership, digital transformation, and boardroom governance - with deep expertise in marketing, consumer strategy, sustainability, and technology.
 
I sit on multiple boards, chair committees, and advise businesses on how to lead through change with clarity and confidence.

Célia Pronto Non-Executive Director, Chair & Holistic Mentor

Areas of Specialism

Digital, Technology, Cyber, Mobile, E-commerce, Social Media, Data and AI 

Digital Business Innovation, Strategy and Transformation

Brand, Marketing, Customer and Employee Engagement 

Commercial, P&L, General Management, Leadership and Governance 

Stakeholder Management and Public Relations 

Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience Célia Pronto

Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience

Boards, committees and working parties

Current NED Appointments

01

2025 - Present: Direct Wines (family owned) – Non-Executive Director and member of the Audit & Risk and People Committees

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02

2023 - Present : Campden BRI (member owned) – Non-Executive Director, Chair of the Remuneration & Nomination Committee and Member of the Audit & Risk and Sustainability Committees 

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience
03

2021 - Present : Samworth Brothers (family owned) – Non-Executive Director, Member of the Audit and Remuneration Committees 

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience
04

2019 - Present : Moto Hospitality (PE backed) – Non-Executive Director, Member of the ESG Committee and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee since 2021 

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience
05

2018 - Present : South East Water (privately owned) – Non-Executive Director, Member of the Audit & Risk and Nomination Committees (and Chair of the Remuneration Committee since 2022)

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience
06

2018 - Present : All Party Parliamentary Group for AI – Member 

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience

Previous NED Appointments

07

2023 – 2024: Hostmore plc – Non-Executive Director, Member of the Audit & Risk, Remuneration and Nomination Committees ​​

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience
08

2016 – 2020: Yes to Life Cancer Charity – Trustee 

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience
09

2016 – 2020: Casual Dining Group - Member, Executive Committee 

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience
10

2012 – 2015: Ford Retail Group – Executive Director and Member of the Board 

Celia Pronto Non-Executive Director & Chair Experience
Executive Career | Celia Pronto

Executive Career

Work Experience

2023 -present

Impact Ventures Group (t/a The Digital Advisor and She Capital) – Founder 

Supporting companies through strategic digital transformation initiatives to unlock tangible business growth. Holistic mentor offering guidance and support to mid-to senior level women, fostering their personal development to fully realise their potential and achieve their goals 

Executive Career | Celia Pronto
2020 - 2022

Love Home Swap (Subsidiary of Travel + Leisure Co - £3m+ turnover) – Managing Director 

Director, P&L, Brand & Business strategy, Employee Engagement, Stakeholder Management, D&I strategy. 

  • Grew member retention at Love Home Swap from 40% to 50% within 8 months during Covid-19 

Executive Career | Celia Pronto
2016 - 2020

Casual Dining Group (£1b+ turnover) - Chief Customer & Digital Officer 

Executive Director, Data & Digital Strategy, Business Transformation, Marketing Strategy, Technology, Stakeholder & Customer Engagement, Multi-channel sales P&L & Corporate Communications

  • Grew pre-booked business at Casual Dining Group by 32%, delivering c. £11m in incremental revenue 

Executive Career | Celia Pronto
2012 - 2015

Ford Retail Group (£1.5b+ turnover) - Group Marketing & E-Commerce Director 

Executive Director, E-Commerce P&L, Brand & Marketing Strategy, Technology, Media, CSR, Public Relations, Stakeholder Engagement, Mentoring, Social Media, Internal Communications, Audit & Risk 

  • Developed the 3 year Multichannel strategy at Ford Retail Group, achieving 116% growth in bottom line profitability 

Executive Career | Celia Pronto
2010 - 2012

Bookatable (£500m+ turnover) - Vice President Marketing 

Executive Leadership, E-Commerce, Global B2B/B2C Brand & Marketing Strategy, Technology, Media, CRM, Public Relations, Social Media 

Executive Career | Celia Pronto
2006 - 2010

STA Travel (£800m+ turnover) - Marketing Director UK, Northern Europe & Africa 

Global Brand Strategy, P&L, E-Commerce, Multi-channel retail strategy, Public Relations, 

Media, Stakeholder Engagement, Fundraising, Social Media 

  • Developed new go to market growth and innovation strategies for delivering integrated multichannel customer acquisition activities at Livebookings and STA Travel, achieving a 22% and 8% ROI improvement respectively 

Executive Career | Celia Pronto
2003 – 2006

InterContinental Hotels Group plc (Intercontinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express 

£2b+ turnover) - Head of Regional Distribution Marketing UK&I/MEA and Africa 

E-Commerce, P&L, Franchisee relations, Web Development, Media, Stakeholder Engagement 

  • Delivered 70% E-Commerce revenue growth at IHG plc 

Executive Career | Celia Pronto
1994 – 2003 

Unilever, comdirect, smarterwork and Rank Group plc - Various management positions in organisations 

in South Africa and the UK, including Brand & Marketing strategy, E-Commerce, Media, CRM, partnerships, business process, logistics 

Executive Career | Celia Pronto
Board Leadership | Célia Pronto Non-Executive Director, Chair & Holistic Mentor

Education

  • University of Helsinki - Elements of AI 

  • Institute of Counselling - Cognitive Behavioural Therapy 

  • Strengthscope® - Strengths Coach Accreditation 

  • University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership - Sustainable Marketing, Media and Creative 

  • FT - Non-Executive Director training 

  • London Business School - Developing Strategy for Value Creation 

  • University of Hull, UK - MBA in Strategic Marketing 

  • Birnam Business College, S. Africa - Diploma in PR and Marketing 

  • University of Natal (Durban), S. Africa - Bachelor of Commerce Degree 

GET IN TOUCH

Whether you’re here for strategic support, personal growth or both - let’s start with a conversation.

Board Leadership | Célia Pronto Non-Executive Director, Chair & Holistic Mentor
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