Wes Arens

Wes Arens is a distinguished business leader, keynote speaker, and consultant with a rich background in sales, business forecasting, and digital strategy. His extensive experience spans across several high-profile roles, including his tenure as a Managing Director at Alvarez & Marsal, a leading management consulting firm. However, it is his role as Vice President of Merchant Services and Sales at Amazon that truly stands out. At Amazon, Arens was responsible for the commercialisation of the enterprise services business, overseeing direct sales, channels, alliances, and partnerships. His work at Amazon, combined with his earlier career at IBM, has equipped him with unparalleled expertise in driving digital transformation and fostering innovation within large organisations.

Arens’ career began at IBM, where he played a pivotal role in the company’s transformation from a hardware business to a service-oriented enterprise. His work at IBM laid the foundation for his later successes at Syncra Systems, a supply chain management company specialising in collaborative planning, forecasting, and replenishment solutions. Throughout his career, Wes Arens has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to navigate complex business landscapes, making him an invaluable resource for companies looking to innovate and thrive in today’s rapidly changing market.

Arens’ approach to consulting is deeply rooted in the principles of leadership and customer innovation, a philosophy he honed during his time at Amazon. As a consultant, he collaborates closely with CEOs, helping them to refine their digital strategies and define a market point of view that delivers superior customer value. His method involves asking the tough questions necessary to challenge the status quo, assessing internal capabilities, and illuminating blind spots, particularly in areas like talent acquisition. Arens' strategies are designed to accelerate decision-making processes, improve business outcomes, and ultimately help organisations unlock their unique brand of innovation.

In addition to his consulting work, Wes Arens is a sought-after keynote speaker. He frequently leads workshops on a wide array of topics, including innovation, the Internet of Things, digital strategy, and creating a culture of agility and accountability. His speaking engagements are characterised by practical insights and tools that attendees can immediately implement within their organisations. Arens draws on his extensive experience at Amazon to provide audiences with actionable strategies that promote a culture of experimentation, scaling, and continuous improvement.