From Siloed to Strategically Aligned

Organisation:

Stark

Industry:

Retail - Building & Construction

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The client

Stark Group is a business-to-business merchant and distributor of heavy building materials focused primarily on serving professional builders. They connect manufacturers with tradespeople by supplying materials, advice and logistics support for construction, renovation and maintenance projects.

Stark operates more than 1,100 branches and distribution centres and serves around 450,000 customers across Europe.

It has a strong presence in Northern Europe, with major business units in the UK, Germany and Austria, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

The challenge

There was no shortage of ambition. But Stark’s data and AI efforts had become fragmented – multiple teams working in isolation, unclear priorities, and overlapping responsibilities limiting progress. The organisation needed an experienced, pragmatic partner to identify what was holding it back and create a practical path to greater value.

what prospore did

  • Ran a focused data and AI strategy review, exploring high-impact use cases and value opportunities in line with the organisation’s goals
  • Aligned business and technology leaders around a shared future-state vision
  • Assessed capability across people, process, and technology to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities
  • Reviewed and redesigned the operating model and organisational structure for more collaborative, scalable ways of working
  • Built a phased roadmap with clear ownership, alongside a broader evaluation of cost implications to support confident decision-making
  • Identified near-term, actionable recommendations for quick wins alongside the longer-term plan

the outcome

  • A refreshed data and AI strategy, aligned to business goals and future ambition
  • A redesigned operating model with clearer accountability and less duplication
  • Stronger alignment between business and technology leaders around shared priorities
  • Sharper prioritisation, focusing resources on the initiatives that actually drive impact
  • Early wins delivered fast, building momentum for the bigger change to come
  • Greater confidence in investment decisions, backed by realistic cost evaluations

"

Partnering with Prospore was a turning point for our data and AI journey. They helped us make sense of a complex situation and gave us a clear, practical path forward.

Their depth of knowledge and real-world experience helped us reframe our thinking, focus on what truly drives value, and redesign how we work across teams. What stood out most was their collaborative approach, they listened, challenged, and supported us in a way that built trust and got results.

We’re now better aligned, more efficient, and focused on the work that truly delivers value.

Ian Goldsmith – Chief Strategy Officer, Stark

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