Turning ideas into businesses built to last.
Wilkinson Collective is the portfolio home of Award Winning Entrepreneur Craig Wilkinson, bringing together more than 20 years of building businesses, following opportunities and turning ideas into something real.
Building what comes next
Whether starting something new or helping an established business navigate what comes next, Wilkinson Collective brings practical entrepreneurial experience to ideas, people and businesses at different stages of their journey.
From idea to Enterprise
Turning an idea into a real, sustainable business takes more than enthusiasm. We help shape the proposition, commercial model and plan — drawing on more than 20 years of starting and building businesses.
Supporting Business through change
Businesses rarely stand still. Growth, succession, restructuring or simply reaching the next stage can benefit from an experienced outside perspective.
Through advisory, mentoring and NED roles, Craig works with founders and leadership teams to challenge thinking, navigate change and help businesses move forward.
People. Process & Structure
Craig has an obsession with the things that make businesses work: good people, clear accountability, simple processes and the right systems.
The focus is on creating stronger organisations that rely less on individuals and give great people the structure and freedom to perform.
iZERO — the platform behind the people.
Born inside the Collective, iZERO is the workforce platform powering our events and hospitality ventures — and now built for everyone. Book, manage and pay staff in one place.
Businesses we've built, backed & grown.
A portfolio spanning technology, hospitality and live events — each one built with our hands in the work.
01
Coalition Event Services
Operating across 25 countries, delivering event staff to some of the world's biggest brands.
02
iZERO
Shift management and staffing software built for the events and hospitality industry.
03
Lunar
A destination restaurant and live-events space lighting up the Wedgwood estate.
04
Funicular Productions
Award winning immersive theatre and unforgettable live experiences.
05
The Great British Drive In
Open-air cinema set against Britain's finest stately homes.
06
Alberts
A neighbourhood cafe and community hub in the heart of the park.
Employees
Turnover Last Year
Operated Across
University of Staffordshire Business Awards 2026
Experience earned by building
Some lessons can be taught. Others have to be lived.
More than 20 years of starting, bootstrapping, growing and evolving businesses has brought successes, setbacks, difficult decisions and plenty of lessons along the way.
It’s experience earned by actually building businesses - navigating change, creating teams, solving problems and adapting when things don’t go to plan. Today, Craig brings that perspective to new ideas, founders and established businesses looking at what comes next.
"I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I’ve just spent more than 20 years building businesses, making mistakes, learning, adapting and carrying on. That experience has shaped how I think, the questions I ask and how I can help my teams & other founders navigate their own journey."
Sometimes it helps
to talk.
Running a business can be exciting, challenging and sometimes a lonely place.
Whether you're navigating growth, change or a challenge that feels difficult to solve — or want to explore a venture, collaboration, NED role, speaking engagement or podcast — let’s start a conversation.
Talk to Craig
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