John Armstrong is a globally recognized executive and board leader with over 25 years of experience building and scaling businesses across industrial technology, manufacturing, logistics, and B2B marketplaces. Known for his ability to simplify the complex and drive operational clarity, John brings a rare blend of entrepreneurial vision and enterprise discipline to every boardroom and executive team he advises. His leadership journey is rooted in hands-on transformation, marketplace innovation, and the cultivation of high-performance teams that can scale with purpose and precision. From founding and growing Reibus into a $300M+ industrial tech platform to mentoring early-stage CEOs through Catalyst Advisors, John’s impact is both measurable and enduring.

Born and raised in Scotland, John’s early years instilled in him a deep appreciation for resilience, discipline, and curiosity. He began his professional journey in Europe, where he held a series of sales and marketing leadership roles across the UK and continental markets. His tenure at companies like Jewson and Euramax allowed him to sharpen his commercial instincts, develop robust cross-functional teams, and begin forming the global business acumen that would later define his leadership style. These formative years gave John a firsthand understanding of supply chains, manufacturing ecosystems, and customer-driven innovation on an international stage.

John’s career entered a new chapter when he transitioned to the United States, where he led North American operations for OmniMax International. As Vice President and General Manager, and later VP of Marketing, Product, and Procurement, he was responsible for multimillion-dollar business units and a vast network of manufacturing assets. He oversaw P&L ownership, supply chain optimization, go-to-market execution, and commercial strategy, consistently exceeding growth benchmarks. His leadership was instrumental in repositioning OmniMax’s divisions for scale and profitability, and his board-level reporting responsibilities refined his governance capabilities in private equity environments.

In 2018, John took a bold leap into entrepreneurship and founded Reibus, a B2B industrial marketplace designed to revolutionize how materials are sourced and sold across fragmented industrial networks. Under his leadership as Chairman and CEO, Reibus grew from a nascent concept into a high-growth enterprise with over $300 million in annual revenue. John architected the capital strategy, raised significant venture funding, built the executive team, and implemented board governance that attracted top-tier investors. He became a trusted partner to stakeholders at every level, from founders and operators to financial backers.

Reibus wasn’t just a business—it was a vision brought to life through John’s unyielding commitment to transparency, efficiency, and customer-centric solutions. By digitizing and streamlining procurement processes in legacy supply chains, John disrupted an entire industry sector, bringing scalability and accountability to a space long dominated by manual practices. His experience leading Reibus through rapid growth provided him with unique insight into scaling operational infrastructure, data-driven sales engines, and investor communication frameworks—all of which continue to serve him and those he advises today.

In 2024, John transitioned into a new phase of his professional life by launching Catalyst Advisors, a consultancy dedicated to empowering venture-backed startups. As Principal Managing Partner, he offers executive coaching, operational rigor, and scale-up strategy to emerging companies across the technology and industrial sectors. His approach is collaborative yet direct, marrying hands-on engagement with strategic foresight. John’s clients benefit from a unique combination of deep operational know-how, capital markets expertise, and leadership guidance rooted in real-world experience.

Throughout his career, John has served on multiple boards and advisory committees, including as Chairman of Reibus and a board member for Euramax Holdings. In each role, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to governance best practices, financial oversight, and value creation. He has helped shape board structures, define committee mandates, and align investor interests with long-term operational priorities. His board contributions are informed by a comprehensive understanding of growth-stage dynamics and a keen ability to bridge the perspectives of operators and capital providers.

In addition to his corporate achievements, John is an accomplished public speaker and industry thought leader. He has headlined conferences and shared insights on digital transformation, leadership development, and scaling industrial platforms. These engagements reflect his passion for knowledge-sharing and his belief in the power of narrative to drive organizational alignment. Whether presenting to a board, leading a company meeting, or addressing a global audience, John’s communication style is marked by clarity, candor, and connection.

Internationally experienced, John has conducted business across France, Germany, Spain, Scandinavia, Korea, China, and Taiwan. His global fluency is both cultural and commercial, shaped by decades of cross-border engagements, M&A activity, and diverse team leadership. His Scottish roots remain central to his identity, anchoring him in values of authenticity, perseverance, and humility—qualities that resonate across every leadership role he assumes.

Away from the boardroom, John is a passionate cyclist who once raced professionally in France, and he maintains a lifelong love of sports and coaching. As a golf instructor and endurance athlete, he draws parallels between athletic discipline and leadership excellence. His personal pursuits reflect the same commitment he brings to business—showing up with focus, pushing boundaries, and always striving to improve.

Character:
John is driven by a deep-seated desire to make a positive difference in the lives of those he leads and advises. His integrity, humility, and unwavering commitment to doing the right thing underpin every decision he makes.

Knowledge:
With over two decades of leadership across public, PE-backed, and venture-funded companies, John brings unmatched expertise in scaling businesses, navigating complexity, and delivering strategic outcomes. His insights are grounded in lived experience, not theory.

Strategic:
John excels at seeing around corners and connecting dots across disciplines—from finance and supply chain to marketing and governance. His strategic thinking is both visionary and practical, enabling him to guide organizations through growth, transition, and transformation.

Communication:
A gifted storyteller and transparent communicator, John builds trust quickly with teams, stakeholders, and board members. His clarity, empathy, and ability to distill complex ideas into actionable priorities set him apart as a true leadership partner.