"Healthy Culture Delivers Great Results": Leadership Lessons with Adam Green of IMO Car Wash
As he steps in to the role of President of IMO Car Wash International, Adam Green shares how a servant-leadership mindset has shaped his journey and brought him to this point in his career today.
For Adam Green, leadership starts with values—and a deep understanding of people.
His journey began not in a boardroom, but in a family-run handbag factory, working side-by-side with his father during weekends and school holidays.
“It was a real family business,” Adam recalled. “Everyone pitched in. That’s where I learned what hard work really meant.”
It wasn’t long before Adam realized he preferred practical problem-solving to classroom theory. He began working part-time at Homebase, the UK home improvement retailer, where he learned the ropes on the shop floor. When the time came to consider management training, he applied—and was swiftly turned down.
“I wasn’t willing to accept that,” Adam said. “So, I challenged the decision, asked why, and made my case. In the end, the manager changed his mind. That moment changed everything.”
The Power of a Conversation
That early moment of standing his ground taught Adam the power of speaking up—and the impact conversations can have on someone’s career. Years later, another pivotal moment came in the same place.
“When I asked about my next move at Homebase, I was told, ‘There are no glass ceilings here — only concrete ones.’ That was the night I decided to look elsewhere. It’s always stayed with me — how the words we choose as leaders can shape someone’s future,” he said.
It’s why Adam places a premium on open, honest dialogue today: “I try to be approachable. I want people to feel they can come to me with anything — especially when things aren’t going well. The faster you understand a problem, the faster you can fix it. Otherwise, you create a culture where people feel they need to hide.”
Why Culture Matters
In 1998, Adam made the leap into mobile communications, joining Orange to open the brand’s flagship UK store.
His hiring strategy? Recruit people you’d want to spend time with — not just strong salespeople.
It worked. His team broke every UK mobile sales record going. But more importantly, he said, “I thrived in a culture that genuinely wanted its people to succeed.”
From that point on, company culture became non-negotiable. After Orange, Adam spent 10 years at Starbucks as a District Manager and UK Operations Director, where he further developed a leadership style rooted in empathy, trust and team empowerment.
“I had incredible mentors at Starbucks,” he said. “That’s where I learned how to lead performance through people, not pressure.”
Achieving Impact at IMO
Adam joined IMO Car Wash in 2019, stepping into a business known for speed and value. But he saw an opportunity: to elevate the brand, improve the customer offer, and build a business with stronger foundations. Since then, IMO has transformed into a premium service-led operator—with EBITDA more than doubling.
“It’s been the most fulfilling six years of my career,” Adam says. “I’ve been inspired, empowered, and surrounded by great people.”
Following Driven Brands’ acquisition of IMO in 2020, Adam moved from UK Operations Director to Managing Director. In 2024, he was appointed COO, and has since stepped into the role of President, IMO Car Wash International.
His leadership philosophy hasn’t changed.
“I still hire for behavior and train for skill. You’ve got to know what kind of culture you’re trying to create—and hire people who’ll help you build it," he explained.
Adam brings that servant leadership mindset to every decision:
“It’s not about me. I come to work to serve my team. We win together; we lose together. When we’re working as one, we’re at our best.”