Craig Hawthorn

Food & Beverages, Events, Private Membership Club

Turnover Employees Units
$10, 000, 000 15 2
LFL% Target% Countries
65% 5% 2

Responsible for the day-to day running of the business with a particular emphasis on sales and business development. Making sure that the business continues to grow by way of developing new clients whilst maintaining its existing customer base.

Key Responsibilities:


Identifying, developing and directing the implementation of business strategy.


Cultivating the company's reputation and brand in the market, with customers and suppliers.


Planning and organising the organisation's activities to achieve targets.


Responsible for the Profit & Loss for the business.


In charge of leading, motivating and developing the management team.


Liaising with officials of government departments and regulatory bodies.


Managing multi-cultural teams


Developing business plans and preparing comprehensive business reports.


Improving margins and maintaining a high quality service to clients.


Reviewing, refining and developing the strategy and direction of the company.


Building membership relationships that result in revenue and profitability growth.




Creating and maintaining links with other trade and professional associations.


Keeping control of business expenditure, ensuring it's within agreed budgets.

Key Achievements:
•Founder and developer of the Churchill WLL brand
•Achieved an alcohol licence for a standalone unit in a Middle East country
•Created the Brand, building concept, decorations and fit out
•Achieved a pre-opening membership +100 members.
•Created affinity with 15 local companies
•Created supplementary club associations
•Member of the chamber of trade
•Members activity classes established
•Held sporting events
•Created themed evening, and sponsored local football team







INGLOT Cosmetics - MENA and India, based in Dubai UAE

Cosmetic retail and franchised business

Turnover Employees Units
$3, 000, 000 350 30
LFL% Target% Countries
67% 22% 1

Responsible for the sales and operations in respect to all retail functions across Saudi Arabia, MAC employs 100% Saudi Arabian female workers
Key Responsibilities:
•Sales and operations for KSA MAC
•14 direct reports
•350 artists and store management 2015
•MAC Brand DNA in Middle East
•New Stores, relocations and refurbishments
Key Achievements:
•Sales are 22% ahead of plan, 67% ahead of last year
•Shrinkage ahead of trend, all costs are in line with ratios and targets
•Opened 9 new stores, with 26 planned for 2015
•Instigated soft skills workshops
•Promoted 15 female managers



Lex Consulting - Worldwide, based in Bahrain

Projects management and introduction to the Middle East for new companies

Responsible for the development of Marketing and Operations Projects in respect of all retail, corporate and franchise fashion, Training Centre, Business Centres sales, property and equipment sourcing, licencing, and rental, manpower planning in the GCC, and construction ensuring brilliant growth and profit earnings

Key Responsibilities:
•Sales revenue
•Training and Education Administration and leadership
•8 direct reports
•New ventures and financial services
•Contract administration, claims, certificates ISO
•KPI monitoring and reporting
•Company operations, IT logistics and property
•Client services

Key Achievements:
•Sales are 145% ahead of plan
•Set up and coordination of 22 new fashion units
•Created planograms for all stores
•Developed and implemented best practise Operations Manuals
•Fashion Sales Process Training created and implemented
•Operations set up, IT, HR, Finance departments
•Created strong links with Government
•Created Business centre format
•Negotiated 2 franchise partners in Saudi for equipment and construction supply

Zohoor Alreef - 4 countries, based in Saudi Arabia

Retail and franchised beauty stores

Just Tiling - 3 countries, based in Essex UK

Jewellery and fashion
•Warner Bros - Fashion and homeware