Brand Retail and Wholesale Business Advisor
ABC
Total years of experience :4 years, 0 Months
Brand Retail and Wholesale Business Advisor
December 2011 - November 2015.
Built a Brand from conception to completion, designed logo, uniforms, sourced goods and delivered finished articles ready for use.
Managed new concept for launch of chain of Retail stores in the UAE.
Identified new Brands and Franchises which would be successful Retail propositions in the MENA region.
Director Inca Textiles UK Ltd March 2008 - August 2011.
Product Director for new venture importing textiles from South America. Representing vertical and ethically compliant factories, as an alternative to Far East and Turkish production for UK and European customers.
Organised meetings with the country’s top producers and Inca Textiles through ADEX, Peru’s export association.
Set up offices and showroom in London to showcase Peruvian product.
Visited and inspected the main factories in Lima.
Produced ranges for High Street retailers and Brands.
Senior Buyer/Brand Manager (Menswear). QS Group. March 2004-September 2007.
Responsible for the design, sourcing and purchasing of all menswear product lines within the QS group for 207 UK stores. In 2004 sourced and acquired the “Le Shark” label for the group.
Brand Manager for Le Shark, duties included planning and forecasting sales, stock reviews, seasonal markdowns control of budgets, advertising and promotional activity.
Achieving company targets and margins and reporting to the board at weekly trading meetings.
Sourcing suppliers and developing new product lines.
Ensuring product supply and quality in accordance with the groups best practice policy.
Managing Director - Belford Enterprises - Glasgow. 2001-2004.
Set up brand management consultancy providing services to the UK retail clothing industry. Clients included - The Original Shoe Company, The Officers Club, and USC. Opened and operated two “Esprit” stores in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Sourced and advised The Original Shoe Company in the purchase of the “Ricci” brand label and managed its distribution into 50 stores in the UK.
Produced new fashion concept for the Officers Club. Sourced and designed new ladies range under the Sienna brand.
Sourced and produced product lines for the USC own label brand.
Buying Director/Brand Manager - Bavard Group - 1981-2001
Created private label Jeanster Originals. Promoted as part of the newly formed board of directors to take the Business forward. The Business expanded to 60 Jeanster and 15 franchise stores with an annual turnover rising from 30-70 million GBP.
Working as part of the company’s senior management team, with primary responsibility for controlling buying, brand activities and product ranges.
Designing and sourcing new product ranges for the ‘Jeanster Originals’ brand.
Brand Manager for the Levis, Fruit of the Loom, Russell Athletic and Lee Cooper franchise stores. Managed all planning, advertising, markdown budgets, stock selection and stock and sales reviews.
Negotiating prices and financial terms and conditions to optimize profit levels and minimise expenses and reduce long-term stockholdings and waste.
Regular travel throughout Europe and Far East to source upcoming labels and designs.
“Higher” grades – English, Geography and Modern Studies. “O” grades – Arithmetic, English, Modern Studies, Geography and Principles of Accounting.