CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
AKI INVESTMENT Saudi & Dubai
Total years of experience :31 years, 4 Months
Identifying new sales prospects and driving business growth and requirements for product development that will be coordinated with R&D functions. Ensure the successful delivery of the business’s outcomes through the strategic development of business plans. Developing new partnerships/current partnerships for sustainable, long term business model.
Identifying new market/models/ new channels and strategies for international growth, to support franchise partners.
Built road maps and supported strategic planning on expansion.
Successfully negotiated terms to bring several Retail & F&B Brands to the GCC.
Al Abdul Karim - Real Estate, Shopping Malls, Retail, Franchising.
Responsible for all the strategic business units within the company reporting to the Board of Directors assuring accomplishment of the Groups Vision, Mission and Values. Oversaw the Leadership of Department Heads: Sales & Operations, Merchandising/Planning, Marketing, Logistics, Asset Protection, Real Estate/Facilities, Human Resources & Information Technology. Oversight of teams/offices/warehouses with full responsibility of all budgetary factors of the Retail, Property Management and Corporate solutions divisions in the Middle East.
Key Achievements:
•Profitable turnaround and growth of the International franchise and own fashion division within the Group.
•Increased stores from 110 to over 170, with over 1000 Staff, doubling the turnover over the last 2 years to a Target of 500m sar for current financial year. Streamlining & improving all Departments.
•Sourced, negotiated, launched & developed new Brands to market.
•Managed the property real estate to increase revenue and minimise loss making stores to drive profitability.
•Developed further own brand concepts & collections.
•Improved & enhanced relationships with Franchise partners.
•Launched in house E-Commerce & Omni-Channel
Advising on the way forward of Retail, Sales, and Operation within U-Mark, which is one of Saudi Arabia's leading sports retailers and distributors of personal care and home appliance products in the Kingdom with 52 Large Big Box Stores.
Key Achievements:
•Responsible for establishing the strategic growth plan of the privately-owned company with the remit to go to IPO within 12 months resulting in a successful conclusion.
•Negotiated and added premium priced brands along with distribution licence of International Nutrition Brands in the GCC.
•Developed and implemented new store concept, from site selection/conception/planning/delivery.
•Manager property portfolio, agreed leases with agents, improved store maintenance, negotiated new contracts, improved terms, reduced costs by 20%.
•Initiated the start-up of a Far East office to focus on day to day relationships, Quality Control, Logistics etc.
•Launched in house E-Commerce & Omni-Channel
ADVISOR: Cavalli Café, Kingdom Tower, Riyadh, KSA. Advised Board on Location, Fit Out,
Multi franchise Retail F & B & Entertainment business operating globally, trading over 2000+ shops, representing 80+ of the world’s leading brands, across 17 countries.
Responsible for the P&L of a Division within Alhokair Fashion and F&B including Project Management, Launch & Operations.
Accountable for maintaining successful partnerships with all franchise partners that enabled a sustainable long-term business model.
Accountable for all aspects of the Divisions Development; Budgets, Planning, Organisation, Expansion & Performance, Managing the business through Divisional Managers and Brand Managers; Including Retail Operations, Merchandising, Marketing, Visual Merchandising, HR, Logistics, Customer Care, Property, Finance, Audit, Loss Prevention, and IT to deliver the corporate goals.
Key Achievements:
•Responsible for directing and leading the strategic direction of franchise brands; Arcadia Group (Miss Selfridge & Wallis), Nine West, LaSenza & Quiz.
•Increased stores to 250 across the region and LFL by 10 to 60%.
•Developed and launched 62 stores: both Brand Concept & Brand Collections, for new Kids Brand FG4 across the kingdom.
•Developed and launched 40 stores/kiosks: FIFA stores for the S. Africa World Cup across the kingdom.
•Opened and launched over 150 stores in 2 years (closing 14 none profit making stores).
•Member of the Management Team to deliver and operate the Edutainment Brand; KidZania
•Launch of new Malls within the portfolio including Zoning, Marketing, HR & Operations: Haifa (Jeddah), Tala (Riyadh), Al Hamra (Riyadh), Salaam Mall (Jeddah), Juri Mall (Taif), Al Ahsa Mall (Hofuf).
•Managing Malls during peak trading times (Ramadan etc.):
•Hayat (Riyadh), Kingdom Tower (Riyadh), Andalus (Jeddah), Mall of Dhahran (Dammam).
•Staff Training Academy set up for Saudi Females, on-going training, programs, motivational techniques, incentives, rewards etc……. Result: first month employed and trained 600 Ladies to start their Careers in Work!
for the Launch, Development & Brand Management of Puma across Bahrain & Qatar.
•Development of the TechnoGym Brand to all major Hotels throughout.
OPERATIONS MANAGER: Principles, UK. Ladies and Men UK Fashion Retail Company 7 Years
•Oversee all Operational strategies and execution for the brand. Driving and delivery of sales performance, Business plans, budgets, controllable and staff costs. Managing sales objectives and operational costs in line with agreed business plan.
GM FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT: Weider Health & Fitness, UK. No 1 Sports H&F Company in the USA & Worldwide 8 Years
•Oversee all company owned Store Operations and New Franchise Store strategies, execution and legal set up.
•Successful launch of the famous Health Club Brand from Santa Monica, California; World Gym.
•Completed the buy-out and conversion of 26 stores to Workout World.
Various Postions In The UK
Sports & Fitness
Fashion Retail