Julia Darlington
Business Mentor at Impact Central- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Nikki St Paul
Julia is the lady of pearly words of wisdom. On a discovery call today, she took time to understand where I'm at on the business owner journey. I left the conversation with clarity on the one thing that I'm going to do to progress. She is an encourager and she gave me the gentle push to look ahead and dare to dream what I want to see in the next year, 2 years and 3 years. Julia's style as a business coach is approachable, confident, honest and knowledgeable. So pleased we connected.
Jules Anderson
Julia is a wonderful coach. She brings a wealth of experience but combines it with compassion, humour and encouragement. I would definitely recommend her.
Tamara Lissauer
Julia was my General Manager in Melbourne Australia in 2016. During this time, I was in awe of Julia's leadership style and her expertise in the fashion industry. When Julia moved back to the UK and began taking on clients, I knew this was exactly the sort of mentorship I needed to further my career. Therefore, 3 years ago, during our first consultation, Julia asked me to list my goals. If I remember correctly I wrote: - To design successful ranges with high sell-throughs; - To retain my job as Designer during a global pandemic; - To be promoted to Snr Designer within 5 years; - To grow my family and find a healthy work-life balance; The confidence Julia instilled in me during our sessions, her advice, tools and tangible techniques, had a direct impact on me having achieved most of these goals within 3 years. These tools have made a huge impact on my professional and personal life and I can't thank Julia enough! I look forward to what the future holds and I know the lessons I have learned from Julia will be carried with me throughout my career.
Nikki St Paul
Julia is the lady of pearly words of wisdom. On a discovery call today, she took time to understand where I'm at on the business owner journey. I left the conversation with clarity on the one thing that I'm going to do to progress. She is an encourager and she gave me the gentle push to look ahead and dare to dream what I want to see in the next year, 2 years and 3 years. Julia's style as a business coach is approachable, confident, honest and knowledgeable. So pleased we connected.
Jules Anderson
Julia is a wonderful coach. She brings a wealth of experience but combines it with compassion, humour and encouragement. I would definitely recommend her.
Tamara Lissauer
Julia was my General Manager in Melbourne Australia in 2016. During this time, I was in awe of Julia's leadership style and her expertise in the fashion industry. When Julia moved back to the UK and began taking on clients, I knew this was exactly the sort of mentorship I needed to further my career. Therefore, 3 years ago, during our first consultation, Julia asked me to list my goals. If I remember correctly I wrote: - To design successful ranges with high sell-throughs; - To retain my job as Designer during a global pandemic; - To be promoted to Snr Designer within 5 years; - To grow my family and find a healthy work-life balance; The confidence Julia instilled in me during our sessions, her advice, tools and tangible techniques, had a direct impact on me having achieved most of these goals within 3 years. These tools have made a huge impact on my professional and personal life and I can't thank Julia enough! I look forward to what the future holds and I know the lessons I have learned from Julia will be carried with me throughout my career.
Nikki St Paul
Julia is the lady of pearly words of wisdom. On a discovery call today, she took time to understand where I'm at on the business owner journey. I left the conversation with clarity on the one thing that I'm going to do to progress. She is an encourager and she gave me the gentle push to look ahead and dare to dream what I want to see in the next year, 2 years and 3 years. Julia's style as a business coach is approachable, confident, honest and knowledgeable. So pleased we connected.
Jules Anderson
Julia is a wonderful coach. She brings a wealth of experience but combines it with compassion, humour and encouragement. I would definitely recommend her.
Tamara Lissauer
Julia was my General Manager in Melbourne Australia in 2016. During this time, I was in awe of Julia's leadership style and her expertise in the fashion industry. When Julia moved back to the UK and began taking on clients, I knew this was exactly the sort of mentorship I needed to further my career. Therefore, 3 years ago, during our first consultation, Julia asked me to list my goals. If I remember correctly I wrote: - To design successful ranges with high sell-throughs; - To retain my job as Designer during a global pandemic; - To be promoted to Snr Designer within 5 years; - To grow my family and find a healthy work-life balance; The confidence Julia instilled in me during our sessions, her advice, tools and tangible techniques, had a direct impact on me having achieved most of these goals within 3 years. These tools have made a huge impact on my professional and personal life and I can't thank Julia enough! I look forward to what the future holds and I know the lessons I have learned from Julia will be carried with me throughout my career.
Nikki St Paul
Julia is the lady of pearly words of wisdom. On a discovery call today, she took time to understand where I'm at on the business owner journey. I left the conversation with clarity on the one thing that I'm going to do to progress. She is an encourager and she gave me the gentle push to look ahead and dare to dream what I want to see in the next year, 2 years and 3 years. Julia's style as a business coach is approachable, confident, honest and knowledgeable. So pleased we connected.
Jules Anderson
Julia is a wonderful coach. She brings a wealth of experience but combines it with compassion, humour and encouragement. I would definitely recommend her.
Tamara Lissauer
Julia was my General Manager in Melbourne Australia in 2016. During this time, I was in awe of Julia's leadership style and her expertise in the fashion industry. When Julia moved back to the UK and began taking on clients, I knew this was exactly the sort of mentorship I needed to further my career. Therefore, 3 years ago, during our first consultation, Julia asked me to list my goals. If I remember correctly I wrote: - To design successful ranges with high sell-throughs; - To retain my job as Designer during a global pandemic; - To be promoted to Snr Designer within 5 years; - To grow my family and find a healthy work-life balance; The confidence Julia instilled in me during our sessions, her advice, tools and tangible techniques, had a direct impact on me having achieved most of these goals within 3 years. These tools have made a huge impact on my professional and personal life and I can't thank Julia enough! I look forward to what the future holds and I know the lessons I have learned from Julia will be carried with me throughout my career.
Experience
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Impact Central
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United Kingdom
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Professional Training and Coaching
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1 - 100 Employee
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Business Mentor
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Jan 2023 - Present
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Founder
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Apr 2016 - Present
BUSINESS SERVICES *Business and Management Consulting *Interim Services *End-to end Omni-channel Brand and Strategy Development & Implementation *Commercial Business Strategy & Leadership *Global Product Strategy & Range Building *Global Supply Chain Strategy *Global multi-channel Marketing Strategy *Process mapping, diagnostics and solutions *Team Leadership, assessment & development COACHING & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES *Business & Leadership Coaching & Mentoring-one on one and group *Empowerment & Success Coaching including tailored workshops and programs *EDISC Behavioural Profiling , NLP/Meta Dynamics
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AllBright
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United Kingdom
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Think Tanks
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1 - 100 Employee
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Community Ambassador-Female Founders
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Aug 2020 - Present
Supporting the Female Founders Community offering coaching, advice and mentoring. Supporting the Female Founders Community offering coaching, advice and mentoring.
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Unleashed Performance
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United Kingdom
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Health, Wellness & Fitness
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1 - 100 Employee
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Brand Development Consultant
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May 2021 - Dec 2021
Creation and launch of a branded, fully sustainable and environmentally friendly fitness collection. Creation and launch of a branded, fully sustainable and environmentally friendly fitness collection.
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Ted Baker
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Retail Apparel and Fashion
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700 & Above Employee
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Retail Consultant
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Dec 2020 - Jan 2021
Consulting for and facilitating the Senior Leadership Team on Critical Path Planning and processes. Consulting for and facilitating the Senior Leadership Team on Critical Path Planning and processes.
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Prime Advantage Capital Partners
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United Kingdom
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Investment Management
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1 - 100 Employee
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Partner
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Nov 2019 - Dec 2020
A partner in the Consumer Sector, specialising in Fashion Retail and Sustainability supporting and advising on strategic and business planning. A partner in the Consumer Sector, specialising in Fashion Retail and Sustainability supporting and advising on strategic and business planning.
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Associate
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Nov 2019 - May 2020
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Radley London
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United Kingdom
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Retail Luxury Goods and Jewelry
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200 - 300 Employee
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Chief Brand & Product Officer
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Aug 2018 - Mar 2020
Leading the Design, Buying, Supply Chain, Technical and Marketing teams in the development and execution of robust business strategies to drive Radley’s successful growth and expansion globally.
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Consultant
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May 2018 - Jul 2018
Consulting assignment co-ordinating the business' commercial platforms across Product, Merchandising, Technical, Sourcing & Marketing.
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HGA Group
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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1 - 100 Employee
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Fashion Retail Consultant
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Oct 2017 - Apr 2018
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Style Group Brands
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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100 - 200 Employee
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Product & Brand Consultant
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Apr 2016 - Apr 2017
Supported the CEO and Executive Team as consulting Brand Director in the turn-around of Jacques Vert, an iconic British Brand. Supported the CEO and Executive Team as consulting Brand Director in the turn-around of Jacques Vert, an iconic British Brand.
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Metalicus
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Australia
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Retail
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1 - 100 Employee
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Managing Director
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May 2015 - Oct 2015
Full P&L and Business Strategy responsibility for this multi-channel Iconic Australian Brand. Led and directed my team of 250 across all business functions to turnaround this heritage brand. Full P&L and Business Strategy responsibility for this multi-channel Iconic Australian Brand. Led and directed my team of 250 across all business functions to turnaround this heritage brand.
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Forever New Clothing
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Australia
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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Group GM Buying and Design Apparel & Accessories
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Jun 2013 - May 2015
Led and directed the Buying and Design team of 60 across apparel and accessories for this Au$300 million women's fast fashion brand. Built global winning product strategies for 300+ stores plus on-line ,across 10 global markets to deliver the +13% LFL Sales and +12% LFL GP. Led and directed the Buying and Design team of 60 across apparel and accessories for this Au$300 million women's fast fashion brand. Built global winning product strategies for 300+ stores plus on-line ,across 10 global markets to deliver the +13% LFL Sales and +12% LFL GP.
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Wallis Fashion
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United Kingdom
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Retail Apparel and Fashion
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1 - 100 Employee
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Buying Director
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Jan 2009 - Apr 2013
An iconic British women's fashion brand and subsidiary of Arcadia Group Plc. with 450+ stores, concessions and e-com. Led and directed the Buying and Technical teams of 40 people across apparel and direct bought accessories for this £250 million fast fashion business. Key outcomes: Grew sales by 20%, achieved +7% LFL. Mark down reduction of 6% and increased profit by 100%. An iconic British women's fashion brand and subsidiary of Arcadia Group Plc. with 450+ stores, concessions and e-com. Led and directed the Buying and Technical teams of 40 people across apparel and direct bought accessories for this £250 million fast fashion business. Key outcomes: Grew sales by 20%, achieved +7% LFL. Mark down reduction of 6% and increased profit by 100%.
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Tie Rack
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Chiswick, London.
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Brand Director
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Sep 2007 - Dec 2008
Formulated and drove out an innovative Brand Strategy across the Buying, Merchandising and Marketing to assertively grow the 270 store retailer across 27 countries. Formulated and drove out an innovative Brand Strategy across the Buying, Merchandising and Marketing to assertively grow the 270 store retailer across 27 countries.
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Monsoon Accessorize
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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Global Brand Director Accessorize
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Oct 2004 - Jul 2007
Led my team of 100 designers, buyers and merchandisers for the number one global accessories retail brand across 800 stores in 38 countries. Developed strong relationships with global stakeholders and external partners to drive our joint ventures.Provided strong leadership both creatively and commercially across women's ,men's and children's accessories. Key outcomes include: Successful brand expansion into increased sized space through innovative product extension, delivering an additional £15million turnover. Successfully entered 15 new countries and opened 200 additional stores through effective product development, buying and complex global grading. Successful celebrity endorsed collection launch in conjunction with global marketing campaigns. Developed and signed the brands first licensing agreements.
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Coast Fashion
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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1 - 100 Employee
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Buying Director
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Jan 2000 - Oct 2004
Led the turnaround of a loss making concession led retailer through brand repositioning and improved product collections, resulting in increasing turnover from £6million to £70million. Grew profitability by £6.75 million and intake margin by 18%. Led the turnaround of a loss making concession led retailer through brand repositioning and improved product collections, resulting in increasing turnover from £6million to £70million. Grew profitability by £6.75 million and intake margin by 18%.
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Habitat
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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500 - 600 Employee
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International Textiles Range Manager
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Jul 1998 - Jan 2000
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French Connection
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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Head of Ladieswear Product Development
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May 1994 - Jul 1998
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Marks and Spencer
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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Range Selector
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Sep 1988 - Jul 1991
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Education
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1984 - 1988
The Manchester Metropolitan University
BA Clothing Studies, Clothing design, production and business -
2015 - 2017
The Coaching Institute, Australia
Certified Master Practitioner of Coaching, Extended DISC Consultant, Life Coaching and Personal Development,Executive and Leadership Coaching, Behavioural Analysis -
1981 - 1983
King James Sixth Form College,Henley on Thames
Maths,Chemistry and Biology A Levels
Community
