Christopher Garvie
General Manager - International Markets at DESIGNER PARFUMS- Claim this Profile
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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French Elementary proficiency
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German Elementary proficiency
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Bio
Roger Meadows
I worked with Chris as my No.2 for over 7 years at Coty and if it were not for my retirement, I would certainly look to have him in my team again. Chris started out as a finance man… And he was terrific at it. One of those rare breeds who understands that the role of an FD is not to control and limit and bean count… but to facilitate opportunity, investment and growth through skilful financial management. Beneath his always smiling face is a very astute mind that possesses that hugely valuable attribute of good judgement. In our years together, Chris was also responsible for our Logistics+Supply and Customer Service departments, which as an international business was fraught with complications and in need of excellent communications and processing systems. He was instrumental in turning this part of our business operations into a highly efficient one with excellent KPI’s. During this time, I also asked Chris to take responsibility for our Marketing team. Although not an area of previous expertise, I believed that his management skills would help improve their effectiveness and performance… and he did just that. The 7+ years that we worked together saw 6 fold increases in our profitability and similar leaps in other key numbers such that the results of our division moved from one of the worst in the company to the 2nd most successful... This was due in large part to Chris. On leaving, I was very happy to recommend him as my successor.
Roger Meadows
I worked with Chris as my No.2 for over 7 years at Coty and if it were not for my retirement, I would certainly look to have him in my team again. Chris started out as a finance man… And he was terrific at it. One of those rare breeds who understands that the role of an FD is not to control and limit and bean count… but to facilitate opportunity, investment and growth through skilful financial management. Beneath his always smiling face is a very astute mind that possesses that hugely valuable attribute of good judgement. In our years together, Chris was also responsible for our Logistics+Supply and Customer Service departments, which as an international business was fraught with complications and in need of excellent communications and processing systems. He was instrumental in turning this part of our business operations into a highly efficient one with excellent KPI’s. During this time, I also asked Chris to take responsibility for our Marketing team. Although not an area of previous expertise, I believed that his management skills would help improve their effectiveness and performance… and he did just that. The 7+ years that we worked together saw 6 fold increases in our profitability and similar leaps in other key numbers such that the results of our division moved from one of the worst in the company to the 2nd most successful... This was due in large part to Chris. On leaving, I was very happy to recommend him as my successor.
Roger Meadows
I worked with Chris as my No.2 for over 7 years at Coty and if it were not for my retirement, I would certainly look to have him in my team again. Chris started out as a finance man… And he was terrific at it. One of those rare breeds who understands that the role of an FD is not to control and limit and bean count… but to facilitate opportunity, investment and growth through skilful financial management. Beneath his always smiling face is a very astute mind that possesses that hugely valuable attribute of good judgement. In our years together, Chris was also responsible for our Logistics+Supply and Customer Service departments, which as an international business was fraught with complications and in need of excellent communications and processing systems. He was instrumental in turning this part of our business operations into a highly efficient one with excellent KPI’s. During this time, I also asked Chris to take responsibility for our Marketing team. Although not an area of previous expertise, I believed that his management skills would help improve their effectiveness and performance… and he did just that. The 7+ years that we worked together saw 6 fold increases in our profitability and similar leaps in other key numbers such that the results of our division moved from one of the worst in the company to the 2nd most successful... This was due in large part to Chris. On leaving, I was very happy to recommend him as my successor.
Roger Meadows
I worked with Chris as my No.2 for over 7 years at Coty and if it were not for my retirement, I would certainly look to have him in my team again. Chris started out as a finance man… And he was terrific at it. One of those rare breeds who understands that the role of an FD is not to control and limit and bean count… but to facilitate opportunity, investment and growth through skilful financial management. Beneath his always smiling face is a very astute mind that possesses that hugely valuable attribute of good judgement. In our years together, Chris was also responsible for our Logistics+Supply and Customer Service departments, which as an international business was fraught with complications and in need of excellent communications and processing systems. He was instrumental in turning this part of our business operations into a highly efficient one with excellent KPI’s. During this time, I also asked Chris to take responsibility for our Marketing team. Although not an area of previous expertise, I believed that his management skills would help improve their effectiveness and performance… and he did just that. The 7+ years that we worked together saw 6 fold increases in our profitability and similar leaps in other key numbers such that the results of our division moved from one of the worst in the company to the 2nd most successful... This was due in large part to Chris. On leaving, I was very happy to recommend him as my successor.
Experience
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DESIGNER PARFUMS
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United Kingdom
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Personal Care Product Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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General Manager - International Markets
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Feb 2022 - Present
Leadership of Designer Parfums International business worldwide through both distributor and retail partners Leadership of Designer Parfums International business worldwide through both distributor and retail partners
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Karium Ltd.
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United Kingdom
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Retail Health and Personal Care Products
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1 - 100 Employee
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Head Of International EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa)
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Aug 2020 - Mar 2022
Lead and manage existing distributor business across the EMEA region. Responsibility for developing Karium’s business / brands across the EMEA region. Lead and manage existing distributor business across the EMEA region. Responsibility for developing Karium’s business / brands across the EMEA region.
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Glorious Brands Ltd
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United Kingdom
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Cosmetics
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1 - 100 Employee
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General Manager
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Sep 2017 - Jul 2020
Leadership role with overall commercial and financial responsibility for the business.Direct the sales and marketing strategic approach across the UK and IrelandLeadership and management of a multi-functional team of 45 people Record breaking sales and profit growth +23% in first calendar year 2018.Successfully led and managed the team into a new phase of growth for Glorious Brands. Leadership role with overall commercial and financial responsibility for the business.Direct the sales and marketing strategic approach across the UK and IrelandLeadership and management of a multi-functional team of 45 people Record breaking sales and profit growth +23% in first calendar year 2018.Successfully led and managed the team into a new phase of growth for Glorious Brands.
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COTY Inc.
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United States
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Wholesale
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Managing Director - Coty Africa
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Jan 2014 - Jun 2017
Set up Coty’s subsidiary in South Africa.Established local Coty team and developed to Coty global standard.Delivered incremental South Africa turnover of $30m growing at +10%.Exceeded brand and financial objectives in start-up phase. Taking market share from competitors such as Revlon, L’Oreal, Estee Lauder and Unilever in key categories such as colour cosmetics, fragrance, deodorants and skincare.
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Managing Director - Coty Export - Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA)
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Apr 2011 - Dec 2013
Outstanding financial performance delivered for 2 consecutive years. Turnover $100m growing at +8% per annum.Negotiated a new business approach to Cotys activities in South Africa. Led changes to restructure Nordic business model.Built a high performance team of 40+ Coty staff and 40 distributor partners.Drove the profitable growth of cosmetics across the Middle East and North African markets.
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Coty UK , Export and Russia - Business Development and Business Controller
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Jul 2006 - Apr 2011
Commercial business partner/ COO to Regional VP - N. Europe, turnover of $250m.Overall management responsibility for Finance, Customer Service and Demand Planning functions. Coaching and development for a team of 38 staff (5 direct reports)Seconded to the Coty Inc Business Development team. Project managed and worked “hands on” on a very complex project to successfully establish Coty’s subsidiary in Russia - Turnover $60m in year 1.SAP ERP implementation project – Finance lead
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Coty Export - Marketing and Business Services Director
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Jul 2002 - Jul 2006
Commercial business partner /COO to Coty Export General Manager, turnover of $55m.Overall management responsibility for Marketing, Finance and Customer Services functions. Coaching and development for a team of 14 staff (7 direct reports).Led the closure of the Coty Turkey subsidiary and then negotiated a contract with a new distributor. Successfully project managed the evolution of Coty’s business in the Middle East from a distributor model to a Joint Venture subsidiary.
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Coty Export - Financial and Customer Services Controller
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Jan 1999 - Jun 2002
Responsibilities as Business Services Director but excluding responsibility for the Marketing function.
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Coty UK Ltd - Coty Prestige Financial Controller
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Apr 1996 - Dec 1998
Post Unilever acquisition project to merge three companies financial control, reporting and planning processes and IT systems – Finance lead.Decision Support for a restructuring project to close loss making beauty advisor staffed, department store doors.
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Nielsen
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Management Accountant
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Apr 1994 - Apr 1996
Strategic financial planning, analysis and modelling for the UK Board of Directors. Strategic financial planning, analysis and modelling for the UK Board of Directors.
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Diageo
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United Kingdom
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Beverage Manufacturing
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700 & Above Employee
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Sales & Marketing Accountant / Graduate Trainee
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Oct 1990 - Mar 1994
IDV UK Graduate Management Training Scheme – broad business training programme for a multi functional group of high potential graduates recruited direct from University. Finance specialist IDV UK Graduate Management Training Scheme – broad business training programme for a multi functional group of high potential graduates recruited direct from University. Finance specialist
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Education
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1990 - 1993
The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants
Associate of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, Accounting and Business/Management -
1987 - 1990
The University of Manchester
Bachelor’s Degree, Geography and Economics -
1985 - 1987
Kingston College
Advanced (A) level examinations, Geography, Economics, Mathematics and Statistics, -
1980 - 1985
Teddington School
Ordinary (O) Level Examinations, Mathematics, English, Sciences, Humanities, Languages
Community
