Experience

Banner Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Apparel & Fashion
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Sep 2017 - Present

  Banner Ltd is the market leading supplier of schoolwear and sportswear to schools in the UK. We are passionate about designing, marketing, manufacturing and distributing clothing that makes students look good and feel great. We have a deep-rooted heritage in schoolwear and are now backed by Private Equity Investors, MML, which has enabled us to invest thoughtfully in technology, people and infrastructure. This investment will ensure that we continue to supply our customers with innovative quality products and market leading service.



Connect Education & Care

• Trowbridge, Wiltshire

• Managing Director

  • Oct 2013 - Jul 2017

  Acquired in April 2012, Connect Education & Care is a £65m turnover, market leading retail distribution business. Connect buy, merchandise, market, sell and distribute c30,000 products to c40,000 schools, nurseries and care homes in the UK and internationally. Connect run a multi-site, multi SKU, complex supply chain with c500 suppliers and material overseas sourcing. Trading as ‘The Consortium’ and ‘WMS’, the Company's outstanding E-Commerce and multi-channel marketing offer helped to deliver market leading sales and EBITDA growth. Financial Achievements: • Delivered growth in EBITDA from £6.9m to £9.0m against a declining / flat market. • Developed and executed strategy that delivered a 47% increase in enterprise value on exit. Strategic Achievements: • Conducted full strategic review and implemented new customer centric strategy focused on winning in two of our five market segments and maintaining our share in the others. • Developed a revised customer proposition with clear points of competitive differentiation helping to deliver market leading sales results. • Increased revenue online from 15% to 51% of total sales and established the business as the clear digital market leader, fundamentally shifting how we market and sell to our customers. Supply Chain and IT Achievements: • Implemented material change to our supply chain including new warehouse management system, new demand planning system, 20% reduction in inventory and record OTIF. • Established new integrated business planning process ensuring that our supply chain is joined up with our commercial functions. • Turned around difficult ERP implementation in the WMS business People and Culture Achievements: • Achieved material change in culture. I delivered Connect into an ambitious, commercial, customer focused organisation which embraces change. • Led communication and engagement strategy delivering best in Group engagement results



Connect Group PLC

• United Kingdom
• Truck Transportation
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Group HR Director

  • Sep 2011 - Sep 2013

  Connect Group PLC is a £1.8bn turnover, 6000 employee FTSE 350 group with 4 separate trading divisions. Connect Group was previously Smiths News PLC and prior to that a division of WHSmith PLC. My responsibilities included HR strategy and service, remuneration, communications, branding, property, fleet and procurement. • Led the award winning rebranding of Smiths News PLC to Connect Group PLC. • Led a group wide organisation review to establish a group operating model to support the further growth and development of the business as well as materially reducing operating costs. • Led Remuneration Committee including material review of Executive Director compensation structure. • Member of Group acquisition team, which developed the strategy to acquire The Consortium and WMS (now Connect Education & Care), completed due diligence, deal execution and post deal implementation. • Led the development and implementation of Connect Group’s values. • Developed and implemented an on-line self-development and e-learning suite accessible to all staff • Implemented RIVO Safeguard, a Group wide online health & safety system delivering a step change in H&S • Led Group wide talent strategy including chairing Talent Board and PLC Nominations Committee. Personally involved in all Executive hiring to both sell the Group and to assure hiring quality. • Strong confidant and advisor to Group CEO leading to appointment to MD role in August 2013. • Member of the Connect Group Executive Board – the operating board accountable for overall strategy and performance of the Group.



Smiths News

• United Kingdom
• Wholesale
• 400 - 500 Employee

• HR Director

  • Nov 2004 - Aug 2011

  Smiths News is the UK’s leading newspaper and magazine wholesaler. The company distributes newspapers and magazines on behalf of national publishers as well as a number of regional publishers. It serves approximately 30,000 retailers across England and Wales, supplying large general retailers as well as smaller independent newsagents. As HR Director, I led the development execution of the Divisions People Strategy including establishing an award winning Talent Strategy and supporting the business through an immense period of growth.



Ford Motor Company

• United States
• Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Various HR roles

  • Sep 1997 - Oct 2004

  I held 6 roles in my 7 years at Ford where I was fast tracked as part of the Graduate Scheme and then the Company’s talent programme. Ford gave me deep employee relations experience as well as European HR Business Partnering, supporting key functions including Finance, Purchasing, Logistics and HR. I held 6 roles in my 7 years at Ford where I was fast tracked as part of the Graduate Scheme and then the Company’s talent programme. Ford gave me deep employee relations experience as well as European HR Business Partnering, supporting key functions including Finance, Purchasing, Logistics and HR.