Experience

• 

  Alshaya Group

  • Business Manager, Home Furnishings Division

    • Jul 2022 - Present

• 

  Larkbury Group (The Sofa & Chair Company, Luxsale, Larkbury Curtains)

  • London, England, United Kingdom

  • Commercial Director at Larkbury Group

    • Jan 2020 - Jul 2022
    • London, England, United Kingdom

• 

  Fenwick Limited

  • United Kingdom
  • Retail
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Director of Merchandising

    • Mar 2018 - Jan 2020

    Part of senior leadership and board team; set and led merchandise strategy across 9 stores (plus online); led team of 35, controlled budgets and managed products to maximise profitable sales• Designed and established a new merchandise department; developed working systems, procedures, processes, team and structure; created an integrated format in alignment with the buying and e-commerce functions• Interviewed and selected team using assessment criteria; held individual meetings, team briefings and monthly KPI objective reviews to agree current/future priorities• Controlled budget planning; set seasonal sales forecast, managed Open To Buy and approved brand spend; achieved group turnover• Accountable for stock; managed seasonal intake including repeat orders (4,500 suppliers); achieved reduction in stock holding with improved stockturn, availability and sell through • Set and managed product markdown strategy; implemented a staged process and reviewed product sell through percentage; achieved saving against forecast• Set purchase strategy; identified low margin products for the buying team to support the renegotiated of supplier terms; achieved growth of 1.3% over winter season• Implemented and delivered a group merchandise system (Microsoft D365); learnt process and adapted software; designed 14 bespoke reports, identified trends and enhanced ordering for improved efficiency, company knowledge and effectiveness • Agreed business KPIs; assessed and reviewed structure to centralise and streamline operating functions; delivered an aligned organisation which will dramatically reduce overhead costs by 2020

  • Director of Finance

    • Jan 2009 - Mar 2018

    Commenced as Head of Finance 2009, progressed to Regional Head of Finance 2015 and promoted to Director Finance 2016; controlled 4 store’s, team of 60 and annual budget of £40m• Established and agreed financial targets with board; assessed monthly with store teams and directors; presented quarterly performance to the board and managed budgets to below forecast for 7 of 9 years • Oversaw stock control; reviewed and checked procedures, security and administration process; implemented action plan which reduced stockloss from 1.7% to 1.3%• Supported supplier negotiations for concession contracts; implemented additional profit guarantee clauses and achieved 0.3% improvement in margin• Managed team of 60 with 4 direct reports including payroll, supplier accounts, customer accounts, merchandising, financial accounts and banking • Budget managed a 3 year redevelopment for the Brent Cross store; worked with project manager to maintain targets; project delivered to schedule, specification and £200k below budget • Represented tenants on the Brent Cross Shopping Centre committee; reviewed quarterly spend against budget, assessed requests for improvements, enhancements and repairs; maintained annual budget

  • Buyer - Cookware & Electricals

    • Jul 2006 - Jan 2009

    Planned, selected and purchased products to achieve annual turnover of £4.1m. Grew electrical department sales by 21% over 3 years • Improved supplier discount negotiation/markdown management; achieved 0.9% growth in margin • Upgraded stock availability; ensured best sellers were in stock to maximise customer satisfaction• Established a product data catalogue on Excel; improved order process, identified out of stock and rate of sale to provide better availability for customers • Managed and motivated team of 20; communicated targets, direction and development to ensure highest level of customer service standards and visual merchandising to achieve sales growth

  • Buyer - Toys, Stationery & Greetings Cards

    • Apr 2003 - Jul 2006

    • Developed toy department; selected trend driven ranges; achieved a 14% increase in sales whilst reducing stock holding by 20% vs previous year• Bought children’s gift packs and handmade card ranges; achieved an 18% sales increase in stationery and a 5% increase on greeting cards year on year• Sourced, selected and implemented a new Gadgets section including digital cameras, IPods, sat nav and computer games; achieved £200k turnover in 3 months• Negotiated with 200+ suppliers; agreed terms and conditions; increased profit margin by 2% in 12 months

  • Assistant Buyer - Cookware & Electricals

    • Feb 2002 - Apr 2003

    • Promoted to Assistant Buyer; achieved a sales increase of 15% on previous year’s performance

  • Graduate Management Trainee

    • Sep 2000 - Feb 2002

    • One of 4 graduates on management training scheme. Managed Christmas gifts department; achieved a sales increase of 30% on previous year

• 

  Marks and Spencer

  • Buckinghamshire

  • Financial Management Trainee

    • Jun 1998 - Aug 1999
    • Buckinghamshire

    • Accountable for store financial operations; formulated business plan to increase profitability • Managed security and in-store systems, reduced theft and loss from 1.3% to 0.9% (£8k a week) • Implemented new store systems; organised training, logistics to maximise systems efficiency