Linda Ward
Co-Founder at Green Zebra- Claim this Profile
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French Professional working proficiency
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German Limited working proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Sarah Miller
Linda is a highly efficient no-nonsense business professional and advisor. I have worked with Linda on the board of CRNI for many years and on specific textile & retail projects during that time. She is highly knowledgeable, has great commercial insight and is a good person to bounce ideas off. Her energy and enthusiasm for every project she engages with is notable. She has great project management skills and quite simply gets the job done. She is always pleasure to work with.
Claire Downey
Linda is extremely knowledgeable about the retail market, and we greatly value her contributions to the Community Resources Network through the Irish Charity Shops Association. Linda is also a board member where CRNI also benefits from her charity governance and sustainable business skills.
Deirdre Garvey
I took part in the Kerry LEO's Retail Development course, and Linda was one of the key advisors. I found her insight, experience & advice to be invaluable to me when I was starting my own retail business.
Sarah Miller
Linda is a highly efficient no-nonsense business professional and advisor. I have worked with Linda on the board of CRNI for many years and on specific textile & retail projects during that time. She is highly knowledgeable, has great commercial insight and is a good person to bounce ideas off. Her energy and enthusiasm for every project she engages with is notable. She has great project management skills and quite simply gets the job done. She is always pleasure to work with.
Claire Downey
Linda is extremely knowledgeable about the retail market, and we greatly value her contributions to the Community Resources Network through the Irish Charity Shops Association. Linda is also a board member where CRNI also benefits from her charity governance and sustainable business skills.
Deirdre Garvey
I took part in the Kerry LEO's Retail Development course, and Linda was one of the key advisors. I found her insight, experience & advice to be invaluable to me when I was starting my own retail business.
Sarah Miller
Linda is a highly efficient no-nonsense business professional and advisor. I have worked with Linda on the board of CRNI for many years and on specific textile & retail projects during that time. She is highly knowledgeable, has great commercial insight and is a good person to bounce ideas off. Her energy and enthusiasm for every project she engages with is notable. She has great project management skills and quite simply gets the job done. She is always pleasure to work with.
Claire Downey
Linda is extremely knowledgeable about the retail market, and we greatly value her contributions to the Community Resources Network through the Irish Charity Shops Association. Linda is also a board member where CRNI also benefits from her charity governance and sustainable business skills.
Deirdre Garvey
I took part in the Kerry LEO's Retail Development course, and Linda was one of the key advisors. I found her insight, experience & advice to be invaluable to me when I was starting my own retail business.
Sarah Miller
Linda is a highly efficient no-nonsense business professional and advisor. I have worked with Linda on the board of CRNI for many years and on specific textile & retail projects during that time. She is highly knowledgeable, has great commercial insight and is a good person to bounce ideas off. Her energy and enthusiasm for every project she engages with is notable. She has great project management skills and quite simply gets the job done. She is always pleasure to work with.
Claire Downey
Linda is extremely knowledgeable about the retail market, and we greatly value her contributions to the Community Resources Network through the Irish Charity Shops Association. Linda is also a board member where CRNI also benefits from her charity governance and sustainable business skills.
Deirdre Garvey
I took part in the Kerry LEO's Retail Development course, and Linda was one of the key advisors. I found her insight, experience & advice to be invaluable to me when I was starting my own retail business.
Credentials
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Business Sustainability Management
University of CambridgeJan, 2020- Oct, 2024 -
Certficate in Employment Relations, Law and Practice
CIPD IrelandMay, 2009- Oct, 2024
Experience
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Green Zebra
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Georgia
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Travel Arrangements
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1 - 100 Employee
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Co-Founder
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Sep 2020 - Present
Green Zebra supports SME's to build greener businesses. Knowing that you want to do something is one thing, knowing where to start is another. With the support of Green Zebra, your business can prioritise high impact steps to greater sustainability. Take our Sustainability Quiz, attend a Greener Business Workshop or engage with like minded businesses on our 8 Pillar Programme to build your greener business. Green Zebra supports SME's to build greener businesses. Knowing that you want to do something is one thing, knowing where to start is another. With the support of Green Zebra, your business can prioritise high impact steps to greater sustainability. Take our Sustainability Quiz, attend a Greener Business Workshop or engage with like minded businesses on our 8 Pillar Programme to build your greener business.
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Founder and Principal
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Feb 2008 - Present
Get a fresh look at your retail business from Retail Renewal. Whether your business is a small independent shop or a nationwide chain there’s a solution to get things to where you want them to be. Finding it starts here. Take action to get your tills ringing again by contacting Retail Reneral for a consultation. Working online or in-person we’ll do an extensive review of your business. You’ll get a written report with a strategic plan to transform your business. You can choose to continue to have ongoing support with monthly check-ins or you can implement the changes yourself.
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Charity Retail Ireland
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Ireland
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Retail Recyclable Materials & Used Merchandise
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Executive Secretary
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Jan 2008 - Present
Charity Retail Ireland is the umbrella group for charities who operate shops to fundraise for their causes and we are funded mainly by our charity members. Our members range from large national charities to local, community based charities and our 42 members operate 500 shops nationwide. All our members are registered with the Charities Regulator and have CHY registration with the Revenue Commissioners. Charity Retail Ireland is the umbrella group for charities who operate shops to fundraise for their causes and we are funded mainly by our charity members. Our members range from large national charities to local, community based charities and our 42 members operate 500 shops nationwide. All our members are registered with the Charities Regulator and have CHY registration with the Revenue Commissioners.
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Community Resources Network Ireland
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Non-profit Organizations
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Board Member and Secretary
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Oct 2015 - Present
CRNI is the all Island representative body for community based reuse, recycling and waste prevention organisations. Linda's work with CRNI has included textile reuse and the circular economy for textiles and the fashion industry. CRNI is the all Island representative body for community based reuse, recycling and waste prevention organisations. Linda's work with CRNI has included textile reuse and the circular economy for textiles and the fashion industry.
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Simon Communities of Ireland
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Ireland
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Shops Development Manager
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Oct 2004 - Dec 2007
In this new role devised a national strategy for developing the shop network. Key tasks were: Find new shop sites and project manage the opening of new stores. Establishing procedures for the operation of the shops Recruiting and managing shop managers Controlling the financial management and profitability of the shops. In this new role devised a national strategy for developing the shop network. Key tasks were: Find new shop sites and project manage the opening of new stores. Establishing procedures for the operation of the shops Recruiting and managing shop managers Controlling the financial management and profitability of the shops.
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ExxonMobil
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Oil and Gas
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700 & Above Employee
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Operations Manager IROC (Irish Retail Operating Co)
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Oct 2003 - Oct 2004
My main function in this new role was to assist the start up of the On The Run brand in Ireland. Assist the start up and operation of newly acquired sites, specifically in the area of processes and controls. Carry out necessary checks and verification in key control areas, and guide and mentor store managers in improve the financial health of their stores. Work proactively to improve the level of site safety. Investigate any on-site safety or security incidents, and provide any coaching or guidance needed to put improved procedures in place.
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Debenhams
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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Store Manager
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Aug 1996 - Jun 2001
As Store Manager in Dublin of the first Debenhams store to operate outside the UK, my role was to consolidate the management team and the trading position of the store in Ireland. Key areas of responsibility were: The operation of a 90,000 sq.ft. store and a 23,000 sq.ft. external warehouse through a management team of 25 people and 280 staff, responsible for sales, profitability and cost control. Influencing the strategic management of the Irish business on commercial matters, e.g. pricing policy, the euro, sourced a financial services company to operate the customer account card for Dublin. The set up of a repricing operation in the warehouse (GB£ to IR£) Shaping the personnel policy of the company in Ireland including industrial relations and the relationship with Mandate trade union, the recruitment and retention of Irish managers and establishing the different approach needed to address IR issues in Ireland. Renegotiation of rates of pay and pay structure with Mandate in July 2000. Proposed and implemented an Irish management pay structure and scale. Driving the marketing and promotion of Debenhams Dublin as a separate market to the UK. Recruitment of an external promotional company and managing the relationship with them. Member of the IBEC Retail Working Group for the implementation of the Euro Member of the Marketing and Tenants Committee of the Jervis Shopping Centre. Officer on the Managing Board of the Dublin City Centre Business Association (1997- 2000). In this capacity I have been active in lobbying Dublin City Council and central government on issues that are important to traders in the city centre.
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The Body Shop
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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700 & Above Employee
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General Manager
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Oct 1992 - Dec 1993
A franchised operation selling through 10 company shops and 7 sub-franchised shops (as in 1993). I was responsible for all functions of the 17 shops on the island of Ireland. I completed a review of the management structure and its functions and consequently redefined the management structure and reporting system. I recruited new managers in the areas of finance and operations. With this team I was responsible for the operation and profitability of the whole chain. A franchised operation selling through 10 company shops and 7 sub-franchised shops (as in 1993). I was responsible for all functions of the 17 shops on the island of Ireland. I completed a review of the management structure and its functions and consequently redefined the management structure and reporting system. I recruited new managers in the areas of finance and operations. With this team I was responsible for the operation and profitability of the whole chain.
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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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Manager
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Jan 1975 - Jan 1992
1990 - 1992 I was the Deputy Manager and responsible for the commercial operation of the two city centre stores in Dublin, reporting to the General Manager for Ireland. 1989 - 1990 During this period I undertook a new project for Marks and Spencer’s European Head Office. The objective of this project was to define the Irish market for M&S and raise its profile in the company. 1988-1989 Responsible for setting up the original new store in Grafton Street opening in October 1988 (location is now Victoria's Secret) 1985 – 1988 Responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the Mary Street store as Deputy Manager 1975 - 1988 Starting on the shop floor as a supervisor in 1975 I joined the Management Training Scheme in 1978. Appointed in 1980 as Departmental Manager I undertook several postings in the UK, as well as Brussels and Dublin. I was appointed as Deputy Manager in Swindon in 1984.
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Education
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2019 - 2020
University of Cambridge
Certificate, Business Sustainability Management -
2008 - 2009
CIPD Qualifications
Certificate, Employment Law Relations and Practice -
1996 - 2001
Debenhams
In service training -
1992 - 1993
The Open University
Community
