Nick Hodgson
Head Of Operations at Home Instead UK- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Carl Johnson
I had the pleasure of recruiting and working with Nick at Alan Ward Furnishers, a family-owned retailer of furniture, beds and flooring which had stores in Shrewsbury, Chester, Winsford and Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Nick is a professional and effective sales leader, strong and confident, with extensive multi-site retail knowledge, ‘know-how’ and experience within the home furnishings sector. He always demonstrated real energy and drive in his role as Sales Manager. I was impressed with his communication and coaching skills, particularly when seeking to improve the performance of individual sales people or department managers. Nick was also a great addition to the Leadership team at Alan Ward and he played an important role within this senior management team. Always balanced and objective in his comments, Nick was also open to ideas and willing to listen to the views and opinions of colleagues. He also contributed very effectively and positively to discussions regarding subjects that were outside of his direct remit. I would have no hesitation in recommending Nick for a Sales Leader/Manager/Area Sales Manager role in a multi-site retail business. Whilst his extensive knowledge and ‘know-how’ relates to furniture and beds, his skills are transferable and Nick has the right personality to adapt accordingly.
Neville Boulds
Worked with Nick for about 3 months until Covid pandemic struck. Nick was brought into the business to head up and develop the retail sales function which he was well on the way to doing. Full of energy and ideas and a breath of fresh air, I am saddened that I never got to see the fruits of all of Nick's ideas due to the company ceasing to trade in July. I found Nick to be very honest, open minded to suggestions and ideas but would always be prepared to challenge if he had different perspectives. Such was my belief in Nick, I was prepared to become a business partner with him but again due to the pandemic, financing this option proved impossible. This guy deserves another opportunity and will be an asset to any future employer.
Carl Johnson
I had the pleasure of recruiting and working with Nick at Alan Ward Furnishers, a family-owned retailer of furniture, beds and flooring which had stores in Shrewsbury, Chester, Winsford and Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Nick is a professional and effective sales leader, strong and confident, with extensive multi-site retail knowledge, ‘know-how’ and experience within the home furnishings sector. He always demonstrated real energy and drive in his role as Sales Manager. I was impressed with his communication and coaching skills, particularly when seeking to improve the performance of individual sales people or department managers. Nick was also a great addition to the Leadership team at Alan Ward and he played an important role within this senior management team. Always balanced and objective in his comments, Nick was also open to ideas and willing to listen to the views and opinions of colleagues. He also contributed very effectively and positively to discussions regarding subjects that were outside of his direct remit. I would have no hesitation in recommending Nick for a Sales Leader/Manager/Area Sales Manager role in a multi-site retail business. Whilst his extensive knowledge and ‘know-how’ relates to furniture and beds, his skills are transferable and Nick has the right personality to adapt accordingly.
Neville Boulds
Worked with Nick for about 3 months until Covid pandemic struck. Nick was brought into the business to head up and develop the retail sales function which he was well on the way to doing. Full of energy and ideas and a breath of fresh air, I am saddened that I never got to see the fruits of all of Nick's ideas due to the company ceasing to trade in July. I found Nick to be very honest, open minded to suggestions and ideas but would always be prepared to challenge if he had different perspectives. Such was my belief in Nick, I was prepared to become a business partner with him but again due to the pandemic, financing this option proved impossible. This guy deserves another opportunity and will be an asset to any future employer.
Carl Johnson
I had the pleasure of recruiting and working with Nick at Alan Ward Furnishers, a family-owned retailer of furniture, beds and flooring which had stores in Shrewsbury, Chester, Winsford and Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Nick is a professional and effective sales leader, strong and confident, with extensive multi-site retail knowledge, ‘know-how’ and experience within the home furnishings sector. He always demonstrated real energy and drive in his role as Sales Manager. I was impressed with his communication and coaching skills, particularly when seeking to improve the performance of individual sales people or department managers. Nick was also a great addition to the Leadership team at Alan Ward and he played an important role within this senior management team. Always balanced and objective in his comments, Nick was also open to ideas and willing to listen to the views and opinions of colleagues. He also contributed very effectively and positively to discussions regarding subjects that were outside of his direct remit. I would have no hesitation in recommending Nick for a Sales Leader/Manager/Area Sales Manager role in a multi-site retail business. Whilst his extensive knowledge and ‘know-how’ relates to furniture and beds, his skills are transferable and Nick has the right personality to adapt accordingly.
Neville Boulds
Worked with Nick for about 3 months until Covid pandemic struck. Nick was brought into the business to head up and develop the retail sales function which he was well on the way to doing. Full of energy and ideas and a breath of fresh air, I am saddened that I never got to see the fruits of all of Nick's ideas due to the company ceasing to trade in July. I found Nick to be very honest, open minded to suggestions and ideas but would always be prepared to challenge if he had different perspectives. Such was my belief in Nick, I was prepared to become a business partner with him but again due to the pandemic, financing this option proved impossible. This guy deserves another opportunity and will be an asset to any future employer.
Carl Johnson
I had the pleasure of recruiting and working with Nick at Alan Ward Furnishers, a family-owned retailer of furniture, beds and flooring which had stores in Shrewsbury, Chester, Winsford and Newcastle-Under-Lyme. Nick is a professional and effective sales leader, strong and confident, with extensive multi-site retail knowledge, ‘know-how’ and experience within the home furnishings sector. He always demonstrated real energy and drive in his role as Sales Manager. I was impressed with his communication and coaching skills, particularly when seeking to improve the performance of individual sales people or department managers. Nick was also a great addition to the Leadership team at Alan Ward and he played an important role within this senior management team. Always balanced and objective in his comments, Nick was also open to ideas and willing to listen to the views and opinions of colleagues. He also contributed very effectively and positively to discussions regarding subjects that were outside of his direct remit. I would have no hesitation in recommending Nick for a Sales Leader/Manager/Area Sales Manager role in a multi-site retail business. Whilst his extensive knowledge and ‘know-how’ relates to furniture and beds, his skills are transferable and Nick has the right personality to adapt accordingly.
Neville Boulds
Worked with Nick for about 3 months until Covid pandemic struck. Nick was brought into the business to head up and develop the retail sales function which he was well on the way to doing. Full of energy and ideas and a breath of fresh air, I am saddened that I never got to see the fruits of all of Nick's ideas due to the company ceasing to trade in July. I found Nick to be very honest, open minded to suggestions and ideas but would always be prepared to challenge if he had different perspectives. Such was my belief in Nick, I was prepared to become a business partner with him but again due to the pandemic, financing this option proved impossible. This guy deserves another opportunity and will be an asset to any future employer.
Experience
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Home Instead UK
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United Kingdom
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Hospitals and Health Care
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200 - 300 Employee
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Head Of Operations
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Dec 2020 - Present
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H&H Retail Ltd T/A Alan Ward Furniture
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United Kingdom
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Head Of Retail
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Dec 2019 - Nov 2020
Responsible for the sales, development and retail functions across all Alan Ward furniture stores in Shropshire, Cheshire and Staffordshire. · Forecasting sales numbers along with setting all sales budgets in line with delivering sales margins and P&L contribution by store. · Restructured the company pricing policy and developed a new promotional calendar to maximize sales opportunities. · Addressed historical staffing issues and restructured the retail sales teams to focus on commercial growth activity. · Addressed the national minimum wage increase across the retail estate with no increased cost to the business and positive outcome for all employees. · Negotiated and secured a retail training program through a national training provider. · Implemented an in-house coaching / development program to deliver individual performance improvement and increased sales.
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Stokers Fine Furniture
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United Kingdom
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Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing
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1 - 100 Employee
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Store Manager
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Jan 2019 - Dec 2019
Responsible for the sales performance and operational management of Stokers 80,000 sq.ft furniture store and separate warehouse and distribution centre in Chester. Multi-million pound turnover store with on site operational management covering sales, warehousing, logistics, administration and customer service. Store achieved sales ahead of the previous year and delivered on all company KPI. Ongoing coaching, motivation and development of all employees. Managing stock and relationships across all key product suppliers. Managing, improving and maintaining operational efficiencies from the initial sale, product ordering, customer communication and final delivery.
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Retail Performance Specialists
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United Kingdom
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Retail
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1 - 100 Employee
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Sales Performance Coach
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Mar 2018 - Jan 2019
Contracted to support the delivery of a performance management programme in to a number of retail businesses. Delivered workshops to senior managers and key sales people to embed the system. Conducted follow up field site visits to support managers and ensure learnings are being implemented. Conduct follow up mentoring phone calls to provide ongoing support. Delivered feedback to business leaders on the progress of the training. Contracted to support the delivery of a performance management programme in to a number of retail businesses. Delivered workshops to senior managers and key sales people to embed the system. Conducted follow up field site visits to support managers and ensure learnings are being implemented. Conduct follow up mentoring phone calls to provide ongoing support. Delivered feedback to business leaders on the progress of the training.
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Area Manager
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2005 - Feb 2018
Responsible for the sales and operations across a district of stores within a national manufacturer/retailer with over 50 UK stores. Managed 19 stores across retail park, high street and destination locations.Managed over 125 people within my district.Responsibility for a multi million-pound budget. Delivered like for like sales growth: 2016/17 +11.1% - 2015/16 +11.5% - 2014/15 +6.4% - 2013/14 +19.1% - 2012/13 +13.3%Successfully managed business change, having worked for 4 different Managing Directors and 5 Sales Directors. Headed retail involvement in a company-wide customer engagement project that improved the number of quotes, quote follow up and quote conversion by stores. Average conversion improved from 46% to 52% with a higher number of overall quotes given out. Negotiated finance service levels directly with the provider. Delivered a company-wide cultural change in behaviour values based on four (4) pillars: Customers “our heart and soul,” Empowered “to succeed in everything we do,” Energy “enthusiastically embracing opportunities with a will to succeed” and Appreciation “thank you for your efforts.”Delivered an area average 15% added value on MTO upholstery against the company target of 10%. This was the highest conversion across the company, adding on average an extra £150 per order. Increased the areas average order value each year whilst also growing the total number of orders taken. Coached, trained and empowered my store managers to build the best performing area within the business by identifying and delivering on multiple opportunities of marginal gain.
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Store Manager
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2000 - 2005
Responsible for the complete customer experience, team development and delivering sales targets along with all company KPI. Improved Manchester stores sales from £900,000 to £1,400,000 in 18 months. Developed the Manchester team who delivered a £250,000 company record sales week.Chosen by the business as the manager to lead a new flagship store opening in Wilmslow. Recruited, trained and coached a new sales team in Wilmslow who delivered sales 16% ahead of budget in the first trading year. Won “Store of the Year” awards in both Manchester and Wilmslow.
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Artcoe wholesale
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Sheffield, United Kingdom
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General Manager
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1992 - 2000
A progressive 8-year career for an art and graphic wholesale business selling products in to national and independent businesses, schools, colleges and buying groups. Progressed from Area Sales Manager to General Manager during my time with the business. Delivered sales growth for every year with the business through development of existing accounts and securing new business. Secured the company’s largest ever accounts with Hobbycraft, Homebase and the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation. Organised and represented the company at industry trade shows.
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Education
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King Ecgbert School Sheffield
9 GCSE’s including English, Maths, Business Studies and Science. -
Sheffield College
BTEC National Diploma Business & Finance -
Oxford Summer School
Management development programme
Community
