Experience

RICHARD COLLYER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED

• United Kingdom
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder

  • Jun 2015 - Present

  * Advised brands on international expansion plans, location strategies and portfolio management across the UK, Europe, Middle and US markets. * Supported Directors in soliciting buy-in and support for new business initiatives and development planning from executive Boards. * Evaluated business opportunities, providing strategic guidance on market penetration and maximisation of brand suitability and long-term viability, reporting to C-suite executives. * Advised fastest growing UK womenswear brand, Missguided on its UK, European and US real estate; acted as Head of Development to oversee the full lifecycle design and construction phases and project managing retail fit out. * Supported Savills real estate consultancy business across Europe; acting as Management Consultant to lead market penetration studies with particular focus with the Netherlands and Italy, creating and delivering high-level report on market conditions to aid expansion activities leading to the successful purchase of an Italian entity. * Engaged with serial entrepreneur and founder of Screwfix empire to provide expertise on retail expansion for the Toolstation brand into France; undertaking introductions to French real estate advisors and leading on property, fiscal and legal compliances to ensure positive expansion and new market activity.



Vapiano UK

• United Kingdom
• Restaurants
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of International Real Estate

  • Aug 2017 - May 2019

  * Post IPO, led aggressive contract negotiations to facilitate global expansion corporate strategy, ensuring significant returns for new shareholder investment. * Drove relationships with key European franchise holders and partners, recommending new business development opportunities to maximise commercial ventures, driving sustainable JV growth and adopting a seamless multichannel approach in each market as the group standard. * Initiated review of UK real estate portfolio, future proofing optimum market entry points, leading CEO/COO strategic buy-in to support corporate growth, whilst identifying areas for improvements and deploying SOPs to reduce Cap-Ex and real estate costs. * Led brand strategy for over 230 locations in 34 countries across 5 continents. * Following successful IPO in 2017, achieved net sales of €370m and EBITDA of €29m.



Abercrombie & Fitch

• United States

• Senior Director Real Estate

  • Oct 2009 - Apr 2015

  * Created and delivered the International Retail Plan, outlining new country development strategies, analysis of potential store locations and financial modelling evaluation. * Led expansion into over 120 stores in Europe, CEE and Scandinavia in 5 years. * Instrumental in achieving turnover of $1bn in 5 years, equating to 20% of market value, doubling market-cap on the back of the successful European portfolio delivery. * Focussed in realising high-value sales targets, with all stores achieving significantly in excess of 30% EBITDA. * Reported to Senior VP of Real Estate; engaging with C-suite stakeholders to lead cross-market due diligence activities, combining a commercial and structured approach with industry knowledge to achieve aggressive financial plan against strong brand values. * Demonstrated initiative retail real estate development activities, introducing a series of negotiating practises that facilitated significant leas event negotiations across the portfolio, overseeing rent reviews, re-gearing leases, relocation and downsizing/contraction strategies as a response to dealing market conditions. * Pioneered first venture into expansion with greenfield business models, undertaking successful JV or franchise partnerships including penetration into Mexico and the Middle East.



NB Real Estate

• United Kingdom
• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director

  • Jun 2006 - Oct 2009

  * Joined to support existing retail real estate advisory and agency team. * Led retail team into supporting and building international retail advisory network * Led company in advising outlet centre developers and landlords in development and leasing strategies. * Joined to support existing retail real estate advisory and agency team. * Led retail team into supporting and building international retail advisory network * Led company in advising outlet centre developers and landlords in development and leasing strategies.



Allen Hodkinson

• Director

  • Mar 2003 - Jun 2006

  * Joined to expand existing development and leasing consultancy with particular emphasis on outlet centres. * Pioneered lease advisory activities for the company, engaging with brands and retailers on their UK expansion activities. * Joined to expand existing development and leasing consultancy with particular emphasis on outlet centres. * Pioneered lease advisory activities for the company, engaging with brands and retailers on their UK expansion activities.



Collyer Coxhead

• Partner

  • Oct 1995 - Mar 2003

  Founder of retail agency and development business specialising in advising developers, landlords and brands within the outlet sector throughout Europe, with offices in London, Berlin and Paris. Founder of retail agency and development business specialising in advising developers, landlords and brands within the outlet sector throughout Europe, with offices in London, Berlin and Paris.