Ailsa Forbes Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

I lead and deliver commercially driven and innovative product ranges across all Barbican retail outlets. I ensure current trends, curatorial and commercial direction and brand values are represented, illustrating the Barbican as a design brand and destination. I am currently working with artists Estates and Foundations across Europe and the U.S. to design and coordinate exhibition merchandise.

My work following the successful completion of a retail project for the UK Government included podcasts for the British Independent Retailers Association and talks at the Charity Retailers Annual Conference. I co-authored an academic chapter for a forthcoming publication around retail and inclusivity for an ageing population. I competitively shopped differing cultural organisations to learn about the challenges facing retail in this commercially challenged sector.

The ILC is a thinktank and charity and has 16 global partners.I led, drove and delivered this eighteen-month fixed-term retail project, helping retailers respond to an ageing population and why being inclusive makes commercial sense. I briefed and created all content from concept initiation to implementation, writing five retail guides, producing five 5 minute film shorts, leading seminars, webinars, Ministerial meetings, blogs and press pieces. I contributed to the University of Surrey's Hospitality and Tourism steering group and the British Society of Gerontology's Special Interest Group.https://ilcuk.org.uk/thrive-not-just-survive-helping-the-retail-sector-support-healthy-ageing/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHcErIL91BU

Key responsibilities included developing gift pick-up ranges, apparel and accessories and leading the re-organisation and display of merchandise for this iconic £10 million brand.

I bought and developed product for this seminal music site, both onsite and online. I negotiated a best-in-class supplier network and freelance creatives to deliver ranges on time and within budget. A vast array of product SKU's and price points created opportunities for me to innovate newness within the retail offer. I advised on commercial strategy with other heads of department and co-managed the retail and stock teams to oversee effective margin and stock control maintenance.

London, England, United Kingdom

I led buying, PD and VM for acclaimed exhibition ranges including the Bloomsbury Group, Chaim Soutine and Toulouse-Lautrec. I created and delivered presentations to the Courtauld Gallery board and advised the curatorial department on product. Collaborating with prestigious international suppliers was key to creating a unique offer for one of the most reputable art collections in the country.

London, England, United Kingdom

In this varied role, I developed products for exhibitions and core shop ranges at Southbank Centre, Hayward Gallery, Museum of London, Museum in Docklands, Wellcome Collection, Horniman Museum, Shop at Bluebird and London Fashion Week. This role demonstrated my excellent communication skills and strong problem solving abilities to deliver assets on time, within budget and to satisfy the client brief from inception through to delivery.

London, England, United Kingdom

I developed bespoke ranges for International Arts and Crafts, Modernism and Diane Arbus exhibitions and core ranges (examples include William Morris, ranges for fashion students and designing staff uniform). I headed up a prestigious designer range commissioned by the V&A board which included working with designers Timorous Beasties, Julie Verhoeven and Neisha Crosland.

London, England, United Kingdom

Working for the official retailers to The Queen gave me exceptional Buying and PD knowledge at prestigious sites around the country. I developed ranges spanning silver limited editions to silk tartan, exercising quality, gravitas and attention to detail throughout. I presented ranges regularly to H.M. The Queen, advised curatorial and photographic departments on product ranges and styled and art directed marketing and point of sale campaigns.

Ma Arts Policy And Management, Arts Policy And Management

Introduction To Journalism Pt. 1

Ba (Hons) Fine Art