Anna Potts Email & Phone Number

Partnering with Carlos Gonzalez from Charles Crown Financial and Clare Hughes independent Estate Agent we have launched a local monthly Wanstead business owner meet up. We are proactively forming a growing community of business owners that meet locally, support each other, share ideas, build relationships and trust in a relaxed and informal setting. This unstructured approach is making a difference; it is fostering positive associations and leading to fruitful connections.

34 years at M&S PLC has given me a great breadth of experience across many aspects of business. As a Virtual Assistant this insight can be channeled into your business whatever your own aims, aspirations and goals.Instead of me talking about my services, here are what some clients say... I would highly recommend the services of Apples & Pears. Anna has played a pivotal part in elevating the business of Logic Construction, and her continuous hard work and support ensures that we are able to maintain that standard.Introducing new systems into the business has enabled us to provide the next level in customer service. In efficiently taking on many administration roles that were becoming a challenge to stay on top of, Anna has provided me with the ability to focus and grow the business in other areas.Anna is always on hand to help, regardless of the task. Her remote working style means I continue to get the support required, without the financial burden of a permanent employee. Personally, I don’t know what I’d do without Anna now.Simon Tickner - Logic Construction I started working with Anna last year when I finally cracked and realised I needed some back-up. From the moment we first spoke I had a strong feeling she was the right person for the job and she has been brilliant from the start.She works flexibly and 100% reliably on many aspects of supporting my professional life, including: updating my website and diary, booking podcast guests, setting up new systems and ways of working. She has a knack of knowing exactly what tone and approach is appropriate for each person she deals with - from the very famous to the very finickity, and everyone in between!She is kind, efficient and an all round delight to have in my life. (My only hesitation in recommending her is that I don't want her to run out of time to help me!).In short, Anna is a hero.Cally Beaton - Comedian, Speaker, Podcaster & Business Mentor

Marks And Spencer Head Office - Paddington

In this unique role within the company I managed and devised the BIG (Business Involvement Group) communication and activity strategy for 2,500 UK Marks & Spencer BIG representatives. I proactively sought to improve the BIG brand by working with other areas of the business; designing appropriate marketing material and embedding new communication initiatives. I acted as brand champion to ensure all BIG communication was consistent and aligned with M&S values. Through active listening I constantly reviewed and formulated my communication and activity strategy; developing new toolkits to upskill representatives, analysing results and presenting the findings at monthly meetings with the M&S board and leadership team. I took minutes at monthly director meetings and forward communicated these into scheduled business communications. They were distributed on time to the whole estate of 65,000 employees.Planned, organised, implemented the annual Business Involvement Meeting with the Chairman, CEO and other directors. Forward communicated the days priorities, strategy, and action points to the rest of the company – including UK stores, offices, and distribution centres. Delivered a complete re brand of BIG and developed a new communication portal that was a one stop shop for BIG representatives as well as managing the day to day activity of the group. I enjoyed the challenge this posed to my strong organisational and project management skills – while leading workstream’s, managing tight deadlines, prioritising workload and setting clear targets for myself and others.

Marks And Spencer Head Office - Paddington

I developed the M&S brand by creating and delivering Communication to our field teams that inspired, informed, was trend led and visually exciting.My communication was constructed in line with the business strategic plan, but had store needs and requirements at its heart.The communication and guidelines I produced were reviewed monthly with the Food Director, Category Managers and store teams that implemented them. I took away the learnings to provide a cycle of continuous improvement. I re-designed, led and took accountability for delivering the Food business Christmas Communication plan – covering the most important and critical trading period of the financial year. It was recognised at all levels of the business, and at the April 2015 Annual Food Business Conference for M&S Suppliers and Food Colleagues as the best, most effective Christmas Communication plan to date.

In this brand new role I put together a business case to secure a competition budget and spent it according to risk posed to the business.I produced a Competition Pack by competitor type and then developed, managed and implemented the competition strategy for the business covering both general merchandise and foods. Part of my role was to visit all stores affected; offering training, development and commercial upskilling to assist them increase sales by up to 4% to mitigate the deflection that was coming. I consulted with external suppliers and internal M&S departments to create a package of activity bespoke to individual stores. This included external marketing, chefs, tasting, stylists and personal shoppers and reward incentives for customers.

This role was unique within M&S and created as a result of my success in Flowers & Plants. I produced, developed and delivered the Wine Category Store Training Program in 2004; flying 400 employees to France to upskill and develop their wine knowledge by immersing them in the wine making process. This included a vineyard tour, viewing and experiencing production methods and essentially tastings! It was complimented with commercial and selling techniques that were to be adopted back in store. The result was that M&S Wine and Drinks Category won “The Drinks Business Retail Award 2004”.Charlotte Hey from The Drinks Business and one of the judges explains: "The competition for the best retail award was tough. The judges awarded Marks and Spencer because they have worked hard throughout the last year to change the face of their drinks retail operations – investing in education for their employees, improving in-store facilities and trying to move consumers into the wines and drinks aisles through innovation".

This was a brand new role within the company and I was recruited to improve standards of care, service and sales of Flowers and Plants across every store; as well as reducing waste and managing loss. After spending time in store, listening to and gathering feedback from colleagues I devise and rolled out a national training programme for Flowers and Plants. I led and oversaw the training of 1,300 colleagues nationwide at strategic locations with inspirational gardens at regional training days. I brought on board suppliers and used their expertise to inspire and demonstrate quality standards. I also recruited industry experts such as David Stevenson who invented the QBox a new way of safely transporting flowers in a collapsible plastic box. The impact was an increase in sales and reduction of flower and plant waste. My initative won "Winner of the 2003 Retail Industry Awards for Training Initiative of the year". Beating competition from Sainsbury, Somerfield and Safeway. I was also awarded the Marks and Spencer “One Step Beyond” Award in September 2002. I was 1 of 6 people out of the estate of 65,000 employees who was given this honour. The One Step Beyond Award is given to those people who through their attitude, commitment and leadership have demonstrated or delivered huge change for the benefit of the business.I combined work with study and gained my General Exam in Horticulture from Capel Manor College.

Marks And Spencer Head Office

Evaluated and responded daily to incoming customer complaints. Resolving customer issues in a clear, courteous and straightforward manner.Monitored and compiled complaint numbers, then used the findings to influence technologists to make changes to quality standards.Adapted my behaviour and response to suit the customer need and situation; demonstrating empathy and insight. Provided customers with beyond expectation solutions to retain their faith in the M&S brand. Was consistently one of the top team members to be measured against the number of customers who followed up their service with a thank you card or call to the department.

Marks And Spencer Oxford Street

Managed the highest takings area of the store - Ladies wear with sales of £250k per week. Increased profits through effective space management and troubleshooting profit loss areas. Led walk rounds with Head Office visitors conveying noteworthy information about sales successes and product updates. Led a team of 60 sales advisors and 5 team leaders. Scheduled and delivered daily and weekly business priority meetings for all of my team. Planned and directed staff training and performance evaluations.

Marks And Spencer Carlisle

Managed Ladies wear, Menswear, Children’s and Home floors in Carlisle. Analysed sales and space to obtain the best commercial returns. Planned and led through the night stock inventories every six months.Assigned employees specific duties to best meet the needs of the store and customers. Trained and developed new and existing staff on products and systems and service. Acted as a champion for change on new working hours policies.Completed an Assessment Centre in London and relocated to manage a premier Ladies wear floor on Oxford Street.

Marks And Spencer Carlisle

Helped customers in store with questions, product knowledge and complaints in person and via telephone. Organised racks and shelves to maintain the visual appeal of the store. Counted cash drawers and made bank deposits.Trained and served as a peer coach for management trainees and new sales associates. I increased sales on men’s suits by £20k through proactively engaging and writing to local businesses, then converting those enquiries to sales. Was voted for, and acted as one of the 7 Business Involvement Group members to represent colleagues views.