Bob Darke Email & Phone Number

Blandford Forum, England, United Kingdom

Executive Director and shareholder at House of Sarunds, the UK's leading specialist distributor of fine chocolate and confectionery.

Dartford, England, United Kingdom

Dorset, England, United Kingdom

Working with the team at this leading Premium Confectionery importer / distributor to guide, shape and motivate the sales function as it addresses the opportunities and challenges of a changing retail landscape.

London, United Kingdom

ContextCo-founded the practice in 2016 to deliver consultancy support on prospective, new or under-performing investments & source personal investment opportunities.As one of four principal partners with extensive and complimentary operational experience, we provide leadership support and consultancy for the Private Equity sector whilst seeking strategic.

Aylesbury, UK

Achievements⋗ Negotiated and delivered the acquisition of the brand/asset rich Gerald Simons Healthcare⋗ Led business transformation through; exiting unprofitable distribution agreements and negotiating new ones, design & launch of a new website, initiating joint ventures with other industry players⋗ Drove efficiencies through reduced overheads.

Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

Achievements⋗ Delivered 30% of total sales, cUS$1bn (2017)⋗ Implemented vastly improved range management and financial control⋗ Recruited & trained 5 new divisional directors⋗ Generated major savings by reducing staff churn from 40+% to c10%⋗ Grew gross margin +400 bps & reduced excessive supplier contribution reliance⋗ Negotiated away US$multiple millions.

Bangkok, Thailand

Achievements⋗ Reshaped business, unpicked failing strategy & performance to gain buy-in from within the wider owning family group⋗ Successfully overcame language and cultural obstacles to deliver comprehensive change⋗ Simplified KPIs & ways of working to enhance teamwork and increase pace⋗ Introduced and embedded basic retail disciplines including OTB.

Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, UK

Achievements⋗ Delivered the Comet sale, facilitating OpCapita purchase, dealing directly with bidding parties, collaborating with Darty leadership, legal teams & merchant bank on the turnaround strategy⋗ Generated £multiple millions improvement in EBITDA during H1 2012 on track to a 2012/13 breakeven target⋗ Realised £63m total annualised savings and.

Rickmansworth, UK

Established strategies for trading, customer proposition and multi-channel growth. Led a team of 8 direct reports with a 250+ team and a spend budget c£60m. Member of a 5 board team; regularly deputised for MD. In the face of economic downturn and rapid share growth from internet and mass merchant competitors, built a buying team, which created improved.