Like a lot of people, I came to retail by accident thinking it was a stop gap. I am now an expert retail sales professional and leader, with a measurable track record. I have been increasing sales revenues at Benefit Cosmetics, in two of the company’s most important regions. As a Regional Manger, I have been managing teams of up to 7 Area Managers and driving performance in around 50 units in each region, with responsibility for double digit £multi-million-pound turnover business. I was also responsible for directing both region’s recruitment and training and development for around 150 employees.I have empowered and significantly improved the performance of my Area Managers by personal leadership, recruitment, coaching and mentoring. I was given a special achievement award from my then MD, Ian Marshall, for my overall contribution to the company.I had previous notable retail appointments as General Manager of Coach UK, overseeing their London flagship store at Sloane Street London and their concession at Harrods, Knightsbridge. I was formerly General Manager of Wedgwood Flagship Store Regent Street, London and General Manager of The General Trading Company’s (GTC) newly opened department store in Sloane Square, London. Having evolved from an early high street career I have taken responsibility for meeting and exceeding sales targets, executing new business plans, developing retail business processes, successfully project managing flagship store openings and managed substantial multi-site regions and stores. I am particularly proud of having created empowering cultures in (mostly) female orientated environments and helped several individuals grow and progress to their full potential and next roles.I have highly persuasive and effective people management skills, combining a distinctive flair for team leadership, and the alignment of staff performance with company objectives - all with an infectious sense of humour, tenacity and empathy. I am naturally sales and target focussed, with the proven competency to lead, manage and develop turnover; meeting and exceeding targets.My passion and capacity to learn remain undiminished and I take great pride in my work. I am now pursuing new challenges, and to use my transferable skills and experience to work in other sectors related to my background.Feel free to connect with me via LinkedIn directly or email me at colettenvakil@gmail.com or call on +44 (0) 7801 035612