Director for market entry and business development initiatives into SSA (Sub Saharan Africa) on a consultative basis (products / technologies / licensing / companies). ˝Through the line˝ consulting: research, feasibility, business and marketing planning, staffing, financing, due process, administrative, acquisitions and JV networking and negotiating. Key achievement : successfully establishing an effective conduit into SSA markets for a broad range of products : cosmetics, FMCG, cellular, off-grid energy, green construction, education, hospitality, perishables.

Managerial control of business units (pharmaceutical - ethical and OTC medicines) for English speaking markets (Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia). Responsible for revenue and profit delivery, budgets and commercial management (strategy, marketing and sales, HR, Finance, supply chain, medical, regulatory). Nigeria ˝expat˝ position with responsibility for 8 countries.Key achievement : establishing a new zone across a divergence of African cultures and market nuances whilst simultaneously managing sub-licence manufacturing, acquisitions, and introducing FMCG structures, processes and staff for OTC branded products.

Management of all sales and marketing departments for the hospitality division of leading SSA hotel group. Responsible for the sales, PR and marketing strategies and implementation thereof : inclusive of international sales offices in Europe, Australasia, USA and licensed agencies in mid and far east.Key achievement : Introduction of successful corporate through the line brand campaign and management of the JV agreement with leading hotel group based in Nigeria.

Set up, launched & managed a marketing intelligence company in Nigeria with licensed software, ˝Digital media monitoring˝, providing key strategic data to all blue chip marketing companies. This required establishing the 1st office in Lagos and subsequent 8 additional satellite offices. Key achievement : Established 9 offices across Nigeria within 5 years, covering radio, TV and outdoor advertising. Contracting 25 of the leading advertisers and marketing companies in the country : Coca Cola, Nestlé, Heineken, MTN, BAT, Cadbury, etc. Reducing media non compliance from nationwide avg. : 80% to 20%.

Managed a marketing services company (Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon) providing marketing methods designed for direct B to C communications (road shows, education campaigns through schools, ladies clubs and clinics, sampling, merchandising, consumer research, etc). Client service delivery was key to providing strategic value and input to leading marketing companies.Key achievement : Launching the Nigerian business and ensuring strong internal growth via the introduction of new services and clientele. Dramatic increase in Unilever brand performance through the delivery of differentiated, effective and assured communication.

Responsible for 5 product portfolios and management team including sales force (deserts, maize and sugar based derivatives, spices and herbs). Consolidation of all marketing and sales plans, and revenues & profit responsibility. New product development of highest strategic importance with Company’s re-entry into SA.Key achievement : Major launches of core brands : ˝Skippy˝ peanut butter to #2 position in 2 years, ˝Maizola˝ quick cooking maize meal, “Maïzena” launch, ˝Knorr˝ condiments. As part of the new product launches broader commercial experience gleaned in acquisition of peanut butter and dry goods factory (˝Knorr˝) and working on the “no name” brands sector for spices and herbs.

Responsible for 3 product portfolios (oral care, skin care, personal care) and the management of brand staff. Inclusive of 3-5-10 year scenario planning, commercial implementation, forecasting and profitability performance, managing interactive process between sales/production/R&D/finance/external suppliers.Key achievement : Major launch – International brand launch of ˝Oxy˝ care brand taking 40% market share from Clearasil in 24 months. Providing consistent double digit growth to GSK consumer brands.

Selected for prestigious intensive management trainee program for graduates : ˝Unilever career management development scheme˝ with a managerial appointment to brand planning, P&L, budget accountability, control of the marketing mix and new product development for leading personal care brand categories: hair care, dental and deodorants. Control of interactive process between R&D/production/sales/agency (ATL and BTL) to progress brand development.Key achievement : Appointment to Brand management at the age of 22 with full P&L accountability. One of 14 graduates employed into Unilever out of 3000 applicants. Instrumental in the launch of ˝Axe˝ deodorant on the back of ˝Ego˝, ˝Sunsilk˝ lego pack, ˝Impulse˝ and ˝Shield˝ deodorant line extensions, ˝Mentadent P˝ toothbrush launch, ˝Timotei˝ conditioner, etc.