Dan Blything Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

Belong Gaming deliver unforgettable grassroots esports experience to gamers. Belong is a home for gamers, operating 6 physical LAN centers in the United States, with 27 locations operating in the UK through the licensed partner - GAME & Frasers Group. Belong is a community which welcomes all gamers. From those that are new to the world of gaming, as well as professional players and teams. Every gamer can feel like they’re part of something bigger with Belong.• Working directly for the CEO & General Manager supporting the C-Suite team across the business • Represented the CEO, General Manager a C-Suite team at all times • Implemented processes for business planning and coordination of activity and events • Project managing key business projects across operations, marketing, retail, technology and finance • Working with C-Suite to define the business strategy, and immediate actions to deliver • Created process for regular employee communications to circa 30+ employees • Meeting coordination, scheduling, documenting and action management • Creating engaging sales presentations for existing and potential external partners • Development of internal processes to improve efficiency and deliverables • Managed and established best practices and process for new employee onboarding• Research of market trends, competitors and Real Estate locations and opportunities • Data analysis of financial reporting and summarising findings clearly and concise for the C-Suite team• Established Franchising operations manual to support location franchising strategy• Research of market trends, competitors and locations across the US • Supported the delivery and content creation of the company's mission, vision and values proposition • Development of internal processes to improving efficiencies• Adopted a flexible approach to working hours to support collaborative working with USA counterparts, whilst accommodating the various time zones in the USA.

Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom

Belong Arenas UK is a subsidiary within the Frasers Group, a non-retail division that operates the UK’s leading Esports Arenas across 26 locations.• A seconded role to support the start-up of a new esports gaming arena business in the USA working in a consultancy capacity; opening 10 arenas in 2021 and setting the foundation to progress to 500 within five years, supported by a $230 million investment• Established business project plan with the CEO to define and build the foundations of the business • Collaborative working with the UK team ensuring all stakeholders contribute within their role• Developed use of Asana project management tools to support rollout and business build • Creating engaging sales presentations for existing and potential partners and sponsors of the business • Established wider business planning processes and procedures • Tracking documents and updates presented to stakeholders regularly • Implemented new employee onboarding process and induction plans • Relationship management between the UK and USA businesses to ensure contractual obligations are met.• Spearheaded internal employee communications on behalf of the CEO and C-Suite team• Meeting coordination, scheduling, documenting and action management• Research of market trends, competitors and Real Estate locations and opportunities • Data analysis of financial reporting and summarising findings clearly and concise for the C-Suite team• Adopted a flexible approach to working hours to support collaborative working with USA counterparts, whilst accommodating the various time zones in the USA.

Basingstoke

Game is an electronic gaming specialist retailer recently acquired by Frasers Group plc operating throughout the UK and Spain. Employing circa 2,500 people increasing to over 3,000 during peak trading periods across 240 stores, head office, and distribution centre. A subsidiary within the Group is Belong Gaming, a non-retail division that operates the UK’s leading Esports Arenas across 26 locations.• Reporting to the CEO and responsible for a team of Business Managers supporting management • Business Management team supported across Operations, Commercial, Marketing and Belong arenas • As Senior Business Manager, represented the CEO and his priorities at all times • Management, tracking and implementation of key business projects• Designing and creating engaging partner presentations for CEO outreach and business development • Providing progress updates for all projects, highlighting issues and risks• Planning and implementation of internal events and annual conference - structure, logistics & content • Meeting coordination, scheduling, documenting and action management• Research of market trends, competitors and business opportunities • Data analysis of financial reporting and summarising findings clearly and concise for the C-Suite team• Management and development of 5 Assistant Business Managers with several progressed into other roles within the business

Basingstoke

• Reporting to the CEO, and responsible for delivering across all areas of support • Represented the CEO and his priorities at all times • Management, tracking and implementation of key business projects • Designing and creating engaging partner presentations for CEO outreach and business development • Providing accurate progress updates for all projects highlighting issues and risks• Planning and implementation of internal events and annual conference - structure, logistics & content • Meeting coordination, scheduling, documenting and action management• Research of market trends, competitors and business opportunities • Data analysis of financial reporting and summarising findings clearly and concise for the C-Suite team

Basingstoke

• Day to to day management, creation of communications and regular tasking to over 300+ stores • Assessing, sourcing and implementing digital business solutions to improve in-store digital proposition • Supporting Commercial and Marketing teams with Remerch projects and seasonal store changes • Management and development of 2x Operations Assistants within the team • Launched and developed improved company intranet for store teams, including ongoing management • Developing ways to communicate to stores including improving the tone of voice • Responsible for developing product launch information and materials to support employees training and product knowledge • Rolled out customer mystery shopper program across 300+ stores• Operations planning, content and logistics of annual conference (2013 and 2014)

Basingstoke

• Part of the Central Operations team reporting to the Retail Communications Manager • Responsible for liaising and supporting store locations & Regional Managers • Day to day management of communications from the Head Office to 300+ stores • Review of all store communications to ensure consistency and contain accurate detail • Management of the Gamestation brand's company intranet • Managing and develop the Operations Assistant role within the team • Delivering Operational projects from inception through to implementation• Point of contact for Regional and Divisional Managers• Launched policies and procedures to align GAME and Gamestation brands and achieve efficiencies • Created an improved and streamlined process for weekly commercial documentation for stores • Launched process for Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) returns process for Gamestation stores• Managed central ticket system for store issues, working with departments to resolve in a timely fashion • Maintained central store supplies inventory working with partners to achieve efficiencies and cost savings

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

Gamestation was an electronic gaming retail specialist focused on console gaming and the trading in / selling of pre-owned games up until it was acquired by Game PLC in May 2007.• Multi-Site management role managing and developing a region of 5 store locations • Day to day management and performance of my own store as well as those within my cluster • Performance and P&L management of the locations within my cluster • Responsible for store compliance reviews, reviewing health & safety and business audits • Supported HR team with employee performance management • Management of Store Manager level recruitment and interview processes • Lead and conducting internal Management training courses across the region developing talent • Achieved 'Centre of Excellence' award for Oxford store with recognition from the business • Representing the Regional Manager in meetings and leading by example with decision making• Created effective relationships with external publishers and suppliers through frequent brand representation• Developed strong working relationships with all departments in Head office

Various Locations - Reading, Maidenhead, Basingstoke, Swindon, Bracknell, Oxford

• Day to day management of the store location • Recruitment of all employees and development of talent • Risk management and health & safety accountability for the location • Merchandising of product and implementing improves sales displays• Managing and implementing creative product launches with partners • Performance & P&L management of store • Responsible for developing 2 loss-making locations into profitable stores through improved efficiencies, team management and loss prevention • Planned and delivered best-in-class launch event in partnership with Oxford United FC, for the launch of annual FIFA video game• Delivered a successful mystery shopper programme pilot; delivered the highest mystery shop results upon launch of the programme