A unique online destination for garden lovers, offering outstanding products, sage advice and abundant inspiration. I aim to put the best tools in one hand and the best knowledge in the other, helping people create beautiful outdoor spaces.Expertise: - Creating the brand and setting up Dan Cooper Garden business and website - using knowledge of gardening, horticulture and buying, and accompanying this with expert advice for gardeners. - Establishing partnerships with suppliers and a fulfilment partner. - Sourcing and buying horticultural products. - Ensuring excellent customer service. - Business management: accounting & finance, legal, marketing and administration. - Presenting and creating content for TV, social media and leading brands. - Author of The Frustrated Gardener blog, consistently ranked in the UK’s top 10, and featured in The Sunday Telegraph’s lead article on new horticulturists shaking up the gardening scene. - Tending two coastal courtyard gardens, one large allotment, 120 dahlias and over 200 houseplants. Gardens have opened for the National Garden Scheme since 2014 and appeared on BBC Gardeners’ World in 2019 & 2020. They have also appeared in print across multiple magazine titles, including the FT, Homes and Gardens and RHS The Garden (cover), and in books including ‘Fearless Gardening’ and ‘Garden Design, A Book of Ideas’.

One of the UK's leading gardening blogs with a substantial international following. A source of expert advice and information about plants and gardens.

Led a team of 15 people to buy for all John Lewis and Waitrose retail stores and online businesses, reviewing and reinventing the buying strategy in relation to emerging trends, customer insight and competitor activity. Helped JL become the market leader for Christmas, with 14% market share (growing turnover from £36M to £100M in 8 years, with Christmas & Gifting becoming the most profitable department). - Built own brand product ranges to create a market-leading range, complemented with quality brands, liaising with internal stakeholders to create the look and profile to meet customer demand and emerging trends (c£40M budget, the most profitable ‘Home’ assortment). - Created and nurtured strong relationships with global brand partners to secure exclusive ranges and launches, ensuring a market hold and anticipating customers’ needs. - Managed the negotiation of commercial contracts to build profitability and drive e-tenders. - Managed the critical path to deliver launches on time, on budget and on brief, as well as developing marketing campaigns. - Set the sustainability agenda for own brand products, as well as engaging brands to explore and focus on this opportunity. - Delivered commercial KPIs and drove Christmas trading using sales analysis. - Led innovation, facilitating training in all business areas and managed innovation for John Lewis's own brand, personality and packaging. - Coached and mentored leadership teams to instil a culture of professional development and growth, setting challenges and targets. Achieved promotions for team members, ensured knowledge and experience were shared and that a succession plan was in place. - Leading industry spokesperson on Christmas trends and retailing. Made appearances on Radio & TV interviews, conference videos and leadership conferences. - Introduced experiences into JL shops, including personalisation from brands such as Kit-Kat, Quality Street, Edinburgh Gin, Belvedere, Fever Tree and Kinder.

Leading a large team responsible for Home product development, seasonal events and own brand packaging.

New position created to align design, marketing, retail and buying behind key, seasonal events. Responsible for managing the design and execution of seasonal events in department stores and online. Creation of strategy, design and marketing briefs to unify approach and look & feel.

Responsible for Business Intelligence and Mystery Shopping, reporting to Deputy Chairman.