Debbie Smith Email & Phone Number

United Kingdom

London, England, United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Payzone Bill Payments Limited is a business created on 24th October 2018 following the acquisition by Post Office Limited (POL) of the bill payments proposition from Payzone UK providing card and bill payment services to independent retailers, multiples and symbol groups across the UK. GP18/19 of £4.4m from a turnover of £7.1m. Lead the acquisition and chaired the business to deliver successful integration with POL including a total overhaul of the people, customer and digital strategies. Increased business performance though synergies and new business. including securing new exclusive upstream contracts e.g. British Gas. Managed many varied external stakeholders including government, CMA, relevant regulatory bodies, energy providers and retailers and took the lead on the PR campaigns.

FRES, a joint venture between Bank of Ireland and POL, offering a range of services including wholesale notes provision, supply to retailers, Travel Money Online, management of a pre paid Travel Money Card and international transfers. Provided oversight and challenge on strategy, business development and financial and operational risks.

London

P and L accountability for the POL Retail business including the commercial product management and marketing of Parcels and other Mails, Bill Payments, Everyday Banking, Government Services, Retail and Lottery. Ownership of the key commercial relationships e.g. Royal Mail, UK High Street Banks, Camelot, British Gas, UKGI and the retail multiple partners i.e. Coop, McColls, Spar, WHSmith. Delivered significantly increased value to the business through new and better commercial agreements e.g. High Street Banks, British Gas. Developed and lead the implementation of a new Strategy to enable the business to be more attractive to customers, franchisees and partners. This included trialing and rolling out new formats, digitising and automating customer propositions e.g. Labels 2 Go and Parcel Shop for parcels, Digital Check and Send for passports and a Travel Money app for travel money and insurance Built a high performing customer focused and diverse retail executive team through new appointments and individual and team development. Increased colleague engagement in the Retail BU by 13% pts. Lead the Women in Retail development group and sponsored the PRIDE and BAME working groups

Nottingham, United Kingdom

In addition to the Managing Director role for Boots Ireland, I also had P and L accountability for a third of the stores organisation in Boots UK, comprising over 900 stores and 22000 people with a turnover in excess of 2.5bn. Involved in the creation and delivery of the 3YP for Boots UK and developed and delivered an award winning customer programme that step changed the engagement of colleagues and the care provided to customers across the UK and Ireland.

Ireland

P and L accountability for the Republic of Ireland business.Accountable for the total business including Strategy, Finance, Commercial, Marketing, Digital, Operations and HR.Step changed the performance of the Irish business in a very difficult economy through bold change in the Retail and Pharmacy offer, significant simplification of the operating platform and a major people change programme. Lead ground breaking change in Pharmacy, including launching controversial new pharmacy services e.g. ‘the morning after pill’ and fundamentally changing the pricing model for pharmacy in Ireland for the future. Achieved revenue growth of 10%, reduced operating costs by 5% and delivered a 30% increase in trading profit.Developed a portfolio growth strategy for Ireland securing funding from the wider international group to successfully open 17 new stores over 18 months and creating Boots Ireland’s first e-commerce site, Boots.ie, based on analysis of a wide range of e-commerce models. Boots.ie now generates €35m pa. Repositioned the Boots brand as a responsible business in Ireland and a great place to work and shop being the first retailer in Ireland to be awarded the prestigious Business Working Responsibly Mark and achieving 8th place in Irish Independents Best Places to Work in Ireland ( BPTWI)Personally recognised as one of the Top 5 most trusted leaders in Ireland at the Irish Independents BPTWI.Repositioned the Boots brand as a responsible business in Ireland and a great place to work and shop. Personally recognised as one of the top 5 most trusted leaders in Ireland.

Dublin

Retail Ireland is the leading public affairs, Government relations and trade representation body for the Irish retail industry. It operates as a dedicated unit within Ibec, Ireland's foremost business, enterprise and employers group. Responsible for developing and overseeing the delivery of a strategy to enhance the profile of the retail industry and promoting a more positive business environment for Irish retail. This involved championing the interests and concerns of retailers to Government, media and other relevant bodies and promoting the social and economic importance of retail in Ireland at key events.

Ireland

Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) is a not for profit organisation that provides bespoke advice to some of the most progressive multinational and indigenous companies in Ireland, helping smaller enterprises navigate and understand CSR. Provided oversight and challenge to the future strategy whilst ensuring effective and consistent implementation of the current one. A trusted adviser on responsible business practices in Ireland , leading by example in her own business ( first retailer to be awarded the prestigious Business Working Responsibly Mark) and encouraging, advising and influencing other business through 1 to 1 conversations and speaking at key events, driving awareness and increasing membership. Championed the 'Schools Business Partnership' scheme to encourage and increase school completion and two social inclusion programmes, 'Ready for Work' and 'EPIC' to support the homeless and immigrants in Ireland in securing education and employment.

Accountable for the leadership of 16,000 people and the delivery of the P and L for 650 stores in the East Divison.

London, United Kingdom And Yorkshire

Nottingham, United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Bsc(Hons), Pharmacy

Transition To General Management, Executive Development Programme