Gary Thompson Email & Phone Number

Belper, Derbyshire, Gb

Belper, Derbyshire, Gb

Bristol, Gb

Coats Digital develop, sell, implement and support business critical software which harnesses best practice and technology to transform the way fashion businesses design, develop, cost, source and manufacture.Following the successful sale of Fast React Systems Ltd and having subsequently been a key part of the team responsible for delivering or exceeding all Sales and Purchase Agreement targets over 3 years as COO, agreed to remain with the business for a further two years supporting strategy refresh and with responsibility for strategic partnerships, global marketing and key commercial processes.Key Achievements• Built foundations for new Coats Digital partner programme, including partner agreements, commission structures, on-boarding, activation and optimisation. Identified, qualified and negotiated terms to secure new partners and mitigate Covid impact, improving pipeline quality and cover to support accelerated revenue growth.• Integrated and restructured marketing: marketing strategy, organisational development, team, priorities and KPIs. Delivered new digital platforms and content, launched thought leadership program, campaigns and regional tactical marketing. Established and delivered against KPIs focused on leads and pipeline, supporting accelerated revenue growth.• Redefined and simplified customer contracts and product pricing, moving from manual, disconnected processes to standardised and progressively digitized approach.

Working with Founder/MD, CFO and Board, responsible for developing and executing strategies for the positioning and sale of the business, with targeted investment (opex/capex), exceptional, focused teams, and systems and business process improvement driving a step change in performance across marketing, sales and operations.Key Achievements• Successfully secured a suitable partner (Coats) to acquire the business. In the 3 years following the sale, consistently exceeded all S&PA and budget commitments, including accelerated growth of revenue and EBIT• Strengthened people through changes to organisational structure, team, roles, CPD and culture.• Standardisation, documentation and automation of key business processes, including refining marketing and sales management / processes / assets, CRM and business OKRs / KPIs. Transformation of delivery team and implementation process, increasing efficiency and on-time delivery. Introduction of Customer Service Agreements (SLAs) and driving of support performance with significant improvement in case numbers and resolution.• Drove market focused product development to support the launch of new browser-based product lifecycle management (PLM) solution with clear market positioning and USP. Introduction of SaaS pricing with significant increase in recurring revenue.• Identified, qualified and on-boarded exceptional agent / partner for LATAM, driving consistent year on year revenue growth and customer satisfaction in key strategic market.

New business start-up conceived to revolutionise the way in which individuals in the corporate, education and charitable sector engage in charitable giving, while concurrently assisting businesses in the entertainment and leisure markets improve capacity utilisation and reinforce their CSR credentials.Joined shortly after inception of business with responsibility for developing and executing the commercial strategy.Key Achievements• Built and led team; developed and executed go-to-market strategy; secured 450 commercial partners (+20% v budget) across UK and exceeded revenue and gross margin targets (+ 5% v budget).• Secured national fundraising partners including UK PTA, British Heart Foundation, DFS and Trinity Mirror Group.

New business start-up targeting a niche in the informal fine dining market in the East Midlands.Key Achievements• Developed concept and business plan, set up new company, secured successful industry entrepreneurs as directors and investors. Attracted and negotiated terms for private equity, bank, lease and brewery funding to launch business.• Identified sites, secured planning permission and licensing, appointed main contractors and drove fit out of premises.• Recruited, trained and developed team, implemented processes, procedures, controls and KPIs to run the business.• Led growth and expansion of business to local and national acclaim, adding further lounge bar, 2 AA Rosette restaurant, bar and deli - growing business to a total of 70 employees, with revenue of £2m and an EBIT of c. £250k.• Negotiated successful trade sale of part of business as highly profitable going concern in 2007, before exiting the industry in 2012.

Yardley, Pa, Us

Appointed as the company’s youngest ever General (Factory) Manager with a brief to transform one of its oldest factories within 2 years or close it. Assumed full P&L and Balance Sheet responsibility for the factory which employed 300 people, and which was delivering revenue of £20m and an operating loss of £1.8mKey Achievements:• Led the business through a period of unprecedented change, strengthening the management team and developing and delivering a strategy focused on core business (exiting non-profitable activity) and securing investment in equipment (Capex £1.25m), people (100% new leadership team) and processes / culture (ISO 9002, Kaizen).• Challenging role which required the loss of 100 people through redundancy but secured the long-term future of the factory which became the most profitable in the Group.• Dramatic improvement in customer service, (on-time deliveries up by 24%, quality up by 52%), and a £2m improvement at operating profit level.

Yardley, Pa, Us

Promoted to lead a team of 8 responsible for the £15m UK promotional packaging business, targeting and working with the marketing teams of FMCG businesses in the confectionary, biscuit, wine and spirits and duty-free markets.Key Achievements• Changed the organisation of the sales team from a product to market focus; led the recruitment and development of new talent, implemented new go to market strategy, sales process, KPIs and commission structure. • Leadership of sales team delivering consecutive years of record growth of revenue (CAGR 23%) and margin (+6%)• Secured largest ever multi-year deal with Nestle to take on in-house manufacturing representing £10m+ per annum.

Yardley, Pa, Us

New Business Development, Quality Assurance, Project Work