Neil Hedges Email & Phone Number

Solent

Spotted gap in the local market and sought out franchise for the erection of estate agency signs. Launched enterprise from standing start with zero customer base and rapidly achieved profitable position within 12 months♦ Negotiated 30 new estate agency accounts in six months, including several multi-branch clients, with first six awarded in just ten days; claimed title of fastest start-up franchisee in the company’s 14-year history. ♦ Built a solid local reputation and exceptional client relations, which led to profitable sale of the business to a local operator.

Various

Provided valuable, hands-on consultancy support, acted as trusted Board advisor, and empowered organic client growth. Key projects included: ♦ Seymour Distribution: project managed the transfer of the logistics function to ensure effective handling and product distribution to the end-user. Directed focus of the outgoing carrier, CEVA Logistics, during final weeks of contract; maintained strong presence with the incoming carrier, Norbert Dentressangle – oversaw swift and seamless contract transition. Commended by the client’s MD: “I just wanted to drop you a note to say thanks for all your hard work over the last few months on behalf of Seymour, you have done a fantastic job for us, the transfer would not have gone so smoothly without your hard work.”♦ Fore Partnership: provided instrumental guidance in pitch preparation and strategy to achieve offer of business with a leading petrol forecourt retailer on behalf of a news and magazine category management firm.

Reading, United Kingdom

Headed relationship with key distributor, COMAG, one of the UKs largest marketing and distribution agencies. Enforced brand governance and adherence to performance indicators following group centralisation. Developed news trade copy strategies for the Trader Media portfolio, including the development and execution of promotional campaigns, with a promotions budget of £850K. ♦ Oversaw carriage solutions with operational accountability for product transport and delivery. Safeguarded weekly on-time arrival of the publication across multiple regions, through meticulous carriage and transport management in challenging logistical circumstances. ♦ Pioneered full carriage review and centralised carrier contracts from six to two, with annual savings of £100K; led contract tender process and defined key disciplines; leveraged substantial savings across the logistics process and improved on time delivery by 3%. ♦ Outsourced TMG’s merchandising operation to Smiths news merchandising team, with strict KPIs and zero impact on sales performance. Leveraged annual savings of £820K.

Thatcham

Pioneered transformational change from 13 regional centres to one centralised group function, selling >500K across the title portfolio a week across the UK and Ireland. Generated annual savings of >£1M and leveraged scope to sell into major retail chains. ♦ Negotiated improved terms with major distributors; established KPIs and authored full in-depth analysis report for presentation to the Board, with ultimate recommendation for distributor selection. ♦ Instrumental member of the management team that agreed strategy to reduce predicted circulation decline against soaring online traffic.

Reading, United Kingdom

Internally headhunted by regional MD to oversee circulation across London and Thames Valley, with remit to protect revenue and reduce decline. Managed three regional centres with a staff of 35♦ Achieved 3% rate of circulation deterioration, which outperformed 7% national average. ♦ Created and executed ‘promotions club’ concept for top-performing independent stores, which saw retailers outpace the market by 5%.

Reading, United Kingdom

Managed circulation and sales for Thames Valley edition – Autotrader’s flagship publication – during a period of significant regression with a circulation of >44,000. Developed circulation of the both Autotrader and Adtrader, together with launch of free publication, Auto Freeway, from a standing start to overthrow local market competition. Managed a circulation team of 14. ♦ Overhauled systems and processes from the bottom up; streamlined and automated the proforma process for wholesaler net sales, and pre-agreed week supply figures. Leveraged significant time savings across the sales lifecycle, leading to revenue increase. ♦ Established merchandiser KPIs to encourage retailer promotions and improve productivity. ♦ Improved local and regional Board visibility across the sales process; devised suite of sales reports to showcase wholesaler performance.

Recruited as Retail Merchandiser and progressed through every sales role with increasing responsibility, holding the title of highest achieving Sales Manager for three consecutive years. Ultimately promoted to the Board with operational responsibility for the entire sales operation, with revenues of £6M.

Rapidly promoted through the ranks, with oversight for all back office functions, including cash and invoice management.