Running the day to day logistics, administration, accounts and marketing aspects of Max Climate Solutions.

Offering a freelance VM service to retail, printing and creative industries. Having worked in the retail industry for 10 years within the VM sector at management level, I have extensive experience in creative design, VM installation, print purchasing and project management. I have now made the decision to work as a freelance VM, offering support across all areas of my expertise, when and where needed. I am flexible, knowledgable and reliable and take pride in each and every freelance project no matter how big or small.

LOOKING AFTER; LINKS OF LONDON, JUICY COUTURE AND FOLLI FOLLIE• Reporting directly to the Store Design Director, controlling the Visual Merchandising proposition for Links of London, Juicy Couture and Folli Follie.• Managing the Visual Merchandising team consisting of a VM Coordinator and three Field Visual Merchandisers.• Working with Marketing, Merchandising and Product to create a VM calender for all three brands• Introducing a tendering process to improve supplier relationships, ensure competitive costs and maximise budgets.• Designing and producing all in-store POS and Window Schemes globally, translating for international markets where necessary.• Translating direction from Greek and US Head Offices to roll out UK Visual Merchandising schemes and directives for Folli Follie and Juicy Couture.• Working across Wholesale, Retail and International, maintaining and evolving a strong visual proposition and brand image.• Controlling designated yearly budgets across three brands.• Designing and developing the complete props range for retail and wholesale for Links of London.• Developing a Model Store strategy for the global Links of London brand.• Working closely with the all Marketing teams to support promotions and social activity in-store.• Working with the Product and Merchandising teams to identify key product then deciding best VM practices and rolling out guidelines.• Coordinating and overseeing the VM set up for all global new store openings including commercial layouts plans, allocations and delivery of all VM equipment and set up.

• Managing the Visual Merchandising and Graphics department, overseeing the creative direction and consistency of four brands; Office, Offspring, Poste and Poste Mistress. • Taking reference from customer profiles and seasonal trends to research, design and produce all in-store and window schemes and POS. • Constantly trialing new creative concepts and VM equipment to develop the ‘look and feel’ of stores. Presenting all findings to the CEO and Directors. • Planning and rolling out VM training sessions for Store Managers.• Working with the Commercial Director to evolve new store design including wallpaper, fascia and equipment finishes. • Coordinating and overseeing the ViM set up for all new store openings including window layout plans, allocations and delivery of all VM equipment and set up.• Being a key part of opening the first two European stores in Germany, looking after all VM and graphics strategies and assisting the Marketing and Property teams.• Creating a VM planner to ensure no events or key dates are missed and ensuring enough time to produce any required POS.• Supporting the Press department with season launch; press day themes including venue, props and merchandising, invites, look books and photo shoots. • Working with the Buying team to identify key product and trends for the season then producing creative schemes to highlight and compliment them.• Liaising with the ecommerce department to ensure brand consistency across the stores and website.• Managing a VM Coordinator, Graphic Designer and Senior Graphic Designer, organising their workloads and driving their development.

• Researching themes and sourcing relevant props, antiques and soft furnishings for new store openings within a designated budget and timeline. Ensuring both commercial and visual needs are met.• Collating relevant VM instructions for twice weekly VM updates and fortnightly window guidelines.• Producing seasonal and adhoc guidelines for stores. Involving; In-store mock ups, compiling relevant information and photographs, creating artwork, pulling together allocations and organising printing.• Visiting stores to ensure VM guidelines are being adhered to and raising VM issues that need to be addressed across the whole company.• Liaising with overseas partners through photographs, giving comprehensive feedback on merchandising within their locations.• Maintaining the accounts for all VM equipment in storage, including: raising and paying invoices, logging items in and out, re-charging as appropriate and stocktaking.• All admin duties for the VM department; invoices, expenses, travel and accommodation, filing, stationary orders, and organising team events. • Driving the development and production of VM equipment using current and new suppliers.• Allocating and sending all props and VM equipment to new and existing stores.

• Working with Creative, Marketing and Visual Operations teams to produce window schemes, window guidelines, window posters and in-store graphics including Sale and POS. • Knowledge of print processes, creating comprehensive graphic and prop briefs.• Supplier liaison, tendering briefs to least three suppliers and negotiating prices to meet budgets.• Writing store guidelines including: Windows, Sale, commercial messages, visual propositions, fixture placement and new season merchandising guidelines for all departments and new trends.• Giving presentations on new season graphic and merchandising concepts to Head Office, Stores and Field teams.• Planning timings and reviewing budgets for all projects.• Collating relevant information and writing articles for the store’s weekly newsletter.• Working closely with Layout Planning and Field Visual Managers to support new store set ups. • Deputising for a team of 5 in Manager’s absence. • Using MAC programs including Quark, In-design, Photoshop and Illustrator to create artwork and guidelines.