Jeff Caplan Email & Phone Number

Born out of a passion for good Customer Service I established Storecheckers UK Ltd with my business partner Rena Shaw in 1989. Since its formation we have become a respected player in the field of Mystery Shopping, Market Research & Training to improve customer satisfaction and in turn revenue for clients.My key responsibilities are for strategic business development which includes key account management and moving the business into new sectors as the shape of the retail landscape is continually changing. Over the years new areas have covered video mystery shopping reviews, employee satisfaction reviews, on-line data analysis & reporting and enabling calls to be digitally recorded and emailed.Over the past 25 years the services of Storecheckers have been utilised by both major groups and smaller chains. All have found them to be highly cost effective tools to use for improving performance and sales revenue. Many of our clients past and present are well known High Street names including Aldi, Pets at Home, Timpsons Repair and Virgin Retail, as well as leisure groups such as Campanile Hotels, Madame Tussauds, Hard Rock Cafe, Manchester United Football Club, Carluccios and Pitcher & Piano to name but a few.In view of my experience I am frequently asked to sit on judging panels for awards by organisations including Retail Jeweller, Manchester Business Improvement District & Liverpool Tourism. It is a pleasure to give something back to the business community.I am also a regular contributor to media on retail and service matters, including an article in The Guardian last autumn: http://www.theguardian.com/small-business-network/2014/nov/20/secret-shoppers-turn-around-small-business

Finance Director for UK subsidiary of a US company that operated two Duty Free sites, one at Gatwick North and the second a pre-order site for the Japanese and Asian market based near Piccadilly Circus. This was a start-up role to set up a UK operation within 6 months for what was then the largest Duty Free business in the world. I was responsible for the full development of sales and accounting systems, whilst ensuring that these operated within the onerous and regulatory Duty Free taxation regime.

As a Financial accountant reporting to the Finance Director I was responsible for maintaining control and continuously improving Mothercare’s fashion buying which had previously worked with minimal financial controls. I instigated and oversaw procedural operations of full ‘open to buy’ systems, ensuring that within two seasons overbuys were brought under control. I also took the lead in cutting down losses from theft and stock control improvements which had a significant impact on the opening of a new £30m distribution warehouse where more space could be released for retail sales instead of stock.

Joined as trainee accountant for one year in Ernst & Young’s Hull office before transferring to London. Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1982 and spent two years post qualification as an Audit Supervisor. This involved working in insurance and retail and I also had the opportunity to be part of the E&Y team that carried out the privatisation of British Airways.

Bachelor Of Science (Bsc), Economics And Accounting

Activities and Societies: Vice Chair of RAG Charity Committee Elected to Union Council Member of student TV society

Education record