Senior member of the management team, reporting directly to the Managing Director and accountable for driving the commercial success of the largest greeting card manufacturers and wholesalers in the Southern Hemisphere. Designed and delivered the annual marketing plan and communication strategy to raise brand awareness, increase brand equity and deliver excellent brand architecture. Controlled a marketing budget of £100k, efficiently managing expenditure and ensuring the effective… Show more Senior member of the management team, reporting directly to the Managing Director and accountable for driving the commercial success of the largest greeting card manufacturers and wholesalers in the Southern Hemisphere. Designed and delivered the annual marketing plan and communication strategy to raise brand awareness, increase brand equity and deliver excellent brand architecture. Controlled a marketing budget of £100k, efficiently managing expenditure and ensuring the effective management of costs. As Brand ambassador and champion, drove the B2B communication strategy, product launches, promotions & events, calendars, catalogues, copywriting, PR material, POS, social media, e-commerce, and below the line campaigns.  Forged strong partnerships and relationships with both stakeholders and clients. Directed communications agencies in delivering the marketing plan for new product launches, events, and marketing collateral including promotional calendars, catalogues, and PR material.  Monitored and interpreted trends in market and consumer behaviour, ensuring the identification of risks and opportunities for new product and campaign launches. Introduced strategies for succession planning, recruitment, and performance management of managers and staff including a small design studio. Show less

Started career with Cardies as a Retail Regional Manger and quickly gained promotion into marketing and operations management with key responsibility for managing the performance of circa 40 stores and implementing marketing strategies to drive growth and profitability. Led and directed the activities of regional managers accountable for overseeing and managing the performance of regional stores.  Transformed the productivity and efficiency of the marketing and operational function… Show more Started career with Cardies as a Retail Regional Manger and quickly gained promotion into marketing and operations management with key responsibility for managing the performance of circa 40 stores and implementing marketing strategies to drive growth and profitability. Led and directed the activities of regional managers accountable for overseeing and managing the performance of regional stores.  Transformed the productivity and efficiency of the marketing and operational function with the implementation of new processes and systems. Ensured stores operated efficiently and employed effective stock control, P&L management and visual merchandising in accordance with store standards whilst increasing sales. Reviewed franchise profit & loss and budget performance, ensuring effective control of costs and expenditure throughout all stores.  Prepared the annual marketing plan, ensuring its effectiveness within the brand's strategic growth objectives.  Directed all aspects of integrated communications including vendor management, agency liaison, brand activation and interaction.  Launched above and below the line advertising campaigns across all media including TV, cinema, radio, print, social media, PR events and product placements, increasing sales by up to 15%.  Managed the marketing budget of circa £500k for the delivery of media and marketing campaigns. Collaborated with external advertising, media, digital, CRM, PR and research agencies to build marketing propositions and strategies to drive growth. Trained and mentored Franchisees on micro marketing their business’s ensuring that messages were clear, accurate and consistent with the Brand architecture, adding to the Brands equity. Show less

Joined the trainee manager programme and quickly progressed to Regional Branch Manager and winning the prestigious title of National Branch Manager of the year in 1996.  Integral member of the retail management team with key responsibility for improving the performance of regional stores. Oversaw regional store performance ensuring adherence to the overall business plan, financial budget, profit targets, direct cost control and compliance. Coached and mentored store managers and… Show more Joined the trainee manager programme and quickly progressed to Regional Branch Manager and winning the prestigious title of National Branch Manager of the year in 1996.  Integral member of the retail management team with key responsibility for improving the performance of regional stores. Oversaw regional store performance ensuring adherence to the overall business plan, financial budget, profit targets, direct cost control and compliance. Coached and mentored store managers and provided advice on initiatives to improve sales and operational processes.  Monitored operational standards and performance throughout regional stores, ensuring adherence to all legal requirements. Set service provision benchmarks and closely monitored KPIs to ensure consistent quality service delivery throughout stores. Show less