Acquired the business from founder with equity partnership with AREV ( Icelandic investment company ) and debt structure provided by HBOS. Grew business from £9m to £38m Turnover. Negotiated property deals (Capital contributions and Rent free periods agreed ) resulting in acquisition of new stores in important locations. Recruited retail and buying directors Worked closely with external design team to introduce a new store design concept Introduced all Retail, buying and merchandising , HR and training systems, procedures and disciplines. Acquired and integrated a second business (Limeys, Midlands based branded retailer) on the back of promised further funding injection from the Icelandic investors. September 2008 collapse of the Icelandic equity partners plus troubled times for UK banks led to severe and damaging times for the business. Intense, detailed and protracted negotiation with HBOS resulted in the business being successfully restructured through a pre pack administration process .

Joined the founders with a view to introducing best practice retail procedures , processes, standards and structure and to build a retail team capable of taking the business to all key high street locations . Instrumental in bringing credibility and scale to what was initially an independent retailer, trading in secondary locations, Identifying future location opportunities and negotiating with landlords. Introduced all Retail, security and Health and Safety structures and procedures. Recruited 3 x Area managers, HR manager, Visual merchandising manager and Training manager and introduced all key systems , procedures and standards Worked with external design and shopfitting teams to develop, introduce and roll out new store design. Grew the business form approximately £9m turnover to a peak in excess of £80m turnover generating EBITDA in excess of £4m. Heavily involved in the due diligence process that ultimately led to the sale of the business to Sir Tom Hunter's West Coast Capital investment vehicle

Positions held: ACTING SALES DIRECTOR Covering this role for 12 months due to maternity leave of permanent Sales DIrector . reporting directly to Chief Executive Simon Wolfson .Responsible for all retail sales teams and store operations . Turnover approximately £500m REGIONAL MANAGER NORTH OF ENGLAND ,SCOTLAND , IRELANDTurnover approximately £160 m.responsible for team of 6 area mangers ,regional VM , Hr , Security and training managers . General Manager (head of Next originals) Area Manager Product Manager