John Pickles Email & Phone Number

England, United Kingdom

Responsible for setup and launch of an outsourced UK based field sales team, client relationship management and ongoing leadership of the team to deliver against client KPIs.

EMEA

Europe

• Strategic and day to day management of the outsourced European sales team, targeted to drive revenue and market share through corporate travel management companiesKey Achievements:
• Achieving stretch targets for revenue growth 4 out 5 years in role.
• Developing “Brand Awareness” activity to support and grow all 14 brands.
• Creating and delivering agent engagement initiatives to grow awareness and revenue in targeted channels.
• Strategic analysis of business opportunities and gained additional investment to expand sales team coverage to include Poland and Austria.

• Client Service Manager (Sony Ericsson / Sony Mobile) – Oct’10 to PresentRelationship management of key account and management of Sony Mobile’s national field sales and training team.Key Achievements:
• Developing Sony Mobile’s “Brand Ambassador” program focused on driving brand advocacy and product recommendation rate in retail.
• Development & implementation of Sony Mobile’s 2012 trade engagement plan.
• Continuously exceeding both sales and training targets demonstrating continuous quarter on quarter growth.
• Implementation of new behavioural and functional competencies to help drive people development.
• Significant career progression and very low churn rate within the team. Client Service Manager (Microsoft) – March’10 to Oct’10Relationship management of key account and management of Microsoft’s national field sales.

• Senior Account Manager (British American Tobacco) – April’07 to Aug’09Account Manager (Electronic Arts) – Jan’07 to April’07Relationship management of key account providing customer contact solutions through a core.
• Winning “Best new comer to the business for 2007”
• Developed growth in key account from £1.4m to £4.2m by:
• Growth in contractual team and increase in breadth of customer contact to include Distributive and Grocery Multiples.
• Launched new HORECA team in London
• Launched new team in Ireland

• Partnership Manager – Sept ’05 to Jan’07Relationship management of key accounts (mainly blue-chip retailers)Key Achievements
• Successfully launched and implemented a new key account, requiring a bespoke storecard programme which involved developing many new processes in order to meet the retailers’ needs. This resulted in an additional £12.
• Achieved all KPI’s for all clients for 2005, despite the difficult economic climate.
• Established influential and credible relationships with all key contacts.
• Developed and implemented quality business strategies for clients to achieve mutually profitable results.
• Added value to Creations commercial proposition through the development of new products such as gift card and promotional credit.

• Key Achievements
• Managed 7 stores and reported directly to the Retail Director and Regional Manager (North), deputising for the latter in his absence.
• Consistently delivered strong LFL performance from all my stores including a flagship site in the Mailbox in Birmingham despite the opening of the Bull Ring.
• Introduced company standard office systems across the company and heavily contributing to the policies and procedures handbook.
• Successfully managed the opening of 7 new stores and 1 store relocation, including liaising with shop fitters, recruitment of staff and managers, facilitating training, stock package allocation and merchandising.
• Produced all visual merchandising guidelines as part of a team of four.

• Key Achievements
• Recruited as part of an initial team of four to assist in the launch of the brand.
• Successfully organised the opening of over 18 new stores, from liaising with shop fitters, to recruiting managers and staff, training and merchandising.
• Achieved the highest sales out of over 120 stores both on quantity and quality for the opening week of my store, and never dropped from the top five.
• Developed new stock control and security procedures, as well as writing several training packs improving both staff sales skills and product knowledge.

National Diploma, • Hotel, Catering & Institutional Management

• Seven G.C.S.E.’S Grade A-C Including Maths And English