Katherine Gray Email and Phone Number

Provide design support to the Creative & Brand Director and to manage all procurement, deliveries and installation for all new interiors projects and existing spaces.Key Responsibilities• Managing procurement of all interior elements for new and existing projects and spaces• Management of delivery and installation schedules and processes• Daily management of budgets and timelines for interior projects• Preparing samples for sign-off meetings• Cataloguing and documenting interior projects and the production of SOP guidelines• Interior management support for all existing properties and spaces• Updating, maintaining and distributing mood board and specification documents• Design support, set-up and procurement of seasonal creative schemes and events• Mood board development for smaller projects , from brief to install• Sourcing furniture, artwork, fabric, wallpaper and accessories suppliers• Management of working replacements for all interior spaces• Technical specification for cross-over procurement between construction and interiors• CAD drawing technical support for basic floor plan changes • Signage inc marketing material, web and POS support

- Customer Service- Picture Frame Assembly- CAD Mount Cutter- In-house Baker & Team Support

- Set commercial, creative VM Planogram and in-store marketing directives to enable a consistent and rapidly growing international expansion program, consistently reflecting brand and global marketing strategy.- Working alongside all areas of the business such as Retail Operations, Buying & Merchandising, Marketing / PR and Store design to drive sales and deliver business goals.- Manage the flow of VM communication, coordinate and support all APAC / EMEA stores with seasonal directives in line with marketing, web and board directives. (Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, India, France, Spain, Middle East, South America)- Member of the Outlet Taskforce to improve VM presentation without compromising on value or commercial gains.- Developed the VM Training Manual and ran monthly training sessions instore with store staff to grow and develop VM awareness and VM capabilities. - Extensive UK and International travel throughout opening stores, training store staff and franchise partners, whilst representing the brand in a professional approachable manner.- Key protagonist in designing and developing UK 7500sq ft Piccadilly Flagship store whilst simultaneously launching flagship in Shanghai, China. Included shop fit / VM tools / props / windows / events.- Celebrated CK 20th Birthday (2013) with installation of Artisan Retreat at Chelsea Flower Show- Celebrated CK 25th Birthday (2018) was part of the work stream that bid, attempted and achieved Guinness World Record for World's Largest Afternoon Tea- Launched multiple high profile brand collaborations under CK x (Disney x10, Gola, New Balance, Heinz, Fearne Cotton x 2, YCN, Slydes)

- Manage Directors correspondence and daily appointments / client meetings- Source suppliers, create estimates for high end bespoke furnishings for a private international client base- Co-ordinate workroom in production of soft furnishings and upholstery- Deliver daily administrative tasks including quotes and estimates / banking / accounts / fabric orders

- As inaugural Visual Merchandiser at Jack Wills, founded the VM Dept and introduced key principals/standards - Led the Visual Merchandising strategy and vision in the development of a young dynamic brand.- Sourced new suppliers and negotiating prices for VM props throughout the UK and then to enable global expansion.- Oversaw buying functions and critical paths for New Stores working within Budget constraints.- Developed brand identity/projection, creative props and unique store environments.- Delivered creative concepts from production to installation at a consistently high standard on a global scale across all VM touch points across both brands.- Highly instrumental in creating an individual identity/feel to the store/brand throughout stores, concessions & pop ups- Led numerous store refits, relocations and openings helping the company grow from 12 stores to 82 (UK, Ireland, USA & HK)- Managed budgets/critical path of furniture, antiques and props, ensuring delivery to new stores 100% to deadline- Worked closely with contractors on customisation and configuration of specialist antiques and VM elements in both new/old stores to comply with the changing needs of the business- Established strong relations within the VM team, consistently developing innovative store layouts and props- Key protagonist in the successful development, launch and management of a new lifestyle brand Aubin & Wills with the Shoreditch store gaining Time Out’s best shop in London award

- Organizing and setting up at Trade Shows/ PURE – London, Bread & Butter- Barcelona, Who’s Next - Paris- Visual Display Collateral Selection /Production/Distribution of Graphics, Show cards for Distributors worldwide- Create Itinerary/Schedule for Store Visits and manage all travel expenses within budget constraints- High focus windows in House of Fraser, Oxford Street

- As inaugural Visual Merchandiser introduced key principals/standards for both wholesale and retail - Proved an outstanding Visual Merchandiser for a variety of highly successful retailers- Managed the brands presentation in major department stores, including House of Fraser, Fenwicks and John Lewis- Organising and coordinated sales meetings with international distributors and buyers, supporting the wholesale sales department.- Key VM successfully allocating show cards, carrier bags, brochures and hangers for stores- Designed and installed eye-catching displays at major trade shows in London, Barcelona and Paris (PURE - London, Prêt-a-Porter / Maison et Objet - Paris, Top Drawer / Pulse -London)- Worked closely with tradesmen, ensuring trade stands and VM installations were innovative- Regularly devised impeccable visual displays, including innovative showroom/reception presentations - Coordinated promotions and staff incentives, increasing productivity and achieving sales targets- Created and implemented a robust itinerary/schedule for store visits and managed travel expenses 100% to budget- Meticulously sourced props, VM elements and suppliers for all projects.- Installation of Shop fits House of Fraser –Oxford St OCT 2005, Bentalls-Kingston DEC 2003, House of Fraser-Birmingham 2002- Key protagonist in the design and development of the brand identity for Body to Home Collection

- Proved an outstanding visual merchandiser for Australia’s No 1 department store group- Managed brand presentation across all categories/concessions within the store- Organised and set-up eye-catching seasonal displays to a promotional calendar ie Christmas, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Cosmetic/Fragrance launches, Instore events.- Specialised in Homeware's and Cosmetics although worked across all departments - Worked alongside shopfitters to manage the Store refit schedule, relocating and resetting departments within short time spans/limited resource.- Build strong relationships with store floor teams in understanding the importance of VM instore.

Specialising In:- Managed 2 studio artists on prop production, set design and installations for high profile South Australian Events in JM Auditorium (e.g. Magic Cave)- After briefing produce seasonal props for 5 stores that can be delivered and installed by remote teams- Manage and maintain prop warehouse

- Implementing and maintain day to day VM standards across a number of categories. Specialising In: Bedding (including Sheridan Australia), Homewares, Stationery, Sporting Goods, Music, Electrical (TV/Audio, Small, Home Office)- Member of the “Hit Team” travelling to stores within the group and identify departments requiring a new or separate identity. Installed and merchandised these departments within each store.- Contributed and assisted in the writing of the VM Guidelines & Policies for the group.

(Supervisor Aug 1993 – Dec 1994)- Implementing and maintain day to day VM standards across a number of categories in one of the busiest stores within the group. Specialising In: Cosmetics & Homewares - Following VM guidelines and schemes that have been given by Head Office.- Regularly devised creative visual displays and presentations within budgets. Found objects were key- National Competition Winner of in-store display for Clarks children’s shoe brand- Young Achiever’s Awards Presentation, designed and installed display for the Young Achiever’s Award night.

- Installing VM schemes in Westfield Shopping Centres inline with the key marketing promo's, Mothers Day, Valentines, Sales, Easter- Installation and removal of Christmas Decorations in shopping malls- Manage the production/dressing of the decorations and the teams accountable