Green Zebra supports SME's to build greener businesses. Knowing that you want to do something is one thing, knowing where to start is another. With the support of Green Zebra, your business can prioritise high impact steps to greater sustainability. Take our Sustainability Quiz, attend a Greener Business Workshop or engage with like minded businesses on our 8 Pillar Programme to build your greener business.

Get a fresh look at your retail business from Retail Renewal. Whether your business is a small independent shop or a nationwide chain there’s a solution to get things to where you want them to be. Finding it starts here. Take action to get your tills ringing again by contacting Retail Renewal for a consultation. Working online or in-person we’ll do an extensive review of your business. You’ll get a written report with a strategic plan to transform your business. You can choose to continue to have ongoing support with monthly check-ins or you can implement the changes yourself.

Charity Retail Ireland is the all island representative body for charities who operate in teh retail space to fundraise for their causes and we are funded mainly by our charity members. Our members range from large national charities to local, community based charities and our 42 members operate 500 shops nationwide. All our members are registered with the Charities Regulator or the Charity Commission of Northen Ireland.

CRNI is the all Island representative body for community based reuse, repair and recycling organisations. Linda's work with CRNI has included textile reuse and the circular economy for textiles and the fashion industry.

In this new role I devised a national strategy for developing the shop network. Key tasks were:Find new shop sites and project manage the opening of new storesEstablish procedures for the operation of the shopsRecruit and manage shop managers Controll the financial management and profitability of the shopsOpen shops in new Simon Communities

My main function in this new role was to assist the start up of the On The Run brand in Ireland.Assist the start up and operation of newly acquired sites, specifically in the area of processes and controls. Carry out necessary checks and verification in key control areas, and guide and mentor store managers in improve the financial health of their stores.Work proactively to improve the level of site safety. Investigate any on-site safety or security incidents, and provide any coaching or guidance needed to put improved procedures in place.

As Store Manager in Dublin of the first Debenhams store to operate outside the UK, my role was to consolidate the management team and the trading position of the store in Ireland. Key areas of responsibility were:The operation of a 90,000 sq.ft. store and a 23,000 sq.ft. external warehouse through a management team of 25 people and 280 staff, responsible for sales, profitability and cost control.Influencing the strategic management of the Irish business on commercial matters, e.g. pricing policy, the euro, sourced a financial services company to operate the customer account card for Dublin.The set up of a repricing operation in the warehouse (GB£ to IR£)Shaping the personnel policy of the company in Ireland including industrial relations and the relationship with Mandate trade union, the recruitment and retention of Irish managers and establishing the different approach needed to address IR issues in Ireland.Renegotiation of rates of pay and pay structure with Mandate in July 2000. Proposed and implemented an Irish management pay structure and scale.Driving the marketing and promotion of Debenhams Dublin as a separate market to the UK. Recruitment of an external promotional company and managing the relationship with them.Member of the IBEC Retail Working Group for the implementation of the Euro Member of the Marketing and Tenants Committee of the Jervis Shopping Centre. Officer on the Managing Board of the Dublin City Centre Business Association (1997- 2000). In this capacity I have been active in lobbying Dublin City Council and central government on issues that are important to traders in the city centre.

A franchised operation selling through 10 company shops and 7 sub-franchised shops (as in 1993). I was responsible for all functions of the 17 shops on the island of Ireland. I completed a review of the management structure and its functions and consequently redefined the management structure and reporting system. I recruited new managers in the areas of finance and operations. With this team I was responsible for the operation and profitability of the whole chain.

1990 - 1992I was the Deputy Manager and responsible for the commercial operation of the two city centre stores in Dublin, reporting to the General Manager for Ireland.1989 - 1990 During this period I undertook a new project for Marks and Spencer’s European Head Office. The objective of this project was to define the Irish market for M&S and raise its profile in the company. 1988-1989Responsible for setting up the original new store in Grafton Street opening in October 1988 (location is now Victoria's Secret)1985 – 1988Responsible for the day-to-day operational management of the Mary Street store as Deputy Manager 1975 - 1988Starting on the shop floor as a supervisor in 1975 I joined the Management Training Scheme in 1978. Appointed in 1980 as Departmental Manager I undertook several postings in the UK, as well as Brussels and Dublin. I was appointed as Deputy Manager in Swindon in 1984.