Mark Smith Email & Phone Number

Dubai, Ae

Al Mirqab, Kuwait City, Kw

Seasoned professional overseeing the full employee journey across 11 countries in the MENA region, including UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Lebanon, and Tunisia.Strategized and implemented a comprehensive employee lifecycle from recruitment, induction, basic training, management training, to leadership development.Pioneered the creation of digital learning programs, catering to diverse training needs and ensuring consistency across all countries.Developed impactful in-house training initiatives encompassing effective communication, specialized roles, product knowledge, and superior customer service.Certified trainer for Articulate 360, delivering dynamic and engaging training experiences.Accredited in Core Strengths training, empowering teams to maximize their potential and drive business success across multiple regions.

Al Mirqab, Kuwait City, Kw

Orchestrated operations in Dubai, the highest turnover area in the business, overseeing flagship stores at Mall of Emirates and Dubai Mall.Successfully launched the expansion to Dubai Mall, introducing the first H&M Home concept store in the region, exceeding business plan projections with a remarkable +25% sales growth since opening.Collaborated with malls to amplify brand awareness and drive foot traffic, executing impactful marketing campaigns across social media platforms.Achieved exceptional audit results of 90% in both flagship stores for 2020, ensuring operational excellence and upholding company standards.Led cross-country projects, implementing initiatives such as in-store selling through iPads, installation of large digital screens, digital catalogs, and the rollout of buy now pay later services for Alshaya.

Al Mirqab, Kuwait City, Kw

Led operations for COS and & Other Stories in UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar, focusing on developing a young team to drive business growth despite limited experience and junior management roles.Collaborated closely with the Visual Merchandising (VM) team, making commercial decisions and implementing effective promotional activities to clear aged stock, successfully reducing levels from 10% to under 2% while maintaining margin integrity.Maintained full control of the Profit and Loss (P&L), conducting monthly reviews to optimize costs, including payroll expenses, which were reduced to under 10% of total sales.Recognized for exceptional performance within 8 months, requested to transition to H&M to provide valuable support to the business.

Dubai, Ae

Accountable for overseeing retail operations across the GCC, including UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Egypt.Implemented streamlined structures and procedures to optimize turnover across all stores, supporting business growth.Introduced a monthly team review document to enhance individual and team performance at all levels, providing valuable support.Developed an incentivization scheme to motivate and reward employees at all levels, contributing to increased overall turnover.Collaborated closely with management teams to execute the full business strategy, encompassing sales targets, store standards, product development, marketing opportunities, team development, and operational excellence.Ensured efficient P&L management, consistently exceeding budgeted growth targets in each store.Fostered clear communication across departments, aligning goals and promoting a unified approach.Led the development of a market-leading website, introducing a new revenue stream for the business with support from the team.

Gb

Responsible for the North West, UK. I have a passion for technology and the future of retail. In this role i have been able to drive change and influence the retail environment i work in to enhance every part giving my team the best chance for success. • Key responsibilities include defining and communicating a clear strategic plan for all stores.• Accountable for all key KPIs including profit protection, sales performance, team development, onboarding, and turnover forecasts. All inline with expectations set by Ted Baker including stock loss of -0.4%, Audit results average 98%.• Inspiring and developing an excess of +200 team members, with tailor-made training to ensure a stable progression plan is in place in all locations and for the area.• Providing full support to each location to ensure maximum turnover is achieved liaising with all departments to increase performance in all areas.• Strong host store relationships with House of Fraser and Selfridges to have a commitment to common goals through collaboration. • Strong commercial awareness of all departments to add impact and ensure company guidelines are in place to maximize turnover.

Gb

• Leading a team of 40+ team members to drive turnover and standards throughout the store to deliver the best of Ted baker to a diverse international customer.• Oversee all recruitment for the store and also the city of Dublin to achieve Ted Bakers' high customer service standards.• Training store for all Ireland team members with all new and current team attending to experience Ted Bakers' culture and brand identity.• Stock loss -0.1% delivered through strong loss prevention measures and work ethic within all team members.• Driving all key KPIs within the store to ensure company expectations are exceeded.• Oversaw key area incentives to drive turnover at peak trade • Partnering with local businesses to drive awareness of the brand and drive regular traffic to the store.

Gb

• Lead a team of 30+ team members over 5000 sq ft 4 floor store. Largest in the North of England.• Developed the location as the training hub for the North of England for all new management to the company and position.• Over saw the area in the area managers absence• Was handpicked for the Ted Baker development program with key responsibilities including- control of all locations FTE budgets, training and development of all deputy manager within the scheme- Deputy Days, supported junior managers development through regular visits and direction, Teds training champion within the area.• Host model store for the North of England to ensure company standards are met and all management are trained correctly.• Deliver flagship standards at all times to support the store as the showcase for the north of England.

Gb

• Lead a team of 30 team members over 3 departments within the Selfridges Trafford store• nominated for “best concession” within the Trafford Centre.• Won the Selfridges award “pacey and positive” through strong working practices in conjunction with Selfridges. 1st concession manager to win the award.• Negotiated additional space over the christmas period generating an extra 5K per week of un-budgeted turnover.• Development of key management team members who were able to progress to a further position within Ted Baker including manager roles.

Gb

progression from full time sales assistant to Flagship Store Deputy Manager - north of England.Achievements:With drive and determination, progressed through many levels while increasing personal knowledge and experience. Gained extensive knowledge of retail operations, procedures and guidelines.Gained valuable experience in negotiating, communication and leadership skills development.

Bsc (Hons), Fine Art

Hnd

Education record