Michael Bacon Email & Phone Number

Kent, England, United Kingdom

Channel Equine & Rural is specialist multi channel business consultancy.We support business with a wide mix of services including long term planning, bringing a new product to market, strategic alliances, recruitment, brand management, public relations, industry insights, sales support, crisis and reputation planning, scaling up, marketing, and much more besides.Thanks to thirty years of commercial experience and knowledge of supporting equine and rural business Channel Equine has the proven ability to help organisations grow and succeed. Contact me today for a confidential chat at michael.bacon@channel-consultancy.co.uk Together we’ll create a plan for success, I did not get here alone, and neither will you. Our Future Is Greater Then Our Past Ben Okri.www.channel-consultancy.com

Southern Equestrian is located in the picturesque Alkham Valley in the Kent Downs and has over 21 years’ experience of delivering first class service to the local equine and rural community providing a true hub for leisure and professional horse owners.Southern Equestrian is situated closes to The Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel making Southern Equestrian the first and last Tack shop and feed merchant in the United Kingdom and so provides a valuable emergency well stoked shop for equestrian professionals traveling between the UK and Europe with ample parking for the very largest of horse boxes.

Aylesford Kent

I was one of the director of Saracen Horse Feeds a family business who have been manufacturing and selling high quality feed for horses for over 200 years. As the sales and Marketing director I was responsible for the modernization, marketing and profitable growth of the sports horse and leisure range of horse feeds in the UK, Europe and the Middle East.I worked closely with the thoroughbred and nutrition team and partners from Kentucky Equine Research to achieve this. I was also involved in the management and direction of all parts of the company and our retail country store brands Lillico-Attlee providing guidance and support.I managed the sports horse field sales and marketing team in the UK/ Europe and oversaw the nutrition team. In my role I worked closely with the accounts, quality control, customer service, health & safety, transport and production team. I lead the development of new distribution channels, new products, packaging, marketing and building a fully integrated sales, marketing, nutrition customer service approach to business. I was also a council member of the British Equestrian Trade Association. BETA is the official representative body of the equestrian industry in the U.K.

Pickhill North Yorkshire

I was one of the four directors of TopSpec Equine and was involved in the management and running of this very successful family business that has had rapid sales growth since 2007. I had responsibility for sales, marketing, budgets, targets, promotions, shows, events, and TopSpec’s customer relationships with the equestrian trade and horse owners. My key role was to modernise the company's route to market and distribution for goods and services, initiated new product category's and SKU's, improved customer communication channels, recruit, train and manage a new professional field sales team of seven business development managers/feed advisers in the UK and Ireland. I implemented modern management procedures and brand guidelines to the company and was key to developing the market and brand awareness for balancers in the UK and Irish market.I constantly improved profit and sales of high margin products through the challenging times of the 2008 economic downturn and following recession. TopSpec at the time was the only UK Horse feed manufacturer to win the coveted British Equestrian Trade Association helpline award for Excellence in Nutritional Advice and Customer Service for six consecutive years.The company has its own purpose built applied nutrition research facility. Based on the owners 'Nicola and Philip Tyler and their daughters, Katy's family run Dartmoor Pony Stud and showing yard in North Yorkshire.With the traditional horse knowledge of the Tyler's backed up by research carried out internationally by other organisation and the family's unique style and approach to customer care and management, supported by my experience & leadership of sales & marketing over six years led TopSpec to become one of the leading and fastest growing brands of feed Balancers in the UK and Ireland.

United Kingdom

I was brand and marketing manager for the Pet-Spec category that I rebranded Vet-Spec for Dogs. This was a sub brand of TopSpec Equine. As the brand and marketing manager, I was the lead in the re branding, positioning, product development,packaging distribution, and field sales & marketing. This was a very much hands-on role with time spent on RND,visiting customers and suppliers, and managing and working at events like Crufts and the CLA Game Fair.The VetSpec range is an advanced innovative range of canine additives of the highest quality designed to optimise the dog's performance and maintain a long and healthy life.VetSpec is for all types of working and companion Dogs.The range of additives and supplements have been formulated to ensure that dogs that work (e.g., agility, showing or working) The family pet and those subject to stress, old age, or under veterinary supervision have the additional nutritional support they need to maximise performance and maintain a long, healthy life.

Southminster Essex

Dengie Crops are the UK' leading grower and producer of Alfalfa fibre feeds for horses, Dengie is a farmers co-cooperative who provide a full range of service to there farmer members.As the National Sales Manager I managed key accounts in the UK/ Ireland and the sales team of six area managers and two field Support staff. I reported directly to the Managing Director and presented bimonthly to the feed executive’s board of directors. I was Responsible for creating and implementing the company’s annual sales plan and forecasts, setting budgets and targets for distributors and the sales team. I chared all sales and markating meetings.I was responsible fo devising and implementing all field sales promotions for trade and end users and monitor success.I worked closely with the Managing Director and Marketing Manager to initiate and plan advertising, packaging, point of sale, sponsorship and all marketing activities. Built and managed the company's relationship with all key distributors and retailers across the U.K. and Ireland.I also planned and managed the company’s presence at national shows and events.At Dengie I worked closely with the nutrition, production and technical team to improve and enhance quality of the products and to develop new products in an ever changing market.

United Kingdom

I Successfully managed the merger of the Dengie equine field sales team and Main Ring (Rumenco) equine sales teams and built one of the most successful equestrian field sales team in the industry at the time. As a part of this role I managed all UK key accounts and the transition of the Main Ring brand in to the Dengie range and supply chain. At this time I was also, responsible for my own territory covering the North Midlands and the North of England. I co-chaired bimonthly sales and marketing meetings with the commercial manager. Organised and delivered training in sales, product knowledge and technical information. Worked with the Managing Director and commercial manager regarding budgets and targets, allocating these to the sales team and customers and monitoring progress.Actively involved as a part of the senior technical and marketing team to develop new products and promotions. Organised and managed all shows/events and promotions. Worked closely with marketing manager to develop advertising and sponsorship strategy.Kept up to date with equine nutritional developments and competitor products and marketing strategies.

United Kingdom

I worked closely with distributors and retailers to develop mutually productive long term relationships between all parties. Agreed targets and promotions with distributors, organised product and nutritional training for retailers and carried out extensive merchandising of stores. Attended national shows and open days and arranged/presented talks to end users. Visited all types of equestrian establishments to generate new sales on behalf of retailers and distributors. Consistently generated business and maximised sales with existing customers by introducing new products and promotions.Organised regional advertising and sponsorship, monitored market and competitor activity. Compiled and submitted accurate sales reports. Successfully built strong relationships and dealt with all levels of management.

Knightsbridge,Windsor,Pirbright,York

As a solder serving in The Life Guards Squadron of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment (HCMR). I rode on state and ceremonial occasions such as The Trooping of the Colour, the state Opening of Parliament and the changing of the Guard at Horse Guards in Whitehall London. I performed many varied equestrian and military duties in this role.Whilst still carrying out ceremonial duties and excising and caring for horses, my primary role like all who serve in the HCMR is as a trained solder who can be posted to at any time to the HCR armoured regiment.Whilst still exercising horses daily and competing at weekends and riding on state ceremonial occasions. In my last 18 months I served in the Head Quarters Squadron with the responsibility for managing, ordering, storage, distribution and accounting of all feed, bedding, supplements and forage for the 250 horses of the HCMR.As part of this role I was responsible for supporting and advising the Sabre Squadrons in London and other sub units at Windsor, Sandhurst, Melton Mowbray and Pribright on the feeding and nutrition of Army horses.The horse's and men of the HCMR carry out all types of work from the day to day ceremonial duties in London and other parts of the country to the world famous mounted display team of the musical ride. Who preform worldwide promoting the UK and the British Army. Along sides this horses and men of the HCMR compete in show jumping,cross country mounted skill at arms, carriage driving, polo and on the hunting field.From 1997 to 2003 I served with the Yorkshire (Y) Squadron, of the Queen's Own Yeomanry an armoured reconnaissance regiment of the Territorial Army(TAVR) Reserve forces.Serving in the reserve forces you are a part time trained soldier who gives up weekends, evenings and holidays to carry out training and personal development. In this role you may be required in times of national emergency to deploy in support of the regular army anywhere in the world.

Customer Experience Strategy Programme

Marketing Directors'Programme:Leading Profitable Growth

Advaced Sales Management Devlopmint Program

Marketing and Management 2008 Commercial Management 2005 Effective Category Management FMCG 2005 Advanced FMCG Sales team Management level.

Sales Managers Development Progamme

Agricultural Busines Sales Professional Development Short Courses

Sales And Managment Team Trainning Program

Team Integration, Sales, Planning, and Management 1998 Customer Care Program 1998 Training & Development Programme Sales & Marketing 1997

Education record