I was headhunted in May 2022 from my previous employer Source and joined PMT shortly after to shore up the Commercial Team at the largest UK omni-channel retailer. I took charge of the team based in Liverpool during a transitional period for the company's commercial division. From the outset, I jumped into the role with enthusiasm and exceptional commitment, some of these key duties were aiding the restructuring of the commercial team, maintaining the ‘buy in’ and ‘sell out’of all stock, reducing 12 months aged plus stock inventory and improving the working relationship between the commercial and trading functions of the business (E-Comm/Marketing and Accounts). I organized meetings with all the major suppliers and their marketing teams to build the relationships between the fledgling PMT marketing team.I divided my working week between the HQ in Liverpool (2 days per week) engaging in training with the Commercial Team. The rest of my week would be spent working remotely and travelling to the stores, looking to implement best practice initiatives and key retail strategies, working closely with the Regional Managers and Store Managers to create a culture of openness and communication between them and the Commercial Team. Whilst at the stores I would also carry out supplier meetings, looking to maximise on the supplier/retailer relationship and PMT USP’s. Some of the following projects I was at the helm of bringing to fruition within my tenure were:• Sales initiatives for Summer Sale, Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, January Sale as well as many supplier campaigns relating to retro/rebate targets (SDF/BDF/MDF) and securing this funding.• Backstage customer loyalty scheme initiative.• Securing supplier sponsorship for the PMT rebrand with key brands for the ‘experience centres’.• Expanding the Dropship portfolio with new suppliers, overviewing their commercial rationale.• Own Brand Products – development of new lines with the Commercial Team.

A position was created for me as the Midlands Area Sales Manager with Source Distribution in early 2017, key priorities when I came onboard were to look after key accounts in both the camera and MI sector (approx. 50 accounts) and grow the territory with new commercially viable retailers. I enjoyed dealing with several high level sub-distributed brands within the Source catalogue, Rode, Moog, Arturia, Genelec, Eventide (14 brands in total). I initiated training and in-store events with key retailers working closely with the Source Brand Managers and Marketing Team. I attended trade shows and client events to build strong network relationships.

I this role I was responsible for the day to day running off all MI accounts covering an area that encompassed the Midlands, the North West, Wales and the South West of England (approx. 120 accounts). I undertook the responsibility for planning and initiating all aspects of management for my territory and interacting with my business partners who occupy a variety of roles and positions within their organisations. I pride myself in developing strong commercial relationships with a dynamic and trustworthy approach.As well as the overall management strategy and overseeing the ordering and inventory of several large independent stores I have been responsible for creating B2B marketing and direct sales initiatives to realign the brand in the marketplace. This has involved working closely with the marketing team and creating successful campaign strategies across all social platforms to increase the reach and perception of the brand within the UK.

My overall brief was to restructure the sales team (Marshall Distribution UK {MDUK}) and realign the brands (Marshall, Natal, Eden then latterly Marshall Lifestyle and Lag) with the UK dealer network. After a successful tenure I left this position feeling I had taken the project as far as I could go with it in May 2016.My overall and achievements included:Recruiting a new MDUK Sales team and mentored these new team members.Led, motivated and driven the new sales team to create a successful sales process.Introduced a best practice working structure for all team members.Realigned the business practices of MDUK and the UK dealer network.Managed the purchasing and inventory on all products for the UK dealer network.Developed existing brands whilst recruiting new brands to achieve maximum sales.Developed effective sales strategies with our marketing team for B2B and B2C campaigns.Worked closely with the Marshall legal department on all aspects of the UK dealer contracts.Attended and organised trade shows and events both at home and abroad.On a daily basis I was responsible for the overall running of the UK sales team. Key tasks include:Managing, analysing all sales data, forecasts and stock inventory for the UK making sure profitability and margins are maintained over key product lines.Mentoring the regional managers, accompanying them on visits with key accounts.Reporting sales data and analytics to the regional managers to aid them in creating opportunities and maximising sales.Initiating sales directives with the marketing teamReporting information and intelligence gathered from the sales field to the directors.Continued geographical analysis of all areas so that as a team we can spot opportunities to build new relationships with new business and create potential new revenue streams.Overseeing all the regional managers call planning and call reporting and looking to continuously inspire and improve the aesthetic of the team mentality.

My job title for this tenure was Regional Sales Manager for Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK). The area I covered was the Midlands, The North West and North Wales.As well as managing several large independent stores I had the sole responsibility for the PMT (Professional Music Technology) account (then 11 retail sites) which at the time was Yamaha Pro Music Divisions largest grossing account. I increased the revenue on this account from 450k when I joined in 2010 to 1.3 million (March 2013).The Pro Music catalogue consisted of:Professional Audio (PA)Electric Guitars, Basses & Acoustic GuitarsMusic Production & Synth ProductsDTX Electronic Drums & Acoustic DrumsBeing the most senior member of the team, I was placed in a position of training and guidance that helped me in mentoring new members of the team on their arrival.In the 3 years I was with Yamaha Music Europe GmbH (UK) I increased the turnover on the area from 1.1 million to just under 2.6 million and continued to build long lasting commercial and personal relationships with key account owners, managers and store staff.

In February 2007 I took my first steps out in the sales field as Area Sales Manager for Bill Lewington Ltd.I covered the South West territory - M5 ‘corridor’ from Cornwall to Liverpool including the whole of Wales and Northern Ireland.I was responsible for selling all brands from the Lewington catalogue these include:Dean & Luna GuitarsDdrumK & M stands and accessoriesEarlham brass and woodwind instruments and related accessories.I was responsible for the overall running of the area. Duties included:Managing my accounts including developing major accounts like Dolphin Music.Building relationships with shop owners/managers to build confidence in the brandsBooking all my appointments and call cycle.Liaising with endorsees and organizing in store and promotional events.Maintaining stock levels in store and for on line salesI was pleased that over the 3 years I increased the turnover on the area in a time of economic recession and that I built up some great relationships with dealers to take forward into my next career move.

In October 2003 I was approached by Fairdeal Music, Birmingham to set up an e-commerce website for the business that was known as ‘The Planet of Sound.co.uk’From the conception of the idea to launching the site I acted as project manager liasing with the web developers and key strategists i.e. Barclays/Sec Pay/Thawte to set up and integrate all financial aspects of what was required to have fully interactive and cohesive e-commerce site.I also had to oversee the design and overall ‘corporate identity’ for the website and work on the launch marketing campaigns and strategies.Over the course of the next 4 years we saw the Internet division grow to 1.2 million annual turnover with a profit margin of 25%. This also stabilised in store sales as a result of having a strong online presence.During the course of 2007 I developed a new website www.fairdealmusic.com which launched in November. Although it was early days when I left sales had increased with the new website and brought a focus of consolidating the strengths of having an established high street retail outlet and major online presence. Also, in 2007 Fairdeal Music undertook a move to new warehouse premises where I was at the forefront of co-ordinating the communication and technical aspects of setting up this division.On a day-to-day basis I was responsible for the overall running of the Fairdeal internet and warehousing division of the business. These duties include:Managing, motivating and training the ‘internet team’ in all aspects related to the website and their associated task.Maintaining stock levels in store and for on line sales.Scheduling meetings with Area Sales Managers and programming orders for the business.Updating the website and listings– monitoring market trends and competitor offerings.Instigating marketing campaigns – liaising with music publications and sending out direct emails to a database of over 15,000 customers on a bi-monthly basis.

Primarily an internet retail music shop, this key role gave me insight into developing future projects. Main achievements whilst at Regent was to introduce and maintain an EPOS stock system, reduce overheads and increase profitability and be responsible for the day to day running of the business

As well as running the shop on a day-to-day basis, I introduced a purchase ordering system and built staff knowledge on how to stabilise a fledgling business on limited resources. Worked on marketing and advertising campaigns to bring revenue into the Music Way. The business was sold to PMT in 2001.

Started as a sales assistant at Carlsbro, moving onto assistant manager and then shop manager. This is where I learnt most of my initial core skills in banking, accounting, stock control, advertising and how to manage a team

Whilst studying at college I was also self-employed as a promoter/musician in the Lichfield/Birmingham area where I promoted concerts and clubs for local and national bands/DJ’s. I was also an official t-shirt merchandiser on UK tours for successful ‘Britpop’ acts Blur, Pulp and Supergrass amongst others.