Michael Gilson Email & Phone Number

As a major force in the homewares industry the Portmeirion Group encompasses the world renowned brands of Portmeirion, Spode, Royal Worcester, Pimpernel, Nambe and Wax Lyrical.By growing these great British brands the Portmeirion Group has achieved worldwide recognition exporting to over 60 countries. We are a market leader with a reputation for high quality and innovative design in tableware, cookware, giftware and tabletop accessories.

Arlington, Virginia, Us

Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, USA, with regional offices in Hong Kong, SAR, and Dhaka, Bangladesh, and full-time staff in Europe, India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia), WRAP is an independent, objective, non-profit team of global social compliance experts dedicated to promoting safe, lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing around the world through certification and education.

What is CORMAC? We are a Retail and wholesale consulting and advisory service, in the apparel and home fashion industry. We specialize in and implement solutions for end-to-end private label product development, management, strategic growth, branding and positioning. In addition to organizational expertise for sourcing, supply chain, e-commerce/digital, profit improvement, corporate social responsibility and talent management.Whether you are a start-up needing business expertise or an established brand preparing to restructure or refocus, we’ve got you covered. We believe that CORMAC Advisory Services and our clients can and should have a positive impact on the communities we touch: one PERSON, one PRODUCT, and one NEIGHBORHOOD at a time. For this reason, we place a special emphasis on awareness and actions to do business in a socially responsible way.

A demonstrated record of success and achievement at this Canadian retail business group, marked by a series of promotions to positions of increased influence, authority, and accountability.Fulfilled a critical role overseeing all international logistics and supply chain management responsibilities for all retail operations, including including Hudson's Bay and Home Outfitters in Canada, as well as Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States. Accountable for all corporate social responsibility practices• Successfully managed $560MM in strategic sourcing involving over 500 suppliers, international supply chains, corporate social responsibilities, trade issues, and finance.

New York, Ny, Us

• Recognized for outstanding performance with promotion. Given additional responsibilities of international logistics and supply chain for all HBC stores, including Hudson's Bay and Home Outfitters in Canada, as well as Lord & Taylor and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States. • Achieved business objectives for private brand imports throughout HBC using strong global leadership skills to successfully direct $560 Million at-cost strategic sourcing operations, 500+ suppliers, international supply chain/logistics, corporate social responsibility, trade (including USA and Canadian customs) and finance.

• Commanded superior global leadership and grew private and foreign direct brands to $292 Million in first-cost shipments and $600 Million at landed cost, achieving a targeted 70% initial markup (IMU) by strategically integrating business, finance, governance, operations, supply chain/logistics and corporate social responsibility initiatives.• Reduced landing costs by $15 Million resulting in an increase of 3 basis points in gross profitability for HBC’s private brand businesses by utilizing outstanding negotiation skills to re-negotiate and re-structure a worldwide third-party agency agreement with Li & Fung for the years 2015-2020.• Launched Saks Fifth Avenue and Saks Off Fifth in Canadian marketplace by serving as functional executive lead using change management skills to oversee development of pricing strategies, operations, vendor set-ups, inland logistics and European/US imports. Increased speed to market and met all milestones with plans to open 9 stores in 2016.• Won major victory for HBC influencing Canadian customs policy in appeal to Canada’s highest court resulting in a $1.2 Million award, by taking the lead for the entire case including working to strengthen HBC defense and provide witness support.• Expanded global market base and grew HBC wholesale business to encompass LS retail stores in global airport locations, Dillard’s, Karstadt Department Stores in Germany, Woolrich and other sales agents worldwide.

• Heightened operational efficiency and realized significant savings in supply chain expenses by making/closing franchise and licensing deals, including a wholesale agreement with Belk fashion retailer, IP and franchise agreements with The Bay merchants, as well as leading the financial and legal restructuring of the Arcadia Group.• Enhanced profitability by $5.7 Million in 2-year period as lead executive for profit improvement with implementation of 12 financial initiatives, resulting in increased EBIDTA. Saved $300,000/year with 4.5% markdown in merchandising and advertising for Macy’s. • Saved $700,000 in reduced customs duties and related fees by introducing a First Sale Duty Savings Program, successfully executed by conducting a feasibility analysis to determine the ability of HBC to take advantage of the First Sale for Export (FSFE) appraisal and first sale opportunities to control costs.• Streamlined operations and facilitated rapid product design and delivery of private label and branded imports resulting in reduced costs and revenue growth using excellent technical and management skills to oversee implementation of product lifestyle management system by TradeStone to improve design, training, documentation and on-time delivery.

• Served a pivotal leadership role by structuring terms and conditions of $120 Million sale of company assets and liabilities to Youngor Group, the parent company based in Ningbo, China, and conceptualized new direction for clothing business, encompassing creation of new U.S. operational, financial and administrative infrastructure.• Realized brand sales in excess of $125 Million, making the combined U.S. company one of the largest garment makers worldwide, by strengthening business relationships with key licensors Perry Ellis Int’l, Nautica and Polo Ralph Lauren serving customers such as Saks, Macy’s, Belk, T.J. Maxx, Nordstrom, JC Penney and Lands’ End.• Upheld integrity of organizational objectives using executive leadership skills and legal acumen to work with foreign government bodies representing Smart Apparel’s interest in areas of corporate governance/social responsibility and recruitment/management of foreign employees in developing countries (China, India, Sri Lanka and Vietnam).• Helped those in need by instituting a corporate volunteer program at God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that provides meals to men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS and other life-altering illnesses.

• Ascended to COO/CFO position and generated $350 Million in annual revenue by forming Smart Apparel USA, including the marketing, licensing and distribution operation, as well as international supply chain, finance, logistics, HR, legal, audit and information services infrastructure. Led business redesign for merger of Youngor and Smart Apparel USA.• Chosen for outstanding achievement to serve in strategic partner role, headquartered in Hong Kong managing corporate offices, manufacturing facilities and supply chain/distribution opportunities in the Far East, Sub-Continent, Europe, the Middle East and U.S. for marketing, sales and sourcing company. • Achieved cost-saving and business goals, including renegotiating freight carrier contracts which reduced costs by $2.2 Million, reducing operating expenses by $1.4 Million and transitioning to more efficient financial and distribution networks. Recruited, hired, developed and led design, financial, logistics and planning talent.

• Contributed to leadership excellence as CFO of merchandise development and private label divisions with $3 Billion in annual sales. Travelled extensively throughout Asia, Sub-Continent, Middle East and Europe evaluating performance and directing financial, product development and import administration of 8 international offices and 22 departments. • Increased operational efficiency and profitability with $7 Million in profit improvement and Six Sigma initiatives, including opening office in Istanbul to consolidate E. European operations, performing customs first-sale valuations and establishing a private label letter of credit partnership with Citibank which reduced financing costs by $600,000 annually.• Phased out international operations and central offices as a result of Federated-May merger. Merged and transferred MDSI finance and import operations to Macy’s, closing offices globally affecting 1200 staff, 10 legal entities and vendors. Merged Marshall Field and Lord & Taylor proprietary product development organizations into MDSI systems and processes.• Drove improvements in overall financial performance by implementing long-range forecasts, brand extension analyses and price/markup strategies. Introduced Sarbanes-Oxley governance procedures and internal controls.Earlier positions at MMC and MDSI include:Vice President – Controller/Finance/Administration (1997-2002) Vice President – Divisional Controller – Accounting/Financial Operations (1995-1997)Divisional Vice President – Divisional Controller – Accounting/Financial Operations (1990-1995)Director – Accounting/Budget Financial Operations (1989-1990)Director/Assistant Controller (1986-1989)Internal Auditor (1984-1986)