Mike Ellson Email & Phone Number

Retired

Enjoying life and family time

Hatfield

Back into commercial (Hooray)Defined Developed Coded Tested and Deployed several solutions to faciliate both work flow and data collection for the new clothing website which was launched in October 2009.Over the last 5 years have refined solutions which are now fully integrated and supported by IT.Capex over the years 2009 - 2013 was a mere £1621.22 (yep that is the total for 2 barcode printers and 5 years of labels)2014 has seen investment in DAM solution (Amplience) FTP (Globalscape) 2tb SQL server and internal 2tb Image Server as we migrate from existing Venda Platform to ATGWe strive to deliver robust and timely solutions that are both simple and effective whilst ensuring minimal data entry. If we can collect data and enrich then we will, otherwise user requiements are captured and solutions refinedMember of the F&F Online senior management teamLessons Learnt ► ecommerce drives technology AND technology drives e-commerce

Hertfordshire

Seconded across to a project based role to launch new Oracle based solutions to the commercial division. (Retek programme)This culminated in 4 releases across WSSI, Space Planning, Capacity Management and Financial Budgetting. Developed my understanding of project management, programme governance, design test and deploy and the emotional cycle of change management.Key note speaker at NRF in 2006 to audience of 1000+ Oracle® Lessons Learnt ► Lead times in IT generally can be counted in months/years whereas I really missed the immediacy of commercial

Hertfordshire

Initially recruited to continue the work undertaken on Supply Chain and Logistics which culminated in the launch of our dedicated distribution centre being launched in 2002.In 2002 moved across to lead the womenswear merchandising division with turnover of £350m.Lessons Learnt ► grab the opportunities and create your own destiny

Hertfordshire

Drafted in to help define logistics requirement for Clothing divisionLessons Learnt ► The A1M did used to be quiet.

Lutterworth

Various roles from supply chain to merchandising across many clothing divisions (womenswear menswear and Lingerie). Turnover of £400m and a team of approx 30.A key member in the Senior Management Team chaired by George Davies, helped to define strategy and growth model during the late 90'sLessons learnt ► Be obssessed with customers and don't take your eye off the competition. (George wouldnt expect anything less and "your only as good as your last days output")

Nuneaton

Initially joined looking after the younger girls area (2-6 years) then expanded to cover all girlswear ages (0-11). Many sourcing trips with buyers over the years to Far East and Europe helped strengthen understanding of negotiation and collaboration with our supply partners,Still retained an interest in systems and process development and was lead in new system development - Buyers Portability developed in conjunction with Compass.Lessons Learnt ► its easy to develop over complex solutions - the trick is to ensure simplicity and ease of use.

Solihull

Strengthened skills in people management and supply chain and logistics over my last 7 months with the business. The operation ceased trading when we were taken over by Sears in 1992 and I was offered redundancy but opted to move to the Childrenswear division AdamsLessons Learnt ► Excel Pivot tables Rule

Solihull

After proving my worth I gained promotion to my first merchandising role.. I swapped the ties belts and socks for Ladieswear.The buying trips soon followed when I was allowed out to suppliers in Birmingham Manchester and sometimes even Central London.My first introduction to managing people as I had a team of 2 (!) and my first company car (Blue VW Golf)Lessons Learnt ► The beginnings of how to motivate and develop a team

Solihull

My first role with a budget came with a promotion when I was offered a position within a newly launched discount venture . I became assistant merchandiser for accessories and was very proud of the fact that I was still only 17.My world was now full of ties belts and socks and if memory serves me right I had a budget of circa £200k.(Oh those heady days !)Still had the role of dropping off the barcodes which were printed in house to the Red Star depot (A station to station delivery service offered by British Rail)Lessons Learnt ► My first introduction to coding solutions as I became an expert in Lotus 123 and WYSIWYG

Solihull

Offered a permanent position after 6 months on a YTS scheme. This period on reflection was a fantastic knowledge and skill builder as it allowed me to appreciate the effort involved and detailed understanding of the processes required within a commercial retail environment. These were the days of kimball tags, weekly data collection from stores, mainframes and magnetic tapes. You didn't find out what you sold the previous week until Wednesday. Telex was main communication with outside world (we didn't even have Fax machines as I don't think they were wide spread at this time)Lessons Learnt ► technology doesn't stand still as Telex became Fax.

Solihull

My introduction to the world of clothing and retail began at the tender age of 16, where I joined a local menswear company 3 months after leaving school aged 16. Initally was meant to be a 2 year training scheme (YTS) but was offered a permanent position after just 6 months (March 84) working on the knitwear department. Hands on role fulfilling general clercial duties, filing, photocopying, weekly updating of stock cards, making coffee and tea, and fetching cigarettes (embassy no 1) for the merchandiser from the vending machine in the canteen (You could smoke in the offices) You name it I did it.Lessons Leant ► too many to mention

National Private Pilots Licence, Light Aircraft, Nppl(A)

Activities and Societies: Ground School

Education record

Didn't opt for further education as I decided I could probably learn more from a hands on job and therefore followed the university.

Education record