Director and co-owner of this sourcing and distribution business, that aims to provide the customer exactly what they need, not what we want to sell to them; based on over 50 years retail and trade experience from the team. www.crimson-bear.co.uk

Director and co-owner of this online business selling ladders, platforms and accessories to the trade and public from www.the-ladder-barn.co.uk

Director and co-owner of this new business venture that aims to make life easier for the less able by providing innovative products at low prices that will make life a little easier. 5% of all sales are donated to the Stroke Association.

Freelance Retail, Wholesale, Trade and Event Management Consultant. Worked on several projects for B&Q, Carphone Warehouse, Spicers and Maplin Electronics Ltd.

5 month contract that extended to 18 months. Successfully added over 13,000 new products to the web site through the introduction of 15 suppliers. Helped improve and re-design the existing drop ship process acting as a conduit between IT and the Commercial Team.

Responsible for the commercial function for half of the business with a turnover of £180m Key Achievements to date:o Negotiated savings of over £4m pa as part of synergy savings following an acquisitiono Set up from scratch the Category Management Department taking the team from the 1 original Purchasing Manager to a new team of 10. Responsible for all recruitment processes and integration of new employees, both existing and external.o Created new systems for the administration of rebates and other supplier related admin tasks.o Helped design the new Category Management format for review and implementation.o Instigating new business planning processes.

Working directly for the MD to deliver several diverse commercially based projects.Key Achievements:o Met with over 60 suppliers to substantially increase the range of Facility Management products for the 2011 catalogueo Wrote and project managed the strategic review for Business Machines.o Researched and produced strategic board reviews for 4 major new initiatives.o Identified over £1m cost savings by redefining supply chain use of pallets.o Managed the successful novation of over £1.8m value of IT contracts following sale of Spicers.o Identified over £1m of savings on current indirect spend.

Responsible for all commercial issues for the new format “Wireless Stores” Involved in macro and micro space planning, promotions, supply chain, marketing, merchandising, customer proposition, external & internal PR events, and supplier/ product selection and negotiations. Along with a small team of 6 took the number of new format stores from 4 trial stores to 25.Key Achievements:o Introduced new product categories such as music streaming and digital TV.o Raised over £1m in supplier funding to cover new store costs with robust plans to increase to £3m in 12 months.o Organised, refurbished and funded a US “Airstream” caravan mobile exhibition to showcase new ranges and raise awareness of mainstream offers visiting universities, air shows and county shows during the Summer. 100% self-funded and helped increase sales in the local stores and build up a substantial customer database when exhibiting.

Responsible for European Group laptop deals for Carphone Warehouse & The Phone House. This is a synergy role bringing together suppliers and buyers from 9 countries.Key Achievements:o Successfully delivered Group Q1 Laptop tender with a 1% cost reduction whilst the Dollar increased by 10%o Introduced a major new brand to the group and negotiated the commercial deal.o Introduced new processes where they were lackingo Helped finance and plan for the quarterly European Group Purchasing Event.

Responsible for raising the profile of B&Q's Trade and retail business. Responsible for the project managment and funding of trade and retail shows for customers, staff and the general public such as Ideal Home, Grand Designs Live and Interbuild.Key Achievements:o Developed the largest and busiest stand at Interbuild, the premier trade building show at the NEC. o Had the only two storey stand at Grand Designs Live and created hundreds of leads for kitchen and bathroom designs.o Had one of the busiest stands at The Ideal Home Show, Earl’s Court. Organised and helped design the stand and covered all funding.

Responsible for the Plumbing & Heating category of B&Q. Increase sales from £100m to over £150m and margin by over 6% points. Rationalised the supply chain with a reduction in distributors, more direct relationships and several new suppliers. Introduced Designer Radiators and quickly became market leader. Introduced own brand plumbing fittings, "Plumb Easy" and was responsible for the introduction of renewable energy products such as wind turbines and solar panels. Experienced with dealing with the media and PR and been involved in several influential parliamentary visits promoting B&Q and their environmental products.Key Achievements:o Increased turnover by 50% and improved margin in less than 5 years.o Made B&Q market leaders in designer radiators in less than two years.o Created an own brand range of plumbing fittings called “Plumb Easy”o Introduced the first domestic wind turbine to the UK marketo Helped represent B&Q along with the CEO at several Parliamentary meetings & receptions.o Dealt with media for B&Q on renewable products including several TV, Newspaper and Radio interviews.o Wrote, directed and starred in several trading department videos for all supplier conferences.

Responsible for sourcing and purchasing all products from the Far East for Wolseley Group including Plumb Center and Builder Center.

Buyer/Product Manager for several categories including radiators, tools, consumables and power tools.

Co-designed and managed the Wolseley plc products file and systems. Pivotal role bridging the commercial and IT functions.