Simon Meek Email and Phone Number

Responsible for identifying and cultivating business development opportunities that support the delivery of the Retail strategy in optimising income. As an integral part of the Retail Senior Management Team, leading and supporting in the creation of retail and management initiatives to maximise organic growth and further develop the business. Accountabilities• Management of high priority initiatives to support the Retail Strategy.• Managing the new store opening program to BAU state.• Developing networks that may result in expansion of existing and/or new business.• Identifying and following up new business opportunities, exploring the income potential and presenting proposals to the Retail Director.• Leading trials of new initiatives and embedding a process to be adopted in BAU state.• Key business partner to Corporate Services team, supporting the development of stock generation opportunities.• Developing & delivering supply chain processes for large stock donations that maximises ROI.• Driving retail income generation opportunities in all our Hospices.

Responsible for all aspects of retail store operations in 29 branches, via the retail team.Developing and implementing a retail operations strategy and ensuring that this is communicated to the Retail Team.Ensuring that all company policies and procedures and statutory requirements are followed.Creation and implementation of a shop expansion programme.Development of the Retail Operations field/head office Team.Building a culture of sales achievement within the retail operations team.Producing and presenting reports for the CEO, Senior Management team and Trustees.Key AchievementsCreated from scratch, Retail Operations and Security Manuals for all branches.Introduced new interview procedures and accompanying documentation for all retail staff from Sales Assistant to Area Manager.Introduced new induction procedures and workbooks for all shop staff and volunteers.Introduced new collection and delivery procedures for store/transport teams with new accompanying documentation, increasing efficiency and raising morale.

Responsible for all aspects of retail store operations in 155 branches via a team of seven Area Business Managers.Ensuring that the day to day retail operations within the Southern Region are managed in a way that delivers the Retail and Trading Strategy and Operational Business Plan.Working to a nationally agreed framework which maximises the profitability of the Region through effective profit centre management.The delivery of financial and non financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as set for the Region.Working collaboratively with colleagues from across Barnardo's and specifically with colleagues from Retail and Trading, Regions and Nations and Barkingside Head Office, as well as external contacts.Key AchievementsIncreased Gift Aid Sales Contribution for the region from 35% YTD in 2014 to 48% in 2015.Devised a new Interview process and documentation for all retail appointments from store level to Area Manager.

Surveying shops, planning and organising refits including re-merchandising and layout changes in order to comply with the applicable trading concept and maximising sales within each product category.Controlling space allocation and layouts of branches and liaising with the Marketing Assistant regarding seasonal changes.Identifying potential new sites and/or acquisitions.Planning and organisation of shop fitting and merchandising of all new sites. Liaising with Regional Managers and Operations Director regarding staffing and trading hours.Liaising with Marketing Assistant regarding the production of all generic and seasonal point of sale material.Liaising with Trading Standards officers regarding any age restricted sales matters. Key AchievementsOrganised through to completion of the refitting and re-branding of all shops (54) within the High Street Discount division to the new (Supernews) trading concept.Planned and organised the re-branding and conversion of eight Maynews branches acquired to the Supernews local format.Planned and organised through to completion, the conversion of two CTN stores to a full convenience offer.Successfully protected of the company's reputation by proving due diligence with regard to age restricted sales when interviewed (on all occasions) by Trading Standards.100% achievement of all targets and budgets set.

Effective management of a team of Area Managers to ensure:Store standards were maintained to company expectations.Sales were maximised to achieve company targets.All Company Policies and procedures were followed.Shrinkage was minimised.Investigations were carried out and remedial action taken as necessary.Monitoring and analysing sales, identifying under performance and agreeing action plans with Area ManagersPreparation of annual wage budgets and ensuring that the wage bills remained within budget.Liaising with the H.R. Director to deliver regular Area Manager training.Development of Area Managers, giving regular feedback on performance and carrying out annual appraisals.Key AchievementsAchieved every target and objective set each year, including wages to budget and shrinkage control, in particular- tobacco shrinkage of less than 0.1% (Actual level achieved = 0.07 to 0.08%).Created and developed a system of routinely checking internal procedures, signage, training and compliance to legislation, to use as proof of due diligence.Successfully defended the company reputation in relation to age restricted sales on all occasions.Devised an internal “Mystery Shopper” programme.Developed three area managers to become Regional Managers when my role changed to Retail Development Manager.

Effective management of a team of Area Managers.Monitoring and analysing sales, identifying under performance and agreeing action plans with Area ManagersAssist in the preparation of annual wage budgets and ensuring that the wage bill for the northern division remained within budget.Liaising with the Divisional Manager (South) and H.R. Director to deliver regular Area Manager training.Development of Area Managers, giving regular feedback on performance and carrying out annual appraisals.Key AchievementsDevised a competition in 2005 which has ensured that in every year since, all branches are fully prepared for the busy Christmas trading period, branch managers are motivated to succeed and which also rewards the best branches.100% achievement of all targets and objectives including wages to budget, till losses and shrinkage control.