Tim Pickering Email and Phone Number

Responsible for:• Setting product strategy for the GearForm Group, the parent company for sustainable outdoor aftercare brand Nikwax, and outdoor clothing company Páramo.• Developing and commercialising upon innovation, bringing to market new, and improved products with distinct competitive advantage.• Managing and improving legislative compliance, and product information for the GearForm Group.Main activities included:• Prince2/Agile project leadership, managing the development of new product labelling, to improve brand awareness and sales. This involved leading a cross functional team from marketing, sales, product and production. Included reviewing all communications on the bottle, graphics, images and legislation (GHS). • Bringing Nikwax ‘Direct.Dry’, a PFAS-free water repellent treatment to market, leading a cross functional team of internal and external stakeholders, from the UK, USA and China. • Leading product sustainability for Nikwax and Páramo, including the development of a Chemical Management System, integrated into ISO 9001, and development of a fabric strategy. Resulted in:• Revenue growth: 12% YoY sales improvement in the UK, since the re-branding of Nikwax products was implemented in June ‘22.• Procurement improvement: Received responses from 20 fabric mills sourcing Nikwax ‘Direct.Dry’ product from Nikwax, within a month of product launch, generating potential for £000ks turnover.• Sustainability improvement: Removal of more than 10 unsustainable substances from Nikwax aftercare products, and 30+% of Páramo fabrics are now made from recycled material. 99% of all fabrics are 100% polyester, and therefore completely recyclable.

Started as a Laboratory Technician, enjoying opportunities for development and promotion within Nikwax Development from Product Developer to Product Development and Support Manager.Now leading and defining top level strategy and collaborating on top-level decision making for the Nikwax Group. Lead and developed the product development, sustainability strategy, product information and product legislation teams, to meet the demands of the business. Developed business plans, objectives and communicated strategy to stakeholders to meet business goals. Worked with industry and governmental bodies such as HSE to improve chemical management and regulatory compliance at Nikwax. Represented Nikwax at various industrial partners, conferences and facilities, including developing the Nikwax Hydrophobic Down brand.• Reacted to the Covid-19 crisis by developing a portfolio of products for extending the life of medical PPE safely, adding new SKUs and generating £00ks sales over the most business critical 3 month peak of the crisis• Relaunched ‘Sweatproofing’ brand of products, increasing sales into cycling and running markets.• Retained and developed people within the development team, to capitalise on their skills.• Developed a chemical management system, integrated with ISO 9001 to enhance sustainability.• Developed Nikwax’s strategy on single use plastics, reducing plastic use by over 170 tons per year.• Devised and implemented an agile project system, doubling the number of products ready for launch per year.• Supported and developed relationships with brands and down factories for Nikwax Hydrophobic Down, leading to a 200% increase in sales over 3 years, making it one of Nikwax’s most profitable products.• Managed the acquisition of three patents, covering Nikwax Hydrophobic Down and other industrial innovations with the potential for £000k’s of sales.