Veerle Van Meel Email & Phone Number

Responsible for the overall management, business development and marketing of existing operations in various European countries for a privately owned Jewellery company • Providing leadership and vision for the development of long and short term goals and budgets• Supervising sales & marketing activities and operations of the Swiss Principal and Lia sophia Germany Gmbh • Project managing the research, testing and development of business opportunities in new international markets e.g. China• Providing recommendations on department structures, efficiencies and budgets to ensure compliance with company goals• Developing operations, distribution and marketing to optimize new market in China• Advising Board members on tax structures and efficiencies in different European countries • Driving targeted marketing and promotional campaigns to maximise existing markets• Monitoring key indicators and identifying and planning for continuous improvement • Planning and controlling annual budgets and P&L in line with company objectives and targets• Performance managing senior management teams• Identifying and overseeing recruitment needs• Organising annual conferences and ad hoc events during the year • Responsible for managing the structured liquidation of 3 companies, operations and staff

Appointed as the first Senior Business Development Manager responsible for project managing the research and testing of potential operations in Germany, Brazil and China, and leading the set up of new operations, procedures, PR & marketing• Project managed the complete setup of operations and supporting processes in Germany • Led the setup of procedures and operations for the Swiss office including Sales, Customer Service, Distribution and Marketing• Led research into the viability of operations in France, Italy, Brazil and China; and preparing and presenting business plans and cost analysis to Board members• Coordinated all Task Force meetings and managed key process phases in line with strategy• Ensured all new management in each country act in accordance with company values, strategy and vision• Working with 3rd parties to develop and implement order entry systems, CRM databases, social media and online interfaces • Overall responsibility for ensuring consistent communication and business practices across all regions and functions• Supported all involved departments in developing process documentation and procedures as a guide for subsequent country openings

Responsible for researching, testing and opening new markets internationally including implementing business development plans, quality assurance policies and overall management of strategic marketing programmes and all phases of market entry• Project managed the opening of operations and business processes in new markets from viability analysis to handover to local management teams after first year of operation• Ensuring the effective management of budgets (up to £500,000) to deliver key projects• Supervised interdisciplinary project leaders to deliver each development stage in line with budget and company objectives• Produced detailed entry recommendations and business plans collaborating with Legal Counsel and Finance department in establishing new companies, planning tax structures, determining price structures and handling all registrations / agreements• Worked with 3rd parties to develop and implement IT infrastructure including social media and online interfaces • Led the recruitment and training programme of all key personnel in new markets • Monitored Key Performance Indicators and managed continuous improvement initiatives and corrective action when necessary• Actively involved in driving marketing planning, strategy and ccommunications during first year of opening

Msc, Social Research Methods

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), History