Over 30 years experience of starting,
running and growing businesses
An accomplished and results-driven creative company director
My strong business acumen, combined with exceptional communication and negotiation abilities, enables me to build and maintain robust client relationships whilst surpassing organisational objectives. My expertise in project management ensures the successful planning, execution, delivery and financial control of a wide range of both online and offline projects.
My experience within the creative sector has been gained from taking a new business startup to 18 staff and a turnover of £1m+ through building a team, embracing new technology and offering diverse services. I am an approachable, enthusiastic, and versatile professional, who has the confidence to present at board level and to large groups at regional events. Calm under pressure and detail orientated. Committed to delivering excellence, I thrive in dynamic environments and possess a keen eye for identifying opportunities to optimise client success.
EXPERIENCE
Sales and account management
Once the business has been won, I manage the project alongside the client, including writing briefs, scheduling, cost reporting and managing timelines. I will either deliver the complete project myself, or work alongside a team of 3rd party designers and developers to deliver the project to agreed parameters.
Projects can include brand development, print design, website design and build including Google analytics and implementing onsite SEO, external analysis and software tools, email marketing, social media and exhibition design. I also work with external providers such as photographers, printers, data analysts and manufacturers.
NETWORKING
I have a lot of connections and a wide-reaching network across the UK. I have also represented the region at the BNI National Conference and I have been nominated for a recognition award at the 2023 UK Conference.
KEY SKILLS
- Researching new business opportunities
- Building relationships with prospective clients and referral partners
- Ensuring projects are delivered to the highest quality, within budget and on-time by managing required resources
- Creating achievable project plans and financial controls
- Managing clients’ expectations and developing strategies to overcome obstacles
- Awareness of commercial and financial aspects of projects and reporting
- Providing persuasive advice and support to clients if more appropriate solutions are available
- Managing and developing teams to ensure the best resource for the client
- Strategic planning and structuring of future business
- Awareness of industry developments and opportunities
- Staff recruitment and HR duties
- Control of business finances and legal obligations
- Generated over £330k in business for my network and referral partners in the last 12 months
PERSONAL SKILLS
- Possess a client focussed approach to all projects
- Excellent customer facing and presentation skills to board level
- Willingness to accept responsibility and take decisions
- Able to manage input and relationships with third parties through the project life
- Excellent organisational skills, with accuracy and attention to detail
- Ability to quickly learn new technologies and how they benefit the business
- Supportive to team members and willingness to lend a hand when required
Career history
Nettl of Macclesfield
Principal Image
Key achievements
Forecasting industry change
I foresaw the decline in the reprographics trade and recruited a complete design department to facilitate additional services. This included negotiating to recruit a department head, researching, testing and implementing a full suite of computers and digital equipment which involved European travel. This decision saved the business and grew to become the successful marketing and design business I currently operate.
New product launches
I have worked closely with clients to launch various new product ranges. This has involved being involved at the product design stage, working with the manufacturers to ensure the concepts were achievable in both practical and financial terms. I project managed the entire process with the manufacturers to ensure samples came through on time. I was also entrusted to travel to India to sign off the final prototype and check production facilities on behalf of the client.
I also managed the marketing behind the launch of the ranges to B2B customers through branding, the design and production of printed brochures and point of sale units. The G2 range became the clients biggest selling range of all time.
e-commerce website launch
I worked with a North East based B2B product distributor to launch their first e-commerce website. My role involved quoting and budget setting as well as project managing the entire build with third party programmers. I personally oversaw the technical scoping, UX, design and build of the website. I managed and manipulated the data for 5,000 products including unique SKU data, pricing and product images. I personally set up all categories and uploaded the data. I performed full user testing and worked with the developers to ensure the site went live on time and without any glitches.
Online business launch
I worked with a London based client and investors to launch a website offering a new concept in car leasing. Working with the client I also offered business advice in terms of how best to bring his idea to market, which included detailed customer journey planning.
I oversaw all technical aspects of the site including UX. I managed the development of the technical scope document, sourced and project managed third party developers to deliver the website. This also included recovering the project when the original programmers pulled out towards the end of the project. I managed client expectations and re-assured them to deliver the final website – finally exceding their expectations.
European advertising
Working alongside the UK marketing manager for a worldwide tyre manufacturer, I managed the concepts and design for a range of advertising to appear across the leading motoring magazines. The visuals were accepted and I supported the designers creating the images and producing print ready artwork files.
The adverts were such a success they were rolled out across all their European divisions. Artwork was translated and adjusted to suit each individual market.
Catalogue project management
I took complete ownership of the development of a 400-page printed catalogue. From pitching for the business, the initial quotation, and management of the £120k budget, to production, approval and distribution. The project included design concepts, photography, product data management, artwork creation, proof approval, printing and mailing. The client attributed the catalogue to increasing their turnover by 30%.
Celebrity clients
I personally approached London based interior designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to develop his website. I pitched our ideas and designs to win the business over his incumbent agency. The website went on to win awards and helped to establish the LLB brand.
The relationship continued and we worked on both personal projects and new product launches for his range of soft furnishings. I became part of his team of licensed suppliers and worked for a number of years on various projects.
INTERESTS
I love the excitement of seeing live bands and try to attend a music festival each year. My appreciation for diverse cultures has motivated me to embark on extensive global travels, allowing me to broaden my perspective and finally as a testament to my unwavering loyalty, I proudly proclaim my lifelong support for Stockport County.
Award winning
I was presented with an award for Outstanding Leadership in BNI’s Core Values at the BNI UK and Ireland National Leaders conference 2023
