Position: General Manager, Hoopers, Carlisle.
Current Role:
Career Highlights:
Brought the Harrogate’s store, post acquisition by Hoopers in 1996, to the position of top performing store in the group in terms of ROI, profit contribution, sales/GP per sq ft, staff costs, stock turn. Known to be highly competitive and driven to achieve results.
Given the role of GM in Carlisle to transform the company’s latest acquisition and develop the potential of the business. This has meant implementing business plans, financial forecasts and budgets, building the management and wider teams from scratch and rebranding the store to it’s target customer. Overseeing and directly project managing the investment and refurbishment programme in Hoopers, Carlisle in 2007 and planning the completion of this for 2008.
Known for strong interpersonal skills and the ability to motivate and lead the team. Successfully managed both the Harrogate store and now Carlisle through periods of change. IIP recognition gained in the Harrogate store in 2003 under my direction and leadership, the first store in the company to receive this. Carlisle now has been awarded IIP status in February 2008, only 18 months after the business was acquired which is considered a significant achievement.
Reputation for creative marketing ideas and the ability to make them happen. These include dance fashion show live in the store windows in Harrogate, large events such as fashion shows e.g. at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, Carlisle Cathedral (the first fashion show in it's 900 year history). The exciting theatrical relaunch of the store in September 2007 'Let the Show Begin. Our latest PR event, the fashion show at Kirkbampton which was filmed by ITV and put us on the front page of the Cumberland News for the first time! But apart from this the most significant aspect of the event was that we made over 300 new friends in the village and it’s community through our ability to engage their interest and entertain our audience.
Active participation in Carlisle Renaissance groups/workshops especially those concerning the Cultural Heritage Quarter. Asked to join the CCHG as the only representative of the private sector.
The lighting of the Cathedral tree for Christmas, hopefully the first of many!
Personal Statement:
As fundamentally as a salesperson at heart, the most important aspect to my role is to be a good listener and since moving into the area almost 2 years ago I have spent a great deal of time listening to local people and their views. It was critical to ensure that Hoopers investment was to be well placed and to be able to do that I had to make sure we traded successfully within our location - listening, learning and then taking action was going to be vital to our success. Although I will always be considered as someone from outside of the County I do hope people are seeing an indication of the fact that my promise as a retailer, amongst others, was to be here for the duration and to serve the people of Carlisle, Cumbria and it's visitors with the standard of customer care and product they deserve. During this process I have become passionate about Carlisle, with all it’s hidden gems, it’s huge heritage and history and simply want, like so many of the people I have listened to, the city to realise it’s potential. The aspirations for the city and the wider community it serves should be set realistically but should be as high as possible.
I see a vision for Carlisle as creating a unique ambience to rival other attractive cities and offering the residents of the city and county a sense of great pride in it's history and culture. As part of this I believe the Historic Core/Quarter should play a significant feature in the city's renaissance where the area could be populated with niche retailers, street theatre and vibrant activities of a varied nature. Our USP can be both Cumbrian and cosmopolitan!
I do have energy, enthusiasm, a positive outlook and a ‘can do’ attitude. Above all I enjoy a challenge and hope that I have a good sense of humour at all times!
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