• Versatile, creative thinker

• Analytical problem solver, capable of implementing process-driven or bespoke solutions in a variety of settings

• Methodical and organised, with an ability to oversee multiple concurrent projects, ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget

• Adept in procurement & sourcing, including tendering and negotiation, for POS, props, furniture etc.

• Equally comfortable as a team player or lone worker

• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities

• Proficient in Microsoft and Adobe suites

• Full UK Driver’s Licence

FRASERS GROUP (April 2020 – date)

• Jack Wills Creative & Visual Merchandiser, April 2020 - July 2023

• Jack Wills Visual Merchandising Lead, July 2023 – September 2024

• Own Brands Visual Merchandising Lead, September 2024 – Date

Starting in 2020 with the completion of Sports Direct’s acquisition of Jack Wills, my initial responsibilities were focused on the adaptation and integration of various functions, including VM, marketing, communications, procurement/distribution and store development, managing the distribution and disposal of shop fit and display elementsacross a rapidly changing estate.

After integration was completed, my role focused on creating guidance, providing feedback, training and store visits/openings, until I stepped up to JW VM Lead in 2023. In this role, I took ownership of JW across Frasers, USC and JW stand-alone stores, acting as a key source of knowledge for the brand. I produced VM communications, managed the JW VM function and became a go-between for other departments and our sister company, ensuring co-operational efficiency.

In 2024, this role expanded to encompass all premium-category own brands, including Biba, Be You, Karrimor and others. In delivering the above, my day-to-day responsibilities are to:

• Create seasonal VM guidance for all brands across three fascias

• Work closely across a multi-fascia team of VMs to create easily digestible, informative and consistent comms to store teams

• Develop and maintain a user friendly, on brand, SharePoint experience accessible to stores and wider retail team

• Produce a bi-annual Model Store experience

• Attend bi-seasonal meetings with our sister company to gather all key buying, design and merchandising information for the upcoming drops

• Review and report on weekly sales figures and delivering quarterly reports to the Group Head of Luxury & Premium

• Identify opportunities to boost sales in underperforming areas through reconfiguration and trial implementation

• Review and feed back to stores on product and marketing launches

• Identify and nurture an internal network of proficient individuals across the estate that I can call on to assist with store openings etc

• Collaborate with the Projects team, reviewing and approving VM elements of store design

• Manage branded departments for store openings across the group, on-site and remotely

• Collaborate with marketing and graphics teams to deliver activations and campaigns into stores

• Design and deliver visual displays in windows and stores across the UK

• Maintain and expand a network of suppliers and contractors

• Advise and mentor team juniors on best practice within their roles

JACK WILLS (September 2015 – March 2020)

•        VM Intern, September 2015 – March 2016

•        Creative Store Experience & Windows Assistant, April 2016 – March 2020

As an intern reporting to the Creative Store & Visual Project Manager and Global Head of VM, I assisted in preparing for new store openings, creating artwork for stores, assisting in buying trips for furniture and props, project budgeting and managing shop-fit teams on new store openings.

After being hired to stay on full time, my role within Jack Wills greatly evolved over the four-and-a-half years that I was with the company, encompassing both VM and store design. My role consisted of leading the development of all creative visual window elements and contributing to store design, across the UK and internationally in the US, UAE and Asia.

Though this was my first role in the industry, I was given a high degree of autonomy to manage my own time and trusted to take initiative whilst carrying out my responsibilities, which included:

Windows & Creative

With influence from the graphics and design teams on seasonal direction, I designed each window scheme and worked with suppliers to implement and deliver a full concept, sometimes with additional elements flowing into the store environment.

• Present and deliver new concepts and visual displays across windows and in store creatives from initial mood boards through to implementation

• Budgeting across projects and yearly financial plans

• Researching new suppliers and meeting with external agencies

• Sourcing, buying, distributing and following up on all window displays across all stores in the UK and internationally

• Researching new suppliers and meeting with external agencies

• Surveying store windows

• Liaising with store managers and their teams to prepare for installations

• Creating and distributing VM guidelines for all launches

• Being on site for all set ups, openings and installs where required

• Working with stores and Field VMs, post launch, to fine-tune installations, provide feedback on execution and resolve any issues

• Liaising with marketing on activations and helping to create styled environments for events
  
  

Store Design

Working with Store Development to realise the new store concept, creating a fresher and more modern feel in new and existing stores inspired by mid-century and industrial design features.

• Sourcing and negotiating costs for brand/commercially appropriate furniture, props and imagery from antique fairs and dealers

• Organising reupholstery and repair of antique items

• Organising and maintaining prop storage and facilities

• Arranging logistical support

• Managing the shop-fit and installation teams on new store openings and larger creative installations

2011 – 2014, Oxford Brookes University

• Fine Art, BA – Upper Second-Class Honours Degree
  
  

2010 – 2011, Kingston University

• Art and Design – Foundation Degree
  
  

2003 – 2010, Lady Margaret School

• A-levels in Fine Art, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry

• 10 GCSEs

Referees available on request.