productschć¶n consulting
With a strong family history in the clothing industry, right back to my great
great grandfather, Johannes, shown on the right (a tailor to Queen Victoria &
Prince Albert, no less!) I am an internationally experienced merchant. I have
worked in Retail and Wholesale for internationally recognised brands such as
Levi Strauss, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour and Ellesse. I started out at
the age of 18 as a trainee buyer for a European Clothing Wholesaler, Campari
International Plc, where I was mentored by the managing director and my father
John, in all aspects of design, product development, sampling, sourcing, buying,
brand franchises and major account selling. This led to the opportunity of
travelling the world extensively around Europe, the Far East and the United
States, providing me with a rich understanding of different cultures and the
ways of doing business on the international stage. From there I went on to live
and work in Germany, then back to the UK where I set up a designer fashion store
business with a good friend in Clapham, South London. I then proceeded to work
for Timberland EMEA out of their UK EHQ; I consulted for the Pentland Group
(with the Ellesse brand); then to Levi Strauss Europe as Design & Merchandise
Director for Dockers EMEA; next to Simonside, near Newcastle to consult on the J
Barbour & Sons clothing brand; before moving overseas once again to work as
Senior Merchandise Director Menswear for Tommy Hilfiger Europe, in Amsterdam. On
returning home once more, I then began working on small consulting projects.
That led me to become, a creative industry focussed business adviser initially,
with LSBC, as part of a London based business advisory team. From my
experience/background, I have developed strong business insights and an
entrepreneurial approach to developing business strategies, as I work with both
new and established businesses. These businesses include fashion creatives,
artists, service industry professionals and a multitude of on-line and off-line
line enterprises in the food & beverage, tech, furniture, beauty, travel, sports
and well-being sectors. In assisting in the process of setting up a business by
developing business plans; financial projections; product management strategies
and gaining access to business funding, I have developed a broad skill set that
is well appreciated by those who work/have worked with me (please check out my
client testimonials). I now also work as a proud Partner of the British Library
where I deliver quality and popular business planning and business development
workshops. I have also worked on the Reset Restart programme started as the
COVID-19 pandemic took hold. I also work as a mentor on programmes such as the
UK government’s HELP TO GROW Programme, operating as a consultant engaged by
Brunel University London.
