Mahmoud Gao

Commercial and digital growth turnaround of KSA's largest D2C streetwear brand — full P&L ownership across 18 locations and eCommerce. • LFL +45% YoY; eCommerce 8% → 15% — performance marketing and channel optimisation across 18 locations • CAC $90 → $43 — built in-house performance marketing (Meta, Google, TikTok); diversified acquisition via influencer and affiliate • Conversion rate +34% — eCommerce relaunch through growth hacking, UX, and checkout redesign • KPI framework built from scratch — CAC, LTV, conversion, and channel contribution dashboards across retail and digital

Built D2C fashion concept store from $500K — acquisition-led growth strategy, full P&L ownership, omnichannel expansion. • 167% revenue CAGR in 10 months — acquisition-led eCommerce, seasonal campaigns, omnichannel integration • Grew revenue from a $500K base — full P&L ownership across eCommerce, CRM, and retail • Team of 25+ across product, marketing, technology, and operations • Inventory turnover +40% — IMS and demand forecasting; improved stock availability across all channels

Founded the Middle East's first curated D2C fashion platform — zero to $5M ARR, VC-backed, founder-operated. • $5M ARR from zero — AI-led positioning earned CNN, Sky News, GQ, Esquire as primary acquisition channels • CAC –40%, LTV +50% YoY — Meta/Google performance marketing, CRM automation, community content • $4M+ raised across two VC rounds — board governance, investor relations, cash runway management • Full-stack digital infrastructure built from scratch — CDP, IMS, CRM, reverse logistics WMS across 25+ brand partners

■ Spearheaded UAE market entry for a UK-based HR consulting firm, liaising with two Partners to conduct in-depth HR/talent management research and foster lucrative business development opportunities ■ Played a pivotal role in a nationalization project, devising targeted strategies for talent attraction, employee engagement, and performance management ■ Improved client's employee retention by 23%, leading to significant cost savings in recruitment fees and a more stable workforce. ■ Delivered instrumental technical and strategic guidance for an AI-driven workforce prediction tool

■ Collaborated with senior management & the board to devise a comprehensive 3-year strategic and financial roadmap, along with annual plans and quarterly updates, ensuring timely progress measurement and course correction. ■ Managed and monitored a strategic initiative portfolio encompassing 15 renowned luxury brands, including product launches, store openings, and marketing strategy: benchmarked performance against budgets and targets, driving revenue growth & cost discipline. Identified cost savings & margin opportunities that contributed an additional 200 basis points to the portfolio's profits. ■ Led comprehensive monthly financial evaluations for 160 top-tier luxury-brand shops throughout the GCC region; examined P&L statements and devised targeted corrective action plans to boost sales growth and optimize profitability. ■ Led a strategic M&A initiative, conducting in-depth analysis recommend two exceptional European luxury brands for successful expansion into the competitive GCC market; responsibilities included market research, market entry strategy, feasibility analysis, and store rollout planning.

■ Appointed financial lead for a high stakes $50M client engagement, offering expert guidance to project executives on GAAP compliance, budgeting and forecasting pipeline deals, pricing, and cash management strategies. ■ Delivered quarterly and annual pipeline analysis presentations to senior management, providing data-driven strategic insights to refine business development approaches and re-evaluate client relationships as necessary. ■ Orchestrated a comprehensive system integration project and program delivery for a major bank, ensuring full compliance with stringent governmental regulations established in response to the 2008 financial crisis.