Andrew Owen

Opened a retail shop specialising in unusual gifts and accessories for Men. Within two years, moved two doors away to larger premises and added Men's Clothing to the offer. Responsible for all aspects of the business from staffing, buying, merchandising, overall concept and sales. Became known as the 'go to' shop for men's gifts and clothing in North London stocking brands such as Barbour, Gant and Secrid. Customer service was paramount and the staff & I took time to help customers, ensuring their experience in our shop made them want to come back, time after time. We received regular praise from everyone.

I started and ran a sourcing operation, specialising in leather bags and other allied accessories, working with factories in India and the Far East. Customers included Hotter Shoes & White Stuff. Visited India & China/Hong Kong on numerous occasions to work on product and with factories to ensure we delivered the very best quality for each customer order. Employed a Designer to work with customers, making sure their needs were met and negotiated all prices with the factories to ensure these came in at targets given.

Designers and importers of bags and accessories for the fashion trade. Stock suppliers to independent and departmental stores in the UK and abroad and made to order specialists for major multiple groups with an annual turnover of £15m. I was directly responsible for eight staff. Employed to increase sales to established customers, to expand the customer base both in the UK and from the company's Hong Kong showrooms. To introduce branded product to the stock ranges of day and evening bags, soft accessories, purses and wallets. Successfully built a strong in-house sales team of Agents who I managed and who achieved over 50% of the annual branded sales. Expanded the company's presence at trade fairs, including all negotiation and planning of space and stand design. Responsible for selecting and purchasing stock for all ranges, resulting in doubling stock sales on the initial year's turnover by £1m. Successfully introduced new branded collections to the business. Worked with factories in the Far East and India to ensure product was on time and to the highest standards.

Designers and manufacturers of millinery to the fashion trade employing 80 staff. Increased the customer base and updated and improved factory procedures, staffing levels, range content and sales in the UK and Europe. Responsible for bringing in new sales in the first year of over £1m by working with the design team to update and widen the appeal of existing ranges and introduce new contract customers to the company.

Ladies wear manufacturer, wholesaler and retailer specialising in co-ordinated clothing, shoes and accessories collections (colour related) for the mid market, with a turnover of £45m per annum. Ensured division was continually thriving to achieve excellence in design and sales. Responsible for controlling the strategic direction of all aspects of two global fashion, shoe and accessories brands, including: Brand strategy, Product Design and development, Product sourcing and purchasing, Divisional costs and budgeting, Managing and time-tabling a team of 40 staff, Regular contact and updates with Agents & Distributors worldwide.

Responsible for driving the business from a small Company to a successful well known international brand. In charge of the development of all brands, shoes and accessories, including: Product sourcing and development, Range planning, Sample development and production, Presentation of ranges to worldwide agents, Managing a team of 25 staff, Directing and overseeing Merchandising Teams.

Set up the accessories division from scratch to complement the established clothing brands and achieved sales of £3m in the first year's trading. Set in place: Range building to include shoes, bags, jewellery, scarves and hats. Recruited and developed buying and merchandising teams. Sourced supply bases, negotiated prices and established quality standards with suppliers in the UK, Europe and the Far East. Established a very successful range of accessories to complement the clothing ranges.