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Kate Eccles

Transformational Leader | CEO | Product & Strategy Expert | global supply chain Digital Penetration / Leadership Coach
About

I am a dynamic and versatile leader with over 25 years of experience across multiple industries, including fashion, education, and sustainable business practices. My career is marked by a deep understanding of product strategy, global market expansion, digital transformation, and leadership development. I have successfully led large cross-functional teams, driven business growth through innovative strategies, and maintained a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical leadership. In addition to my business leadership roles, I bring significant academic expertise, having led courses and programs at prestigious institutions like the London College of Contemporary Arts, London College of Fashion, and Surrey University. My unique blend of commercial and academic experience allows me to inspire and mentor the next generation of leaders while driving systemic change across sectors. Steering the London College of Contemporary Arts' Masters program, my focus on innovation in education has forged new pathways in academic practice. My role as a Course Director is complemented by over two and half decades at the helm of Global Fashion Brands and Sourcing, where I have honed expertise in business transformation, Global Business and Sourcing and digital strategy. The fusion of my academic and entrepreneurial endeavours has uniquely positioned me to drive change and shape future industry standards. My approach to key business areas, Future Skills Training, Gender equality, Creative expansion, Sensible and Smart Production, Thoughtful Sales and Marketing, Unified Future growth and brand protection reflects a commitment to ethical leadership and sustainable business practices.

Previous Brands
London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA)
The Goodwood Group
University of Surrey
Evergreen Fashions
University of Winchester
racing green
INSEEC U.
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology
Coventry University
CIEL Textile
Value Added in Africa (UK & Ireland)
Ruby London ltd
Ruby Clothes Ltd
Warehouse Fashions
Reiss
Joseph Ltd
Plum London
Bayerische vereinsbank
Eurobrokers
Work Experience
Course Director
Dec ‘21 - Dec ‘24
London College of Contemporary Arts (LCCA)

As the Course Director for the Master’s Program at the London College of Contemporary Arts, I lead the institution's flagship program in business marketing and entrepreneurship, with a commitment to cultivating the next generation of leaders. My focus is on equipping students with practical business skills and leadership acumen essential for navigating today's dynamic business landscape. In my role, I have spearheaded innovative digital learning initiatives that have resulted in 100% student satisfaction and an impressive 85% retention rate. I believe that education should be transformative, and I am dedicated to integrating real-world applications into the curriculum to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. Moreover, I have overseen the program's digital transformation, ensuring that our graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles in an increasingly digital environment. My passion for education, combined with my extensive industry experience, allows me to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application, driving systemic change and fostering a culture of innovation within the educational sector.

Retail Brand General Manager
Jun ‘19 - Dec ‘21
The Goodwood Group

Commercial Reposition Digital reposition and growth Physical Large scale events retail growth Direct design Direct Manufacturing P&L accountability Oversee retail team Oversee global production Report to Duke of Richmond

Associate Senior Lecturer - Global Business and Marketing
Jan ‘19 - Jan ‘20
University of Surrey

Senior Account Executive Consultant - Athleisure
Mar ‘18 - Dec ‘21
Evergreen Fashions

Associate Senior Course Leader - Buying Module
Jan ‘18 - Dec ‘19
University of Winchester

Licence Holder
Oct ‘17 - Jan ‘21
racing green

Owner of Racing Green - Womens Licence Collaboration with Debenhams Re launch womenswear design direction brand direction team management

Associate Senior Lecturer - Luxury Global Business and Innovation - PG and UG
Sep ‘17 - Dec ‘19
INSEEC U.

Senior Lecturer - Fashion Global Business and Marketing
Sep ‘17 - Dec ‘17
Limkokwing University of Creative Technology

Associate Senior Lecturer PG & UG- Fashion Business & Marketing, Global Business & Entrepeneurship
Jan ‘16 - Dec ‘19
Coventry University

Post graduate teaching associate / fashion marketing and business

Business Development Executive
Feb ‘15 - Feb ‘20
CIEL Textile

Commercial Manager design / production / brand position

Sustainable - Ethical Global Commercial Manager
Nov ‘13 - Jun ‘20
Value Added in Africa (UK & Ireland)

Ethical sourcing auditing BCI cotton programme implication Key advantages of African Production Value added textile and garments out of Africa costing of garments and compassion to India and China Logistics of import Matching up with Retailers, and sampling programme Growth opportunities and vertical production Ethical and Fair-trade - how is this achievable and still achieve required margins Panelist for ethical forums

Founder & CEO
Feb ‘05 -
Ruby London ltd

As the Founder and CEO of RUBY LONDON, I conceptualized and scaled a globally recognized denim brand that achieved £1 million in sales within its first year. My passion for innovation in fashion drives my commitment to product development, sourcing, and supply chain operations, where I have successfully overseen relationships with international suppliers. Throughout my journey, I have expanded RUBY LONDON into global markets, including the USA and UK, while spearheading e-commerce and digital sales strategies that elevate brand visibility and customer engagement. I take pride in managing cross-functional teams across design, marketing, and operations, fostering a culture of leadership and innovation that inspires collaboration and drives results. With a strong focus on sustainability and ethical business practices, I am dedicated to shaping the future of the fashion industry through strategic growth and operational excellence. Let’s connect and explore opportunities for collaboration and growth in the ever-evolving landscape of fashion and e-commerce.

Director Brand Strategy
Jan ‘03 - Jun ‘24
Ruby Clothes Ltd

Responsible for Design, Inspiration, Sourcing, Supply & route to market for multi high street brands, ranges and start ups, including Arcadia (Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins) Marks & Spencer - Women, Mens and Kids Odel - on-line fashion

Head of causal
Dec ‘01 - Aug ‘02
Warehouse Fashions

The total casual and denim buy. Product selection for all denim and casual product for stores. Direct design team to produce key product to achieve maximum high sell through. Management of all departmental staff including merchandising and allocators. Main contact and liaison for all factories both Far East and Europe. Sourcing new factories in key territories. Re-branding and positioning of casual product within store identity. Responsible for sealing procedure of garments. Management of all fits, sample to sealer. • Successfully raised brand level of casual product offer. • Involved in the first UK advertising of the Warehouse brand in Vogue. • Significant departmental sales increases and introduction of new key suppliers.

Head of womenswear
Oct ‘99 - Nov ‘04
Reiss

Formulation of a strategy for stable growth and development of the womens wear brand. Re-branded women's wear to sit alongside men's offer Responsible for complete womens wear buy in all product areas and sign off. Oversaw design department and direct product development. Purchasing of all fabrics for ranges pre season. Analysis of sales history and product history to ascertain winning lines and repeat business. Definition of the vision and customer profile of the Reiss womenswear brand to retail level. Stock management – mark down and stock movement by store location. Creation and management of critical path for production and merchandising. Management of womenswear team. Management of open to buy, forecasting for new store openings/planned growth. Development for Reiss USA Achievements: • Established Reiss womens wear on platform it still trades from today. • Brought the global vision to David Reiss, helped scope plans to open USA stores. • Re-established design team to grow brand into its present day format. • Successfully established womens wear as the main product area for the company, overachieving sales on the established menswear ranges.

International brand development
Aug ‘99 - Oct ‘00
Joseph Ltd

Prepare for sale of business and increase business in the USA. Buying and implementing new product area suited to USA market. Recruited retail team, worked with design team to improve collection of USA market. Worked with merchandising team to re-design stores to increase brand profile in USA regions. Achievements: • Increased LFL sales in collection stores by 35% • Increased USA group sales by 25% over a six month period.

Brand Director
Dec ‘96 - Sep ‘99
Plum London

Opened womens wear retail store targeting 20-40 year old fashion conscious, professional women. Design and development of a medium apparel range of ready to wear women’s clothing. Grew company to a business with 2 standalone stores and wholesale Built a retail team to maintain store sales targets – 20 people across both stores Achievements: • Runner up in best new retail store – drapers.

FX dealer
Jan ‘95 - Oct ‘96
Bayerische vereinsbank

Fx dealer

Broker Associate
Aug ‘94 - Jan ‘95
Eurobrokers

Yen IRS swaps trainee broker

Assistant to Directors
Jan ‘92 - Aug ‘94
Joseph Ltd

Buyers assistant and assistant to 3 Directors including Finance Director. Worked on own range and collections, created warehouse sale concept.

Languages
French - Work Proficiency
Spanish - Work Proficiency
Education & Training
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
‘15 - ‘18
BSHons - Level 6
Coventry University
‘15 - ‘17
Masters - PGCert - Level 7
Chichester College
‘10 - ‘11
Diploma
BSY
‘06 - ‘08
Diploma
London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London
‘01 - ‘04
Fashion Drawing
London, UK