Key Strengths
• Experienced in restructuring sales division to drive cost savings whilst still delivering increased revenues of 51% year on year.
• Sales process change including designing an entire new mortgage selling structure which led to increased conversions of mortgage and insurance sales across a 34 branch network.
• Leadership through 10 years management experience.
• Staff recruitment, training and development of various teams of up to 40 staff. From new starters to those with 30+ yrs experience.
• Design and implementation of incentive schemes including changing of existing schemes and creation of new ones in both Retail and Financial Services.
• Audit and compliance – adhering to tough new Financial Services rules directly and via my teams, always achieving internal and external compliance department sign offs.
• Robust performance management to allow structural and personnel change quickly as different company’s required, which allowed a reduction in headcount whilst increasing sales performance.
• Strategic account management covering as many as 2000 national accounts, and accounts in up to 9 countries.
Education
Jan 2013 – Present MBA, Manchester Business School (expected completion – 2015)
2007 Diploma in Leadership, Brathay Business School
2005 CEMAP Qualified
Professional Experience:
May13 – Present Business Development Manager, Dragonfly Property Finance (part of Octopus Investments)
Managing a UK territory of Commercial Finance brokers selling Bridging, Commercial and Development finance. Responsible for growing the business across London, the West, and the North of England with brokers who do not currently use us, as well as maintaining existing relationships with key accounts across the UK.
• Top performing BDM within 6 months in role.
Jun 11 – May 13 Business Development Manager, Octopus Investments
Managing a UK territory of IFA’s selling a range of Venture Capital and Inheritance Tax solutions, including Venture Capital Trusts, Enterprise Investment Schemes and Business Property Relief investments. Also responsible for the training and development of seven new starters and delivery of strategic retention campaigns to retain investments into our range of VCTs. Involved with various Specialist Finance functions on different campaigns.
• Worked on a consultancy basis with one of our portfolio companies to streamline and improve their sales structure.
• Top performer for business written, new accounts won and activity within first 9 months in the role.
• Took the region from 13th out of 14 regions to 2nd in 18 months.
• Worked within our Specialist Finance team to deliver in excess of £90m investment into solar projects from a standing start in 4 months.
• Scored the joint highest review score within the company.
Sep 10 – Jun 11 Sales Manager, Gift Republic
Responsible for the sales division of a product design company specialising in gifts. Took personal responsibility for the international sales division. Managed a UK team of account managers and agents selling on the road. Managed a US sales force of 40 reps. Designed and implemented structured training plans for the sales force. Involved in the product design strategy of the company.
• Devised a new sales structure, and implemented it through robust performance management, to reflect the changing needs of the company within 3 months of starting.
• Despite tough retail conditions grew the business 51% year on year in first quarter from 2010 to 2011.
• Increased the countries we sold into from two to nine in six months.
• Grew revenue from £2.2m in 2010 to £3.3m in 2011.
Nov 07 – Sep 10 Business Development Manager, Chelsea Building Society
Responsible for mortgage, insurance and secured loan business across London to deliver the company targets. Main point of contact for all financial advisers in London and responsible for building and maintaining relationships with them.
• Achieved in excess of 100% of target despite tough market conditions. Including in excess of £200m of lending in 2008, described by the National Sales Manager as “exceptional”. Awarded “BDM of the Year” in 2009.
• Developed a secured loan introducer base in excess of 200 from scratch who delivered in excess of £400,000 of secured loans.
Feb 06 – Nov 07 Senior Branch Manager, Chelsea Building Society (Kensington)
Senior Branch Manager of our flagship branch. Responsible for the delivery of 7 KPI’s which were the largest targets in the company. Managed and motivated a team of 6 staff and was responsible for their recruitment, training and development. Oversaw the branch adherence to compliance and audit procedures.
• Inspired the team to achieve all annual KPI’s in 2006 and 2007, 5 of which at 125% of target.
• Designed innovative training programmes for mortgage and insurance sales which were rolled out across the network.
• Earned the prestigious “Senior Branch Manager of the Year award” in 2007 along with 3 other annual awards.
Professional development courses (all with Chelsea Building Society):
Managing performance
Negotiating and influencing skills
Delivering feedback
Performance coaching
