Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Speaking Engagements
Languages
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic

ADAM ALVAREZ LIENDO

London,UK

Summary

Engineer and retail operations leader with 10+ years of experience driving growth, customer excellence, and operational performance across the UK and Europe. Currently Head of Retail Operations for Ria Money Transfer (UK & Ireland) , delivering record EBIT, digital innovations, and managing a multi-million-euro European currency exchange project across multiple markets. Proven track record in P&L ownership, store openings, team leadership, and compliance in the UK financial industry . Previous leadership roles at Salomon and Arc'teryx , plus entrepreneurial success running my own business. Also an international speaker , sharing lessons on leadership and risk management from life-threatening mountaineering expeditions .

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education

Work history

UK & IE Retail Manager

Ria Financial Services Ltd.
London
04.2022 - 09.2025

Dynamic and results-driven Retail Manager with a proven record of exceeding financial objectives and leading large-scale retail operations. Currently overseeing 12 stores with an annual turnover of £140M+ in the UK, while driving revenue growth, launching new product lines, and leading strategic projects at both country and European level. Skilled in P&L management, operational optimization, team leadership, and customer engagement.

Key Achievements:

  • Full P&L ownership, meeting EBIT targets through rigorous cost control and revenue growth strategies.
  • Achieved the highest Ebit performance in 2024 for Ria UK since started operating over 15 years ago.
  • Successfully managing £140M+ annual turnover across two product lines (Money Transfer & Currency Exchange).
  • Spearheaded the opening of five new stores (with two more scheduled for Q2 2025), ensuring profitability from launch.
  • Project Manager for a multi-million-euro European Currency Exchange initiative, coordinating with country managers, compliance, and operations across multiple markets.
  • Pioneered the launch of Ria UK's first Currency Exchange website, adding new subproducts to enhance revenue and EBIT.
  • Consistently analysed sales data, identified variances, and implemented corrective actions to exceed targets.
  • Recognised speaker at industry sales meetings, presenting business results and growth strategies to diverse audiences.
  • Increased customer numbers, optimised pricing policies, and improved service efficiency during peak periods.
  • Led, motivated, and developed teams to achieve sales growth and operational excellence.
  • Conducted staff performance reviews, coaching, and training to maintain high service and job performance standards.
  • Ensured compliance with quality, customer service, and health & safety standards across all branches.

Retail Area Manager

Ria Financial Services Ltd.
London
08.2021 - 04.2022

Oversaw multiple retail branches, delivering consistent revenue growth and strong customer satisfaction. Focused on team development, operational compliance, and sales optimisation.


  • Surpassed revenue targets across both Money Transfer and Currency Exchange channels.
  • Opened and supported new retail locations, boosting brand presence in London.
  • Implemented sales action plans and marketing initiatives to drive volumes and revenues.
  • Conducted staff training and evaluations, improving performance and service quality.
  • Ensured cash control, AML compliance, and adherence to operational procedures.

Senior Store Manager

Salomon Brand Store
Madrid, Spain
02.2019 - 08.2021

Opened and managed Salomon's first flagship store in Spain, leading a team of nine while delivering on sales, KPIs, and brand visibility.


  • Successfully project-managed full store launch, including recruitment, training, and system setup.
  • Consistently exceeded sales, NPS, and CRM data-capture targets (NPS ±96).
  • Introduced and tested new retail concepts (Endless Aisle app, mobile POS, compact-store model).
  • Supported Salomon's EMEA training team by sharing best practices across the network.
  • Maintained top-tier loss prevention results through strict compliance protocols.

Assistant Store Manager

Arc'teryx Flagship Store
London
08.2015 - 02.2019
  • Promoted to oversee operations, HR tasks, team development, and coordination with HQ.
  • Achieved top 3 global performance for the London flagship store.
  • Introduced a new staff communication and engagement programme, boosting sales conversion.
  • Managed payroll, scheduling, and KPIs while maintaining exceptional customer service standards.
  • Acted as Community Manager, delivering in-store events and managing social media.

Retail Sales Leader & Training Supervisor

Arc'teryx Flagship Store
London
01.2016 - 01.2017
  • Led sales training and delivered Meerkat workshops to strengthen in-store execution.
  • Oversaw technical product training and ensured the team consistently exceeded sales targets.

Sales Associate

Arc'teryx Flagship Store
London
01.2015 - 01.2016
  • Consistently #1 salesperson in the company, winning multiple sales awards (2015–2017).

Sales & Stockroom Assistant

Massimo Dutti
Dublin
01.2013 - 01.2014
  • Supported daily retail operations, customer service, and stockroom processes.

Founder & Business Owner

Fotografia y Video Digital Pico Espejo C.A.
Mérida, Venezuela
01.2005 - 01.2013
  • Founded and ran a graphic design and photography company, growing it to 20+ staff in peak season.
  • Managed full operations (sales, POS, recruitment, training, product development).
  • Designed and delivered personalised digital souvenirs, achieving strong customer retention.

Mountaineering Guiding Manager

Montañistas Merideños por el Mundo C.A.
Mérida, Venezuela
01.1999 - 01.2013
  • Certified mountain/city guide leading a team of nine guides in the Venezuelan Andes.
  • Designed and led trekking and mountaineering expeditions at medium/high altitude.
  • Delivered safety, technical instruction, and customer care with a 1:3 guide-to-client ratio.
  • Organised and documented expeditions, including digital souvenir services.

Education

BSc - Forestry Engineering

Los Andes University
01.2004 - 01.2009

Skills

  • Strategy & planning – national & regional retail growth
  • Sales & growth – revenue, EBIT, market share
  • Store network – openings, expansion, optimisation
  • People leadership – coaching & team development
  • Customer focus – service, loyalty, CRM
  • Financial control – P&L, budgets, efficiency
  • Market insight – trends & competitor tracking
  • Project leadership – multi-million European initiatives
  • Cross-functional – retail, marketing, supply chain, compliance
  • Compliance – AML, KYC, GDPR & UK financial regulations

Speaking Engagements

  • Conferences – Leadership, resilience & risk management (mountaineering insights)
  • Workshops – Decision-making under pressure & team leadership
  • Corporate Events – Strategic leadership, compliance & operational excellence

Languages

Spanish – Native
Native
English – Full professional proficiency
Fluent
Italian – Conversational
Elementary

Hobbies and Interests

Passionate about mountaineering, ice climbing, and trail running, with extensive high-altitude expedition experience. These pursuits have shaped my approach to leadership, risk management, and resilience, which I actively share as a speaker at conferences, workshops, and corporate events

Timeline

UK & IE Retail Manager

Ria Financial Services Ltd.
04.2022 - 09.2025

Retail Area Manager

Ria Financial Services Ltd.
08.2021 - 04.2022

Senior Store Manager

Salomon Brand Store
02.2019 - 08.2021

Retail Sales Leader & Training Supervisor

Arc'teryx Flagship Store
01.2016 - 01.2017

Assistant Store Manager

Arc'teryx Flagship Store
08.2015 - 02.2019

Sales Associate

Arc'teryx Flagship Store
01.2015 - 01.2016

Sales & Stockroom Assistant

Massimo Dutti
01.2013 - 01.2014

Founder & Business Owner

Fotografia y Video Digital Pico Espejo C.A.
01.2005 - 01.2013

BSc - Forestry Engineering

Los Andes University
01.2004 - 01.2009

Mountaineering Guiding Manager

Montañistas Merideños por el Mundo C.A.
01.1999 - 01.2013
ADAM ALVAREZ LIENDO