Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
TOOLS
Certification
Additional Information
Timeline
Generic
Benjamin Ayres

Benjamin Ayres

London

Summary

Commercially driven sales and business development professional with extensive experience securing new business, negotiating high-value agreements, conducting market analysis, and building long-term client relationships. Founder and business leader with a proven record of winning instructions, presenting commercial propositions, managing customer pipelines, conducting face-to-face meetings, and closing complex deals. Experienced in valuation-led commercial discussions, territory development, prospecting, canvassing, and customer service. Looking to transfer strong sales, negotiation and relationship-management expertise into residential property sales and listings.

Overview

13
13
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification

Work history

Co-Founder

RAZE
London
12.2021 - 06.2025
  • Generated new business opportunities through direct outreach, networking and strategic partnerships.
  • Conducted commercial evaluations and pricing discussions comparable to valuation-led sales conversations.
  • Managed a pipeline of prospective clients from initial contact through negotiation and contract completion.
  • Presented tailored proposals, secured agreements and developed long-term customer relationships.
  • Led negotiations with brands, suppliers and commercial partners.
  • Raised over £1.5m in investment capital through relationship-led business development.
  • Worked collaboratively within a small, fast-paced team while maintaining exceptional customer service standards.

Co-Founder

BAGBOARD
London
01.2017 - 11.2021
  • Built and managed a network of more than 2,000 independent retail businesses.
  • Consistently secured new commercial instructions and partnership agreements.
  • Conducted face-to-face meetings, negotiated contracts and managed client expectations.
  • Developed local-area prospecting and canvassing strategies to increase market penetration.
  • Created and delivered sales presentations for major brands including Sky, Ben & Jerry’s and Ocado.
  • Managed customer relationships throughout the sales cycle from lead generation to completion.
  • Demonstrated a strong track record of winning business in a competitive market.

Credit Trader

CREDIT SUISSE
London
11.2015 - 06.2016

• Negotiated high-value transactions with institutional clients.
• Developed strong communication, relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
• Worked in a target-driven environment requiring attention to detail and regulatory compliance.

Credit Trader

MORGAN STANLEY
London
06.2012 - 10.2015
  • Managed client relationships and commercial negotiations in fast-moving markets.
  • Delivered strong financial performance through effective negotiation and customer engagement.
  • Developed a disciplined approach to compliance, documentation and risk management.

Education

MA (Hons) - Pure Mathematics

The University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
01.2009 - 01.2013

A-Levels - Mathematics, History, Philosophy, Economics

Warwick School
Warwick, Warwickshire
09.2005 - 06.2007

Skills

Business Development & New Business Generation
Sales Negotiation & Closing
Client Relationship Management
Customer Presentations (transferable client-facing experience)
Valuation & Commercial Assessment
Lead Qualification & Pipeline Management
Marketing & Local Area Prospecting
Contract Negotiation
CRM Systems (Salesforce, HubSpot)
Market Analysis & Pricing Strategy
Excellent Telephone & Communication Skills
Team Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

TOOLS

  • Excel & Google Sheets
  • Google Workspace
  • SalesForce
  • Hubspot CRM
  • Notion
  • Docusign

Certification

Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment - Aug 2013: Passed examinations for Securities, UK Financial Regulations (Capital Markets Programme) & Financial Derivatives

Additional Information

  • Full UK driving license
  • Comfortable conducting viewings, client meetings and local-area prospecting
  • Strong understanding of market dynamics, pricing and negotiation

Timeline

Co-Founder

RAZE
12.2021 - 06.2025

Co-Founder

BAGBOARD
01.2017 - 11.2021

Credit Trader

CREDIT SUISSE
11.2015 - 06.2016

Credit Trader

MORGAN STANLEY
06.2012 - 10.2015

MA (Hons) - Pure Mathematics

The University of Edinburgh
01.2009 - 01.2013

A-Levels - Mathematics, History, Philosophy, Economics

Warwick School
09.2005 - 06.2007
Benjamin Ayres