Hi, I’m
John Stewart
Moffat,Dumfries and Galloway
Overview
55
years of professional experience
Work History
Kirkview HouseMoffat, Dumfries and Galloway
Small Hotel Owner
10.2017 - Current
Job overview
- Enhanced customer engagement and satisfaction through exceptional service delivery.
- Interacted with customers to identify needs and provide tailored service.
- Actively listened to customers to fully understand requests and address concerns.
- Built and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
- Promoted safe working environment by implementing regulatory standards, policies and guidelines.
- Ensured clean, safe work environments to mitigate accident risks.
Self EmployedEdinburgh, Edinburgh
Business Development Consultant
10.2010 - 11.2017
Job overview
- Secured new clients through targeted prospecting and networking strategies, expanding client base.
- Closed long-term agreements via skilled negotiation techniques.
- Created marketing and promotional initiatives that increased visibility and drove revenue growth.
- Planned and developed strategies to increase sales and enhance market positioning.
- Fostered relationships with key clients and partners to support business objectives.
- Demonstrated products to showcase benefits, facilitating informed purchasing decisions.
- Managed escalated client inquiries with professionalism to maintain trust.
- Prepared reports detailing business development activities and new initiatives.
Remax LeithEdinburgh, Edinburgh
Estate Agent Senior Associate
03.2004 - 09.2009
Job overview
- Secured favourable sales and leasing agreements through advanced negotiation techniques.
- Efficiently closed deals, satisfying both buyers and sellers.
- Exceeded sales targets using consultative strategies and effective closing skills.
- Promoted properties via targeted ads and open houses to boost visibility.
- Cultivated strong relationships with property owners through personalized service and advice.
- Maintained current knowledge of market trends and legislation for informed client guidance.
- Monitored market for client investment opportunities.
- Managed client database, ensuring timely updates on properties and market changes.
Pine Design, Peebleshire
Business Owner
03.1995 - 03.2003
Job overview
- Restored antique furniture, ensuring historical integrity while improving usability.
- Designed bespoke pieces tailored to client specifications and visual preferences.
- Measured plans accurately, facilitating smooth production workflows.
- Delivered detailed cost estimates and timelines to clients for transparency.
- Packaged products meticulously for shipment, optimizing safety during transport.
- Performed quality inspections on finished items to guarantee craftsmanship excellence.
- Trained new hires on equipment use, enhancing overall team performance.
- Engaged with local community through workshops, promoting craftsmanship awareness.
University of Edinburghedinburgh, edinburgh
Student
08.1992 - 07.1994
Job overview
- Documented key lecture points for later study and review.
- Successfully balanced academics, athletics, and community service as a student.
- Engaged in clubs to cultivate relationships with fellow students.
- Participated in field trips aligned with coursework to broaden knowledge base.
- Assisted in event planning and budget management within university society committee.
Pine DesignEdinburgh, Edinburgh
Business Owner
08.1981 - 08.1990
Job overview
- Trained and hired staff to optimize sales and marketing performance.
- Provided exceptional customer service through product advice and personalized recommendations.
- Developed marketing and promotional strategies that significantly increased business revenue.
- Oversaw financial operations including budget planning, expense tracking, and forecasting accuracy.
- Ensured accurate record-keeping for inventory, income, and operational expenses.
- Managed supplier relationships to secure timely availability of high-demand products.
- Engaged with external consultants for strategic insights on business improvements.
- Addressed customer complaints effectively, converting challenges into positive resolutions.
The Reject ShopKnightsbridge, London
Stores General Manager
03.1979 - 04.1981
Job overview
- Established company targets based on past performance and future forecasts.
- Cultivated robust relationships with stakeholders, including investors and regulatory bodies.
- Managed financial budgets, forecasting, and reporting for sustainability.
- Oversaw expense control and resource allocation to meet budgetary goals.
- Built a successful leadership team through the selection and mentoring of senior staff.
- Guided operations to ensure alignment with strategic targets and forecasts.
- Directed successful marketing initiatives, boosting brand visibility significantly.
- Led a workforce of over 50 employees, fostering professionalism and collaboration.
John Menzies Retail DivisionLondon, London
Senior Store General Manager
03.1977 - 02.1979
Job overview
- Oversaw operations for three John Menzies Superstores, managing macro area budgets and marketing strategies.
- Led hiring processes for all senior managerial staff, ensuring recruitment of top talent.
- Developed and implemented training modules for senior managers to enhance leadership capabilities.
- Analyzed operational issues, identifying problems and providing actionable solutions.
- Fostered team cohesion through participation in team-building activities.
- Trained and mentored employees to drive performance improvements across teams.
- Utilized strong planning and coordination skills to meet established schedules.
- Enhanced communication strategies for effective team meetings and information sharing.
Commercial RecordingsLondon, London
General Manager
04.1974 - 02.1977
Job overview
- Managed daily operations while enforcing strict adherence to quality standards.
- Established and mentored senior staff, fostering a high-performing leadership team.
- Spearheaded operational improvements that reduced costs and enhanced efficiency.
- Tracked operations to align processes with targets and forecasts.
- Negotiated supplier contracts, securing favourable terms for cost savings.
- Cultivated robust relationships with stakeholders, including investors and regulatory bodies.
- Coordinated efforts across teams to exceed project delivery expectations.
- Represented operations at board meetings and public events to advocate for business interests.
HMV London, London
Record Store Manager
01.1971 - 03.1974
Job overview
- Streamlined operational procedures, reducing administrative task time and improving efficiency.
- Managed store operations, focusing on stock levels, staffing, and customer service excellence.
- Monitored competitor activity to adapt strategies for maintaining market competitiveness.
- Implemented effective inventory management practices to reduce stock loss.
- Coached team members on upselling techniques, leading to increased transaction value.
- Established budgets for projects, controlling costs effectively.
- Collaborated with HR for recruitment and training of high-performing staff.
- Coordinated promotional events to attract customers and promote new products.
Education
University of EdinburghEdinburgh
from History/English Literature
1994
University Overview
- [Degree] Sadly, due to divorce proceedings and family access and financial considerations I had to withdraw from the course, but with an open ended formal offer of a place in future to complete the course to graduation.
Strathbungo Grammar SchoolGlasgow
Highers in English, History, Modern History. O lev from 11 plus education
1970
Skills
- Team leadership
- Service delivery
- Sales strategy
- Market analysis
- Negotiation techniques
- Customer engagement
- Strategic planning
- Communication skills
- Problem-solving
- Active listening
- Leadership
- Team building
- Team leadership and motivation
- Commitment to excellence
- Public speaking
- Analytical and critical thinking
- Task collaboration
- Project planning and coordination
Hobbies and interests
- Main interests, Creative Writing, Leading Literature critique groups, Literature, Politics, Modern and Natural Philosophy, carpentry, riding, dinghy sailing .
Timeline
Small Hotel Owner
Kirkview House
10.2017 - Current
Business Development Consultant
Self Employed
10.2010 - 11.2017
Estate Agent Senior Associate
Remax Leith
03.2004 - 09.2009
Business Owner
Pine Design
03.1995 - 03.2003
Student
University of Edinburgh
08.1992 - 07.1994
Business Owner
Pine Design
08.1981 - 08.1990
Stores General Manager
The Reject Shop
03.1979 - 04.1981
Senior Store General Manager
John Menzies Retail Division
03.1977 - 02.1979
General Manager
Commercial Recordings
04.1974 - 02.1977
Record Store Manager
HMV
01.1971 - 03.1974
University of Edinburgh
from History/English Literature
Strathbungo Grammar School
Highers in English, History, Modern History. O lev from 11 plus education