LOUISE HUDDART
UK
Summary
Commercial leader with extensive experience driving revenue growth, commercial transformation and operational excellence across multi-channel consumer and service-based environments. Expert in developing insight-led commercial strategies, embedding CRM/BI-driven decision-making, and leading high-performing teams across sales, account management and commercial operations. Skilled in translating customer, market and performance data into pricing models, sector prioritisation and growth strategies. Proven track record delivering margin expansion, process improvement and scalable commercial operating models within complex, matrixed organisations.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Consulting Manager & Client Director
The Gap Partnership
2023.01 - 2025.11
- Lead negotiation and commercial transformation programmes for major FMCG, strategic B2B clients, including cultural change in commercial teams and performance frameworks.
- Delivered organisational change programmes embedding scalable, data-driven ways of working.
- Design commercial operations frameworks integrating sales, KAM, analytics, revenue operations and insight led customer segmentation & opportunity prioritization.
- Coach sales teams and improve negotiation capability, including key stakeholder management.
Negotiation Consultant
The Gap Partnership
2021.01 - 2023.01
- Delivered advanced negotiation programmes improving trading outcomes.
- Designed commercial toolkits for strategic planning and negotiation.
- Provided 1:1 coaching for senior commercial and national account leaders.
Commercial Director
L’Oréal UK & Ireland
London, England
2014.01 - 2020.01
- Built data-driven commercial strategies and forecasting models for £75M business unit, improving accuracy, visibility and execution across six channels, delivering 5% YOY growth.
- Owned strategic planning, forecasting and execution of annual commercial plans.
- Collaborated with marketing, finance, operations and supply chain to align market insights, customer data and cross-functional planning into cohesive commercial strategy.
- Managed senior-level retailer relationships across luxury, retail and multi-channel accounts.
- Implemented CRM and BI-driven performance models to enhance forecasting, revenue tracking, and opportunity pipelines. (Salesforce, Power Bi. SAP)
- Developed high-performing cross-functional commercial and education teams, including operational redesign and embedding new processes.
Commercial Manager – Luxury Brands
L’Oréal UKI
London, England
2012.01 - 2013.01
- Delivered £3.5M profit improvement by redesigning pricing models and channel strategy and optimizing both channel and e-commerce strategy based on customer, market and performance data.
- Developed high-value strategic partnerships, shifting relationships from transactional to insight-led, consultative B2B account development.
- Developed strong relationships with key partners, building sustainable, future proof contract agreements.
Commercial Development Manager
L’Oréal UKI
London, England
2011.01 - 2012.01
- Increased acquisition by 15% through commercial process improvements.
- Enhanced team capability and operational execution.
Commercial Manager – Matrix
L’Oréal UKI
London, England
2007.01 - 2010.01
- Managed £24M wholesale business with strong revenue and margin performance.
- Developed JBPs and strengthened sell-out strategies.
Regional Sales Manager / Key Account Manager
L’Oréal UKI
UKI
2000.01 - 2007.01
Education
BSc - Economics
University of Reading
ReadingSkills
- Strategic Sales Leadership
- Data Driven decision-making
- Digital/CRM/BI Adoption
- Brand Development
- Commercial Forecasting
- Sell-Through Analysis
- Commercial Operations
- Negotiation & Trading Terms
- Matrix Leadership
- Transformation Leadership
- Commercial Planning
- P&L Ownership
Certification
- The Complete Skilled Negotiator – TGP
- The Strategic Negotiator – TGP
- Transition to Team Management – Paris
- Transition to Advanced Management – Cranfield University
Accomplishments
- Led a £75M UKI commercial unit delivering consistent YoY growth and strong profitability.
- Built and led commercial and sales teams of 90+, strengthening talent pipelines and leadership capability.
- Enhanced retail partnerships across key UK retailers, improving category share and trading terms.
- Reduced inventory risk by improving seasonal forecasting and sell-through visibility.
- Collaborated effectively across EMEA and Global teams to align UK strategy with brand objectives.
Timeline
Consulting Manager & Client Director
The Gap Partnership
2023.01 - 2025.11
Negotiation Consultant
The Gap Partnership
2021.01 - 2023.01
Commercial Director
L’Oréal UK & Ireland
2014.01 - 2020.01
Commercial Manager – Luxury Brands
L’Oréal UKI
2012.01 - 2013.01
Commercial Development Manager
L’Oréal UKI
2011.01 - 2012.01
Commercial Manager – Matrix
L’Oréal UKI
2007.01 - 2010.01
Regional Sales Manager / Key Account Manager
L’Oréal UKI
2000.01 - 2007.01
BSc - Economics
University of Reading