Marcus Braybrook
Farnham,Surrey
Summary
A strong leader and strategic thinker with proven success in sales & marketing, accelerated business scaling, team management and business development. Knowledgeable about driving growth whilst enhancing profitability, performance marketing, and improving operational efficiency. Skills in e-commerce, wholesale, marketplaces, marketing, business strategy, international expansion and and financial planning.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Managing Director
The Watch Shop Holdings Ltd
Reading, Berkshire
01.2023 - 06.2024
- Introduced effective business strategies to improve efficiencies and return the business to profit, after being loss making for 4 years.
- Implemented a new commercial strategy to streamline workflow processes and enhancing productivity levels
- Executed a new commercial strategy, optimising purchasing, merchandising and stock management efficiencies
- Oversaw financial operations for fiscal control and profitability, reducing fixed overhead costs by 60%.
- Directed complex integration projects to successful completion; merging warehouse, fulfilment and after-sales functions into Group's existing operation.
- Cross selling via dropship mechanic across Group's retail and online platforms.
- Migration of marketplace partners to the Group (Next, Debenhams, Marks & Spencer and Amazon)
- Re-negotiated profitable contracts with existing key suppliers, and secured new luxury watch and jewellery brands to expand business opportunities and enhance business reputation
- Reduced stock holding, optimised brand portfolio, improved intake margins and reduced associated cost of sale
- Optimised digital performance marketing strategy by setting strict ROAS, CPA and engagement targets
- Results: The Watch Shop Holdings Ltd Gross Turnover: £24,7m v £28,4m (-13%), NPA: 41.8% v 35% (+19%), Variable Costs declined by -24%, Fixed Costs decreased by -62%, EBITDA = +£2,3m v -£782k (+401%)
Head of Watches, Jewellery & Eyewear
Frasers Group
London, City of London
09.2022 - 06.2024
- Developed and executed an elevation strategy for Watches, Jewellery and Eyewear
- Implemented strategy across 1,500 points of sale and online platforms (Flannels, Frasers, House of Fraser, Sports Direct, Brand Max)
- Directed buying, merchandising, brand line-up selection, annual and seasonal budgeting, reporting directly to C-Suite
- Established retail pricing strategy, balancing profitability with competitiveness. Watches & Jewellery Gross Sales = +104% £23,5m v £11,5m +104%, Profit Margin % = 49.6% v 24.9% (+99%), Contribution = £11,7m v £2,9m (+300%)
- Agreed exclusive ranges and product offerings, special take-all clearance packages with vendors.
- Analysed sales reports against conversion KPIs and key input metrics to inform merchandising strategies.
- Identified implemented trading strategies, selling through at full price and markdown to achieve closing stock targets.
- Managed in-season trading, balancing profit maximisation with risk management.
- Analysed sales trends to improve product availability and enhance profits..
- Developed inventory, sales and OTB plans to deliver on financial goals and KPIs.
- Introduced Gucci watches & fine jewellery, Tissot, Rado, Seiko, Hamilton, U-Boat, Baume & Mercier, Casio, Swarovski, Thomas Sabo, Ralph Lauren, Missoma and Maria Black
- Results: Watches & Jewellery Gross Sales = +104% £23,5m v £11,5m +104%, Profit Margin % = 49.6% v 24.9% (+99%), Contribution = £11,7m v £2,9m (+300%)
- Results: Luxury Sunglasses Gross Sales: +£9,2m v £3,3m (+180%), Profit Margin: 46.1% v 38.2% (+21%),
Managing Director
FASHION-SZN LTD
Leicester, Leicestershire
08.2024 - Current
- Appointed by FASHION-SZN, a start up fashion business to scale from £300k PA to turnover to £5m in 2 years.
- Responsible for the creation and implementation of International sales, distribution and marketing strategies, appointing partners and securing direct relationships with retailers.
- Grew UK website sales by 600% in 6 months.
- Secured UK marketplace partners in Debenhams, Boohoo, ASOS, Matalan and John Lewis in first 6 months.
- Launched Brand with Macy's, Nordstrom and Bloomingdales in the USA.
- Targeted operational inefficiencies to improve profit margins, including launching new stock management system, team infrastructure and buying systems and processes.
- Responsible for P&L, forecasting and cash flow.
- Drove digital transformation efforts, launching new website and direction of digital performance marketing strategies.
- Identified and resolved operational issues impacting productivity, performance or profitability.
- Spearheaded strategic planning and decision-making processes aligning with mission and stakeholder interests.
- Worked with board of directors to establish objectives and decisively lead operations to achieve international expansion and accelerated growth of business
Sales & Marketing Director
AFH Distribution & SWICO Ltd
Surrey
12.2018 - 09.2022
- Leading AFH Distribution's business in the UK, driving overall strategy, execution, operations and growth of its brand portfolio; Baume & Mercier, Maserati, Daniel Wellington, Paul Smith and Morellato. Full ownership & accountability of the direction and management of the wholesale operation and marketing division, including; performance marketing, OOH & print advertising, training, merchandising and curating incentive programmes. management of national accounts and key independent retailers, managing budgets, orders, replenishment and openings.
- Results: Watches & Jewellery Gross Sales = £7,1m v £1,5m (+373%), Profit Margin (+400%)
Global Marketing and Communications Director
RAYMOND WEIL S.A
London & Geneva
04.2013 - 05.2018
- Responsible for the global marketing strategy, including brand partnerships, sponsorship programmes & the creation of the global communications guidelines.
- Developed and executed omni-channel digital marketing (paid & organic)
- Built and launched global e-commerce website,
- Responsible for PR asset creation, outdoor and print advertising and tier 1 on-trade global retailer support.
- Developed the Global training platform & incentive programmes
- Organised global celebrity focused events and sponsorships (Official Timing Partner of The Manchester Arena, The O2 London, Birmingham NEC, The Staple Centre (USA), The SSE Hydro Glasgow and the Royal Albert Hall.
- Founded Raymond Weil's special edition product strategy, securing partnerships with The Beatles, AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Marshall, David Bowie, Frank Sinatra, Queen, Nicola Benedetti, Gibson Brands and Sennheiser.
- Directed key global markets, both subsidiary owned and distributor run, controlling marketing budgets, cash-flow forecasts and overseeing all marketing functions.
Senior Account Director
APR Communications
London
01.2005 - 04.2013
- Company Overview: One of London's most reputable luxury PR agencies.
- A senior partner within one of London's most reputable luxury PR agencies at the time. As the Director of luxury consumer brands division, responsibilities includes for all aspects of PR for; Canali, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss Watches, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, JM Weston, Raymond Weil, Grey Goose Vodka, Molton Brown and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Key responsibilities include Media relations, asset and press release creation, event management, budgets, communication calendars, managing celebrities, sponsorship activations (Formula 1, Cannes Film Festival, BAFTA Awards, The BRIT Awards, EJAF White Tie & Tiara Ball)
- One of London's most reputable luxury PR agencies.
Senior Account Manager- PR
Brower Lewis Pelham PR
London
01.2004 - 01.2005
Account Director - PR
Bryan Morel PR
London, London
01.2000 - 01.2004
Education
A-Level - Business studies, Mathematics, Sports Science
Hills Road Sixth Form College
Cambridge 09.1998 - 06.2001
Skills
- Business and Brand Positioning
- Digital Performance Marketing
- E-Commerce Sales
- Performance Metrics
- Opening New Accounts and Market Places
- Presentation Skills
- Sales & Marketing Development & Leadership
- Deal Closure
- Budgeting and Finance Analysis
- Restructuring
- Retail Buying
- Brand & Sponsorship Partnerships
- Media Relations
References
- Steve Brydon, General Manager - AFH Distribution Limited, +44 (0) 7774 947 166, Steve.Brydon@afhdistribution.co.uk
- Annabel McAvoy, Director - ANM Communications, +44 (0) 7889 771 847, Amcavoy@anmcomms.com
Timeline
Managing Director
FASHION-SZN LTD
08.2024 - Current
Managing Director
The Watch Shop Holdings Ltd
01.2023 - 06.2024
Head of Watches, Jewellery & Eyewear
Frasers Group
09.2022 - 06.2024
Sales & Marketing Director
AFH Distribution & SWICO Ltd
12.2018 - 09.2022
Global Marketing and Communications Director
RAYMOND WEIL S.A
04.2013 - 05.2018
Senior Account Director
APR Communications
01.2005 - 04.2013
Senior Account Manager- PR
Brower Lewis Pelham PR
01.2004 - 01.2005
Account Director - PR
Bryan Morel PR
01.2000 - 01.2004
A-Level - Business studies, Mathematics, Sports Science
Hills Road Sixth Form College
09.1998 - 06.2001
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