MATT HARRISON
Rickmansworth,United Kingdom
Summary
A seasoned professional with expertise in luxury brand and category strategy development, procurement, and product design. Demonstrates proficiency in supplier contract drafting, commercial negotiation, and maximising profitability through strategic pricing and stock forecasting. Skilled in visual merchandising, showroom design, and exhibition planning. A motivational leader adept at sales support, training, and development. Committed to driving luxury sales growth through CRM excellence and new business development.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work history
Category Director
C.P. Hart Bathrooms
Waterloo
11.2018 - 01.2026
- Responsible for managing and developing C.P. Hart’s brassware, heating, showers and accessories categories, focusing on OEM and exclusive sales penetration and profitability.
- Managing £22m of annual product sales; 72% of all C.P. Hart branded product sales; 55% of all stock; with 30+ supplier accounts.
- Increasing profitability: increased exclusive product sales by +£3m (+135%); MPV +171%, margin +7% points, rebates +250% - best performing categories since 2018.
- Co-designed/developed multiple OEM products, including 2 award-winning brassware ranges; coordinating collection of brassware, accessories, marble console stand and heated towel rail; and ranges of classic and contemporary heated towel rails.
- Co-designed and project managed Dornbracht’s first in-house Design Studio with a budget of £100k (2021), and exhibition stands at Clerkenwell Design Week and HIX (both 2025).
- Enhanced supplier diversity, product sourcing and procurement, including exclusive and OEM product design and development.
- Improved profitability by developing innovative pricing strategies, increasing margins, MPV, rebates and supplier terms.
- Analysed market and internal sales trends to improve NPD decisions, optimise stock commitment, showroom displays and marketing focus.
- Improving sales tools: created internal price lists, brochures, training literature and internal marketing material.
- Partnered with Marketing to increase customer engagement through enhanced web presence and media campaigns, and developing strategies for product launches and company events, including Mini Milan, Clerkenwell Design Week, HIX, Oktoberfest and November Launch.
Travelling/Freelance
04.2017 - 08.2018
- I took the opportunity to invest in a period of travelling, mainly through the London Mountaineering Club, of which I am a committee member, as well as working on several personal projects whilst also working freelance.
Commercial Director
Aston Matthews Bathrooms
Islington
02.2015 - 04.2017
- Responsible for the development and management of all commercial strategies, including sales performance, customer service, e-commerce, marketing operations, brand development, merchandising, pricing, stock control, chain supply, showroom operations & design.
- Consistently achieved above target sales figures by developing the sales team, introducing KPIs, targets, personalised training, staff meetings and performance appraisals.
- Delivered rolling NPD strategy through a programme of own-brand product development, range extensions, quality enhancements, introducing new product categories, managing discontinuations, changing suppliers, and sourcing own brand packaging.
- Launched new products through a programme of CRM, advertising, web exposure, showroom displays, bespoke range brochures, and online technical specification sheets.
- Analysed and restructured the entire pricing strategy against own portfolio and competitor ranges.
- Increased e-commerce turnover by over 200% by adding dozens of missing products, special finish options, and an inspiration gallery to our website, enhanced with bespoke in-house photography.
- Created new marketing material, including national print adverts, newsletters, bespoke product brochures and mail drops, in addition to managing CRM, Houzz, and social media content.
- Enhanced the EPOS system to effectively introduce comprehensive, accurate and meaningful reporting on staff performance, product sales, supplier performance, profitability, and buying trends.
- One of the UK’s leading independent luxury bathroom retailers with a turnover of £4m+.
- Selected achievements:
Showroom Manager
C.P. Hart Bathrooms
Chelsea
06.2013 - 02.2015
- Spearheaded the inception and development of a new luxury showroom, combining C.P. Hart's luxury brand essence with cutting-edge technology, to create a working studio for architects and designers.
- Managed all showroom development and daily operations, applying in-depth knowledge of luxury branding and leadership skills to become the most successful branch opening, achieving £1.7m in sales in year 1.
- Developed a dedicated design consultation service for clients, complete with touch screen TV product library to create instant digital mood boards, and an extensive collection of samples and finishes, whilst showcasing only a limited number of luxury display products, in place of full room sets.
- The leading bathroom retailer for luxury bathrooms, tiles, furniture, accessories and lighting.
Freelance Designer
01.2012 - 07.2013
- Freelance bathroom designer, predominantly within London and the M25, with periods of flexible employment at C.P. Hart’s St. Albans and Guildford branches.
Sales Manager
Summit Furniture (Europe) Ltd
Chelsea Design Centre
04.2011 - 10.2011
- Clients included garden & landscape architects and designers, superyacht builders and owners, naval architects, yacht designers, and HNWI’s.
- Oversaw sales increase of 20%+; strengthened our penetration into the residential marketplace, and sharpened the commercial operations, including overhauling the EPOS and initialising a CRM system.
- Retailer of hand finished luxury exterior teak furniture t/o approximately £1.2m.
Showroom Manager
C.P. Hart Bathrooms
Primrose Hill
07.2003 - 04.2011
- Responsible for a 3-floor luxury designer bathroom showroom, leading a team of 4 sales designers. Turnover was made up of 30% retail and 70% trade, including designers, architects, contractors, property developers, and HNWI’s.
- Increased turnover by £800k through improved customer service, account management, and inspirational leadership.
- Achieved record figures and incremental sales growth for 3 successive years - first non-flagship showroom to achieve £2m net sales.
- Top sales performer over 6 successive years; consistently above target with regular orders of £100k+.
- Recruited, trained and developed a new sales team, increased staff retention, and lowered complaints through improved training & development.
- Successfully managed the inception of a new design service.
- Designed and specified luxury bathrooms for prestigious super-prime private residences in London and across the globe as well as collaborating with leading architects and designers on hotels, restaurants, and luxury yachts. Projects included the refurbishment of Woburn Abbey; Kensington Palace; Wotton House; The Landmark Hotel; The Cadogan Club; The Bishops Avenue.
- The leading bathroom retailer for luxury bathrooms, with a turnover of £2.4m
Education
Art, English Literature & History A-Levels
Marlborough School
St. Albans1990
Skills
- Luxury brand and category strategy development
- Procurement, NPD, product design & development
- Supplier contract drafting and commercial negotiation
- Maximising profitability: pricing and MPV strategy, stock forecasting, supplier rebate & marketing support negotiation
- Visual merchandising, showroom and exhibition design
- Motivational leader; sales support, training & development
- Luxury sales, CRM, account building and new business development
Accomplishments
"Best Bath Fixtures" award at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 for Park Lane brassware.
"Best Brassware" award from Living Etc. Awards 2023 for Epoch brassware.
Timeline
Category Director
C.P. Hart Bathrooms
11.2018 - 01.2026
Travelling/Freelance
04.2017 - 08.2018
Commercial Director
Aston Matthews Bathrooms
02.2015 - 04.2017
Showroom Manager
C.P. Hart Bathrooms
06.2013 - 02.2015
Freelance Designer
01.2012 - 07.2013
Sales Manager
Summit Furniture (Europe) Ltd
04.2011 - 10.2011
Showroom Manager
C.P. Hart Bathrooms
07.2003 - 04.2011
Art, English Literature & History A-Levels
Marlborough School