Michael Dickinson
Manchester,Greater Manchester
Summary
Accomplished Commercial Director with extensive experience in strategic planning, business development, and financial negotiation. Proven track record of building profitable business partnerships and cultivating long-term client relationships to drive revenue growth. Successfully led commercial teams to enhance performance and market share, while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Demonstrated expertise in managing branch operations, recruiting and developing talent, and optimising sales strategies across multiple regions. Career goal: to leverage strategic leadership skills to further expand business opportunities and foster sustainable growth.
Overview
1
1
Certification
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
Commercial Director
Cubic Facades Ltd
United Kingdom
06.2022 - 06.2026
- Built new business partnerships to drive customer acquisition and generate revenue.
- Offered commercial advice and support to internal stakeholders, enhancing profitable supplier performance.
- Cultivated long-term relationships with key clients, securing repeat business and fostering loyalty.
- Oversaw the recruitment, training, and development of commercial team members to foster a high-performance culture.
- Negotiated favourable payment terms with vendors, improving cash flow and financial stability.
- Led strategic planning and execution of commercial activities to drive business growth and market share.
- Cubic increased turnover in 4 years from 2.5m to 15m.
Regional Director
VIVALDA
Manchester/Ireland/Birmingham
05.2017 - 05.2022
- Recruited branch managers for all three branches within hiring timelines.
- Applied sales experience to support teams and assist with sales improvement.
- VIVALDA Ireland was set up as a Branch and soon established as the largest fabricator of facade materials in Ireland.
Branch Manager
VIVALDA Ltd
North West England
02.2009 - 04.2017
- Established Manchester branch from inception, including setup, staffing, and operations.
- Expanded branch operations, becoming largest facade materials fabricator and distributor within three years. Turnover was 6.5m in 2018.
- Managed daily operations of branch, overseeing staff performance and customer service standards.
- Maintained high levels of customer satisfaction through exceptional service and prompt resolution of complaints.
- Conducted regular staff meetings to communicate targets, performance expectations, and company updates.
Northern Divisional Director
FGF Limited
Mcr/Leeds/Birmingham/Peterborough
10.2008 - 01.2009
- Improved BDD delivery clarity by maintaining focused scope with fewer branches.
- Monitored staff performance and developed improvement plans.
- Managed customer service operations, resolving issues promptly to maintain high satisfaction levels.
Business Development Director
FGF Limited
United Kingdom
01.2008 - 09.2008
- Worked with eight branch managers to support turnover and profitability improvement efforts.
- Selected, trained and performance-managed staff to handle high workload with ambitious targets.
- Identified and seized new business opportunities, growing high-profile client portfolios.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and process optimisation within the team.
- Developed profitable new business partnerships to enhance brand reach and growth capabilities.
- Completed full onboarding processes for new clients, building and nurturing positive professional relationships.
Branch Manager
FGF Limited
Manchester
12.1997 - 12.2007
- Managed daily branch operations, coordinating workflows and maintaining service standards.
- Maintained customer satisfaction by resolving complaints promptly and professionally.
- Conduct regular staff meetings for targets, performance expectations, and project updates.
- Turnover went from 2m in 1997 to 13.5m in 2007.
- Increased branch turnover and profitability through operational performance improvements and oversight.
- Managed up to forty employees, coordinating daily operations and performance.
Sales Executive
Sig PLC
Burscough
01.1996 - 11.1997
- Supported same role as employed at SIG Manchester, ensuring consistent daily coverage.
Business Development Manager
Sig PLC
Dublin
01.1995 - 12.1995
- Developed business plans to establish revenue and growth.
- Planned and developed winning strategies to increase sales, expand territories and boost market positioning.
- Built new business partnerships to drive customer acquisition and generate revenue.
- Negotiated contracts with new clients, securing profitable deals and expanding the company's client base.
- Managed escalated client enquiries with exceptional professionalism and enthusiasm to maintain trust and reliability.
- Optimised sales methods to best acquire, develop and retain customers.
- Fostered long-term relationships with key clients, suppliers, and partners to support business objectives.
Sales Executive
Sig PLC
Manchester
09.1992 - 12.1994
- Managed customer relationships through consultative sales techniques to attain individual sales goals.
- Achieved company targets by implementing successful sales strategies.
- Resolved customer issues and complaints with quick-thinking problem-solving.
- Built exceptional customer satisfaction by delivering friendly service.
- Consistently achieved or surpassed sales targets.
- Provided accurate quotes and price information to inform customer decision-making.
- Coordinated with internal teams, including product development and customer service, to meet client needs effectively.
Field Sales Representative
FGF Limited
Manchester
12.1991 - 08.1992
- Achieved and exceeded monthly sales targets through effective planning and execution.
- Developed and maintained relationships with new and existing clients to increase sales revenue.
- Maintained customer relationships through excellent after-sales support, increasing brand loyalty and repeat business.
- Resolved customer issues promptly, maintaining a positive company image and customer relationships.
- Documented orders and coordinated deliveries, taking into account customer requests.
- Created sales and revenue-generating opportunities in new markets to improve profit margins.
Sales Office Manager
FGF Limited
Manchester
01.1989 - 11.1991
- Managed telephone and switchboard operations for timely call handling.
- Organised training to teach new office workers in processes and important policies.
- Completed regular performance reviews and advised employees on potential improvements.
- Assessed staff capacity to maximise office productivity levels.
- Maintained team harmony by resolving grievances and assisting with conflicts.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers and vendors, securing favourable terms and pricing.
Internal Sales
FGF Limited
Manchester
08.1987 - 12.1988
- Coordinate daily tasks with team members to align targets and priorities.
- Handle customer complaints using clear communication and step-by-step resolution.
- Engage customers, identify needs, and support consistent service delivery practices.
- Build and maintain courteous, effective working relationships with colleagues consistently.
- Price material enquiries, supporting accurate product and purchasing decision-making processes.
- Chase live enquiries to progress requests and secure next steps.
- Raise sales orders and track delivery progress to completion milestone.
Lifeguard
Stretford Sports Centre
08.1986 - 08.1987
- Stayed up-to-date on first aid and emergency best practices through training.
- Maintained customer safety and security through constant observation.
- Monitored swimming areas for safety violations, promptly addressing hazards to maintain a secure environment.
- Kept pool areas clear and tidy, ensuring regular cleaning to avoid risk of slips and trips.
- Performed maintenance tasks, including pool water testing, ensuring a clean, safe and accessible facility for patrons.
Education
All
Urmston Grammar School
ManchesterSkills
- Strategic planning
- Business development
- Financial negotiation
- Relationship management
Certification
- First aider
Hobbies and interests
- Football
- Golf
- Music
- Keeping fit
Timeline
Commercial Director
Cubic Facades Ltd
06.2022 - 06.2026
Regional Director
VIVALDA
05.2017 - 05.2022
Branch Manager
VIVALDA Ltd
02.2009 - 04.2017
Northern Divisional Director
FGF Limited
10.2008 - 01.2009
Business Development Director
FGF Limited
01.2008 - 09.2008
Branch Manager
FGF Limited
12.1997 - 12.2007
Sales Executive
Sig PLC
01.1996 - 11.1997
Business Development Manager
Sig PLC
01.1995 - 12.1995
Sales Executive
Sig PLC
09.1992 - 12.1994
Field Sales Representative
FGF Limited
12.1991 - 08.1992
Sales Office Manager
FGF Limited
01.1989 - 11.1991
Internal Sales
FGF Limited
08.1987 - 12.1988
Lifeguard
Stretford Sports Centre
08.1986 - 08.1987
All
Urmston Grammar School