Murray Barlow
Southam,Warwickshire
Summary
A highly organised and resourceful professional with expertise in B2B sales, strategic planning, and team building. Demonstrates excellent verbal and written communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership qualities while thriving under pressure in challenging situations. Adept at working independently or collaboratively within a team framework, with a proven ability to adapt to changing environments and market contexts. Skilled in accounting, troubleshooting, and maintaining operational efficiency, complemented by a clean driving licence and no criminal convictions. Committed to continuous learning and professional development to drive success in dynamic business settings.
Overview
48
48
years of professional experience
1
1
year of post-secondary education
Work history
Area Field Manager
Fired Earth
2023.01 - 2025.10
- My main day to day duties is ensuring all the Fired Earth showrooms are kept up to date with all merchandising needs as well as helping customer services with all their tile and adhesive complaints, if I can’t resolve the problem from the pictures sent in by the customer, I will carry out a site visit at the customers address to resolve their problem. I am also the person customers services ask for technical advice on tiles and adhesives underfloor heating anything to do with Tiles.
- Company went into Administration.
Area Sales Manager
Abbey Tile Supplies
2020.11 - 2022.12
- Selling ranges of Wall Tiles, Floor Tiles, Mosaics, Adhesive & Grouts. Calling in to Tile & Bathroom Showrooms, Landscaping, Builders Merchants.
- Area Covered: North of M4 & The Thames
- Postcodes Covered: NR, IP, CO, PE, CB, SG, EN, E, LE, B, CV, LU, NN, MK, OX, HP, SL, CM, SS, IG, RM
Business Development Manager
Verona Group Ltd
2018.11 - 2020.10
- Achieved Target every month – delivering a sales budget of over £100.000 per month.
- Highest GP out of all BDMs
- Achieved maximum bonus.
- Made redundant in September 2020 while on Furlough.
- Route to market via independent Tile, Bathroom, Kitchen showrooms, Builders Merchants, Landscape companies, Garden Centres, promoting Verona’s range of Natural stone, Ceramic and Porcelain tiles, 2cm Porcelain tiles, Electric Underfloor heating, Tile backer boards.
- Consistently achieved monthly targets and increased area turnover.
- Area covered: South
- Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, East & West Sussex, Bristol, Kent, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Isle of Wight.
Area Sales Representative
Squarefoot Ceramics
2016.01 - 2018.01
- Area covered: Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire
Company Director
Slough Ceramics Ltd
2004.01 - 2016.01
- In 2004 the original owner asked if I was interested in taking on the showroom. His son had been running the showroom but decided he was more at home on sites laying tiles than selling them, so the showroom eventually closed. I decided to take a gamble and reopened the showroom in June 2004 I managed to turn the showroom into a nice profitable business.
Special Constable (Part Time)
Metropolitan Police
Uxbridge, Hayes, Ruislip
2004.01 - 2008.01
- Assured accurate record-keeping for legal proceedings.
- Conducted house-to-house enquiries after incidents, gathering crucial evidence.
- Maintained high level of fitness to perform duties effectively.
- Supported victims of crime, offering reassurance and advice where needed.
- Performed stop and search procedures when required, maintaining public safety.
- Demonstrated excellent teamwork skills whilst working alongside fellow constables and sergeants.
- Attended training sessions regularly, enhancing knowledge of policing methods.
- Responded to emergency calls for assistance, providing immediate help.
- Dealt promptly with anti-social behaviour cases, reducing community disturbances.
- Collaborated with full-time officers, sharing vital information about local issues.
- Managed traffic during public events, ensuring safety and smooth flow.
- Strengthened community relations by conducting regular foot patrols.
- Handled sensitive situations with understanding and professionalism, diffusing tensions.
- Patrolled assigned areas with a focus on preventing criminal activities.
- Provided statements in court for successful prosecution of offenders.
- Investigated minor crimes to support regular police force.
- Communicated effectively with members of the public during patrol duties.
- Assisted in crime prevention initiatives with local agencies.
- Acted as liaison between police and local community groups fostering trust relationships.
- Participated in arrest procedures to uphold law and order.
- Performed high-visibility foot and vehicle patrols across city centre to deter and detect criminals.
- Preserved evidence and crimes scenes to enable clear reporting and follow-up investigation.
Area Sales Manager
Pentagon Tile Distributors Ltd
1997.01 - 2004.01
- Area Covered: Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, East & West Sussex
Area Sales Representative
Spacers Ceramics Ltd
1994.01 - 1997.01
- Assisted in the development of annual sales budgets for cost efficiency.
- Utilised CRM software to track and analyse sales data efficiently.
- Travelled extensively throughout assigned region to meet clients personally.
- Fostered positive team environment with collaborative leadership style.
- Boosted company reputation by delivering exceptional customer service.
- Developed strong client relationships to ensure loyalty.
- Coordinated with marketing department to drive product awareness.
- Introduced effective sales techniques, increased close-rates significantly.
- Implemented promotional campaigns, boosted brand visibility.
- Sought out potential business partnerships, established beneficial alliances.
- Expanded customer base through proactive networking and relationship building.
- Maintained detailed records of client interactions for future reference.
- Identified opportunities for cross-selling and upselling, maximised revenue generation.
- Attended industry events for brand promotion and network expansion.
- Managed regional sales quotas for optimal performance.
Showroom Manager
Richmond Tile Centre
1991.01 - 1994.01
- Liaised regularly with head office to update on showroom progress.
- Negotiated deals successfully with suppliers and vendors.
- Resolved customer complaints in a timely manner, improving overall customer experience.
- Improved showroom aesthetics through regular layout changes and updates.
- Assisted customers personally during high traffic periods to ensure maximum satisfaction levels were met.
- Monitored competitor activities closely, adjusting strategies as necessary for competitive advantage.
- Handled inventory control with precision to prevent stock discrepancies.
- Oversaw maintenance and cleaning tasks regularly to maintain a presentable showroom at all times.
- Fostered a positive working environment, resulting in higher employee morale and productivity.
- Maintained accurate records of all transactions, ensuring transparency in dealings.
- Identified potential sales opportunities within the local area market, leading to increased footfall in the showroom.
Showroom Manager
Fulham Tile Centre
1988.01 - 1991.01
- (Tile & Natural Stone showroom)
Showroom Manager
Ceramic Centres HC Ltd
1985.01 - 1988.01
- Monitored competitor activities closely, adjusting strategies as necessary for competitive advantage.
- Developed marketing strategies for increased product visibility.
- Encouraged upselling techniques amongst staff members leading to an increase in average transaction value.
- Managed showroom operations efficiently, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Led team meetings daily to ensure smooth operations.
- Improved showroom aesthetics through regular layout changes and updates.
- Fostered a positive working environment, resulting in higher employee morale and productivity.
- Negotiated deals successfully with suppliers and vendors.
- Introduced new products effectively into the showroom line-up, attracting fresh clientele.
- Identified potential sales opportunities within the local area market, leading to increased footfall in the showroom.
Store Manager
A G Stanley Ltd (Fads)
1982.01 - 1985.01
- Slough High Street Store.
Shop Assistant
Ceramic Centres Ltd
1978.01 - 1982.01
- Collaborated effectively with team members during busy periods.
- Facilitated smooth checkouts with efficient bagging and wrapping practices.
- Upheld company policies whilst dealing with returns and exchanges.
- Handled cash register efficiently, ensuring accurate transactions.
- Communicated effectively with suppliers on delivery schedules, ensuring timely replenishments.
- Assisted in inventory counts, maintaining accurate records.
- Completed restocking swiftly post delivery arrival to ensure immediate product availability.
- Conducted price checks at request of customers for clear communication on cost.
- Coordinated closely with management on shop floor layouts and visual merchandising.
Education
MSC Foundation Course - Special Constabulary
Metropolitan Police
London 2003.08 - 2004.02
Certificate of Corporate Management - Business 6 Month Course
Harlow College
Essex 2002.01 - 2002.01
O-Level - Various subjects
Matthew Arnold Secondary School
Staines 1977.01 - 1977.01
Skills
- B2B Sales
- Computer Literate
- Highly organised
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Keen to learn and develop new skills
- Work well under pressure and in challenging situations
- Sociable, friendly, sense of humour, thrive within a team framework
- Working under my own initiative, either within or outside the structure of my employer’s organisation
- Ability to change, whether in a personal, employment or market context
- Clean Driving License
- No Criminal Convictions
- Problem-solving
- Communication skills
- Team building
- Calm under pressure
- Leadership
- Strategic planning
- Accounting
- [Type] troubleshooting
- Resourcefulness
Timeline
Area Field Manager
Fired Earth
2023.01 - 2025.10
Area Sales Manager
Abbey Tile Supplies
2020.11 - 2022.12
Business Development Manager
Verona Group Ltd
2018.11 - 2020.10
Area Sales Representative
Squarefoot Ceramics
2016.01 - 2018.01
Company Director
Slough Ceramics Ltd
2004.01 - 2016.01
Special Constable (Part Time)
Metropolitan Police
2004.01 - 2008.01
MSC Foundation Course - Special Constabulary
Metropolitan Police
2003.08 - 2004.02
Certificate of Corporate Management - Business 6 Month Course
Harlow College
2002.01 - 2002.01
Area Sales Manager
Pentagon Tile Distributors Ltd
1997.01 - 2004.01
Area Sales Representative
Spacers Ceramics Ltd
1994.01 - 1997.01
Showroom Manager
Richmond Tile Centre
1991.01 - 1994.01
Showroom Manager
Fulham Tile Centre
1988.01 - 1991.01
Showroom Manager
Ceramic Centres HC Ltd
1985.01 - 1988.01
Store Manager
A G Stanley Ltd (Fads)
1982.01 - 1985.01
Shop Assistant
Ceramic Centres Ltd
1978.01 - 1982.01
O-Level - Various subjects
Matthew Arnold Secondary School
1977.01 - 1977.01