Nathan Leese
Seaton Delaval,Newcastle Upon Tyne
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in retail and online sales, specialising in luxury residential interiors. Demonstrates proficiency in Vectorworks, SketchUp, and CAD, complemented by a strong aesthetic sensibility and graphic design expertise. Adept at budgeting and cost estimation, with a client-centric approach that enhances customer satisfaction. Proven track record in retail space redesigning and textile sourcing, leveraging scripted and adaptive selling techniques to drive results. Committed to leadership development and team management, aiming to further excel in creating innovative design solutions.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
2018
2018
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Assistant Interior Designer
GILLIAN LEESE Interior Design
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
12.2014 - 09.2025
- During my role as assistant to the lead designer i would travel to design exhibitions in all over the country, i would organise schedules, provide my personal opinions, discuss costs and management. I made creative mood board samples of room designs, I measured, made digital plans using CAD and most importantly, tea.
Customer Sales Assistant
Nebula
Newcastle upon Tyne
02.2019 - 04.2019
- After over a month of long training, both individually and part as a team, equipped with all the skills and theory possibly required, my main duties were to promote and/or sell our clients' services and products. This took place at public events, promotional events and trade shows. Being involved with the events team lead to the opportunity to be the face of our clients brand. The skills learnt here have, and will continue to be invaluable.
Labourer
Persimmon Homes
Newcastle upon Tyne
08.2018 - 09.2018
- Simple, short term, freelance work on construction sites and homes. This included manual tasks such as heavy lifting, measuring, fitting, scaling, cutting, unpacking, cleaning and installation of homeware appliances.
High Ropes instructor/Counselor
URI Crane Lake Camp
West Stockbridge, USA
06.2018 - 08.2018
- 24/6 on camp supervision. Mornings with my group of kids, responsibilities of; getting them out of bed, making sure they are healthy, have breakfast, taking medication if required, have suncream on, are happy and social. Day work as ropes instructor/director on high ropes, low ropes and the zip line. Also included was a Director role similar to that of a manager where leadership skills were required to instruct and guide my team of fellow Ropes workers. Safety was a top priority but duties also included organising activities, games, making sure they went to sleep and responsibilities over trip days.
Cotterell & Co Employee
Lorraine Cotterell & Millar Hamilton
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
09.2020 - 04.2025
- Served as in-house interior designer for Scottish lighting and home interiors company.
Assisted clients in showroom, providing expert guidance on design choices.
Conducted site visits with manager to assess client needs and preferences.
Measured spaces and captured photographs to inform tailored design solutions.
Developed customised mood boards and specifications for each project.
Created digital 3D models to enhance client visualisation of proposed layouts.
Modified interior concepts and integrated various furnishings for client review.
Ensured alignment with client expectations throughout design process. - Transitioned company from paper-based operations to digital systems.
Provided IT support across Newcastle, Glasgow, and Edinburgh branches.
Enhanced company's SEO strategies through regular website updates.
Launched multiple email marketing campaigns that significantly increased customer acquisition. - Monitored daily emails and phone calls to ensure prompt responses.
Captured photos and videos of products for social media engagement.
Created sets and stories in showroom for effective visual marketing.
Posted content on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to enhance brand visibility. - Executed retail operations, selling home interior products in showroom, with helpfulness and efficiency.
- Warehouse work. Coordinated logistics for container arrivals while overseeing shipping and receiving activities
- Designed and manufactured bespoke lampshades in a custom-built studio.
Collaborated with clients to select sizes, shapes, and fabric choices.
Constructed design studio from scratch, pioneering in-house lampshade creation.
Crafted hundreds of unique lampshades, including complex one-metre, multi-layer designs.
Bespoke Lampshade Workshop lead designer
Lorraine Cotterell
Newcastle upon Tyne
03.2024 - 03.2025
- As an offshoot of my work from Cotterell and Co. I came up with the idea, (after many clients requested the service,) to set up and class, a workshop where i would teach and guide clients through the process of designer and creating their own bespoke lampshade.
- With my assistant Becky, who i taught the process to myself, (it is worth noting i taught many employees my process, from new hires, to even the management and owners of the company.) we marketed this service and set up a new studio after hours and separate from our Normal Job at Cotterell and co.
- Clients would book, come in, we'd have drinks and snacks, and talk about all the options. after and size and design had been chosen we would teach and assist them in making their own practical shade that they could then take home with them. Whole thing was a big success.
Education
High school education -
St Thomas More RC Academy
A levels - undefined
St Thomas More RC Sixth form
01.2015 - 01.2017
First year of Newcastle university for Classical studies - Classical studies
Newcastle University
01.2017 - 01.2018
Skills
- Retail and online sales
- Client-Centric approach
- Luxury residential interiors experience
- Budgeting and cost estimation
- Illustrator use
- Retail space redesigning
- Textile sourcing
- Aesthetic sensibility
- Scripted and adaptive selling
- CAD proficiency
- Graphic design expertise
- Counselling techniques
- Leadership development
- Team management
Qualifications Achieved
GCSE
- Art A*, English Literature B, RE A, Physics A, Graphics A, Geography A, Biology A, English Language A, Chemistry B
AS Level
- Fine Art A*, Graphic Products A*, English Literature B, Business Studies C
A Level
- Fine Art A, Graphic Products A, English Literature B
Timeline
Bespoke Lampshade Workshop lead designer
Lorraine Cotterell
03.2024 - 03.2025
Cotterell & Co Employee
Lorraine Cotterell & Millar Hamilton
09.2020 - 04.2025
Customer Sales Assistant
Nebula
02.2019 - 04.2019
Labourer
Persimmon Homes
08.2018 - 09.2018
High Ropes instructor/Counselor
URI Crane Lake Camp
06.2018 - 08.2018
First year of Newcastle university for Classical studies - Classical studies
Newcastle University
01.2017 - 01.2018
A levels - undefined
St Thomas More RC Sixth form
01.2015 - 01.2017
Assistant Interior Designer
GILLIAN LEESE Interior Design
12.2014 - 09.2025
High school education -
St Thomas More RC Academy
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