Neil Hulme
Altrincham
Summary
Having been self-employed as an actor, employed by several large companies and by owning my own business, I have developed resourceful and driven professional skills which are relevant to most working environments. I am a strong team player and also have great initiative and competence to work unassisted. I am organised and have a fair and methodical approach that helps in both my personal and working life. I have a passion and proven ability for building relationships and providing the best in all aspects of customer experience, both internally and externally.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work history
Showroom Manager
Tom Howley
Altrincham, Greater Manchester
2025.02 - Current
- Demonstrate kitchen products and answer questions from prospective clients who visit the showroom.
- Managed showroom operations efficiently, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Educated customers about quality and value of company products.
- Oversaw maintenance and cleaning tasks regularly to maintain a presentable showroom at all times.
- Support designers with their client presentations and paperwork.
- Report to Sales Manager on weekly basis with showroom orders activity.
- Work closely with our marketing team both to organise local events and to record and measure all showroom statistics, such as footfall.
- Coordinated effectively between different departments for seamless business operations.
Director
Lanigan & Hulme
Manchester, Greater Manchester
2017.08 - Current
- Along with my business partner, I created, designed, branded and launched a boutique menswear store in Manchester city centre where we specialise in high-end British and Irish clothing, footwear and accessories.
- We stock worldwide known brands such as Hackett, Crombie, Sunspel, Harris Tweed, Grenson and Barker
- Since opening we have designed and developed our own brand of clothing made sustainably in Manchester, Ireland and Scotland
- Due to demand we have also introduced a Womenswear collection and a Childrenswear collection including footwear and accessories.
- I also designed and created a website to compliment the business www.laniganandhulme.com.
Showroom Manager
Sofas & Stuff
Manchester, Greater Manchester
2021.10 - 2025.02
- Use outstanding sales and service skills to grow monthly showroom profits, achieving and exceeding company KPIs.
- Recruited and trained high-performing sales staff to provide faultless service and aftercare.
- Analyse sales data to identify trends and adjust strategies for increasing revenue.
- Manage end-to-end sales journey, putting customer wants and needs at the forefront to achieve desired outcomes.
- Enhance Customer experience through building relationships within the showroom environment and on home consultations.
- Designed bespoke sofas, chairs, footstools and beds for trade and retail customers using software such as Picture Forge and Canva.
- Manage showroom operations, overseeing daily activities to maximise efficiency and sales performance.
- Improved staff's selling and customer service interaction with consumers to optimise and sustain sales performance and customer satisfaction.
- Handling customer complaints, offering swift resolutions that maintained high levels of satisfaction.
- Coordinating the display of merchandise, ensuring attractive presentation to stimulate buyer interest.
- Collaborating with the marketing team to create effective advertising campaigns targeting local demographics.
- Implementing promotional events and product launches, significantly boosting foot traffic and sales.
Sales & Showroom Manager
Arlo & Jacob
London, Greater London
2013.11 - 2019.05
- Assisted in the creation of a new brand of designer sofa showroom, from concept to launch
- I was brought in and re-located to London to manage the showroom, sales and customer service departments of this new business
- I was then asked to return and work for them as a Consultant to help expand the number of showrooms into Bristol, Harrogate, and Marlow, implementing business systems, practices, values and staff training
- Set, met and exceeded sales goals and KPIs
- Recruited, coached and developed staff through training, mentoring and leading by example
- Provided the utmost in customer service, enhancing the customer's full experience from initial contact to after sale care
- Analysed and reported data to Directors to enable growth and development of the business
- Set and met all expected showroom standards including Visual Merchandising, housekeeping and compliance, whilst adhering to all legal health and safety procedures
- Took ownership of all customer and staff issues as they arose and dealt with them appropriately in a timely manner
- Pro-actively controlled and managed all existing and potential customer data understanding the local market and competition
- Worked closely with all departments to develop product, digital interaction and to keep a good knowledge of the market and competition
Gallery manager
Whitewall Galleries
Manchester, Greater Manchester
2009.06 - 2013.11
- Managing and working with a team of up to 10 Art Consultants in a luxury commercial contemporary fine art store
- Working in galleries including, Manchester, Chester, Knutsford and London
- Achieved and exceeded objectives and targets, leading by example with the appropriate behaviors and impeccable standards
- Coached, developed and regularly reviewed my team, managing all sales and KPI performance, compliance and HR-related processes in a timely manner
- Worked as a team, building strong business relationships both internally and externally
- Created an environment where the customer experience was key to driving day to day sales and repeat business
- Proactively sought business opportunities through daily use of CRM systems and positive communication
- Compliance with all Operational Procedures and Policies, Health and Safety procedures and HR policies as determined by the business
- Created, organised and hosted events held at the gallery for the world's best-selling artists often in conjunction with other local businesses in the community
Professional Actor
Self Employed
1998.06 - 2008.04
- I was self-employed as a professional actor and had various roles including parts in West End musicals, numerous tours, plus radio and television appearances, including Pageant, Grease, Songs For A New World, Anyone Can Whistle, and Sondheim a Celebration
- This has helped me gain confidence in any situation and has provided me with the tools to adapt in any form of business situation, especially customer service and personnel
- I also have stage management experience which gives me great logistical and organisation skills.
Education
10 GCSEs -
Standish High School
Wigan 09/1987 - 06/1992
4 A-Levels -
Winstanley College
Wigan 09/1992 - 06/1995
Higher National Diploma - Acting & Musical Theatre
Guildford School of Acting
Guildford 09/1995 - 06/1998
Skills
- Sales and customer service management
- Customer experience optimization
- Employee relations and training
- Team motivation strategies
- Retail showroom oversight
- Business performance analysis
- Luxury goods sales expertise
- KPI analysis
Affiliations
- Theatre
- Travelling
- Cinema
- Reading
Travelling
During the dates of May 2008 and May 2009 I went travelling visiting countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and Australia.
Timeline
Showroom Manager
Tom Howley
2025.02 - Current
Showroom Manager
Sofas & Stuff
2021.10 - 2025.02
Director
Lanigan & Hulme
2017.08 - Current
Sales & Showroom Manager
Arlo & Jacob
2013.11 - 2019.05
Gallery manager
Whitewall Galleries
2009.06 - 2013.11
Professional Actor
Self Employed
1998.06 - 2008.04
10 GCSEs -
Standish High School
09/1987 - 06/1992
4 A-Levels -
Winstanley College
09/1992 - 06/1995
Higher National Diploma - Acting & Musical Theatre
Guildford School of Acting
09/1995 - 06/1998