Neil McGrath
Newry,Newry Mourne and Down
Summary
Dynamic professional with a robust skill set encompassing effective communication, collaboration, and information technology expertise.
Skilled photographer with a strong creative vision and a proven track record of delivering high-quality images. Demonstrated reliability in meeting deadlines and exceeding client expectations. Expertise in various photography styles, including portrait, landscape, and event photography. Committed to continuous improvement and staying updated with industry trends. Proficient in editing suites and lighting techniques, cultivating rapport with both new and established clients.
Demonstrates proficiency in photography, health and safety compliance, and manual handling procedures. Excels in customer care and support, complaint resolution, and EPOS systems proficiency. Skilled in sales promotion strategies, target achievement, event management, order processing efficiency, upselling techniques, inventory management, and client relationship building. Driven by a positive mindset and self-motivation to achieve career goals while fostering strong client relationships.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Customer sales assistant
Pet Connection
Newry, Newry Mourne and Down
07.2022 - Current
- Increased customer satisfaction by resolving complaints promptly.
- Built enduring relationships with clients through dedicated service.
- Leveraged product knowledge to deliver tailored recommendations, boosting sales opportunities.
- Operated cash registers with precision, handling various payment methods.
- Designed impactful sales presentations, earning consistent recognition from management.
- Developed shop floor layouts to optimise customer flow and minimise waiting times.
- Managed stock levels effectively, ensuring seamless store operations, communicating with 8 suppliers weekly, assuring a friendly, understanding and reassuring connection.
- Promoted loyalty schemes at checkout to enhance customer retention.
Self Employed
Capture Cult
06.2010 - 07.2025
- Delivered professional photography services across diverse styles and occasions, including school graduation photographs for Brémore Educate Together organising over 100 students efficiently, keeping clear instructions and friendly attitude.
- Executed wedding, studio, family, pet, and landscape photography to fulfil client requirements. Creating studio setups and on location photography, creating beautiful memories for those involved.
- Performed image restoration and editing to enhance photographs' visual appeal.
- Created bespoke montages tailored to individual client requests, ensuring uniqueness.
- Consulted with clients to guide informed decisions regarding shoot themes and styles.
- Utilised advanced lighting techniques to produce striking images.
- Captured candid moments that preserved authenticity of events and emotions.
- Maintained creative portfolio that attracted prospective clients.
Casino supervisor
Vegas Casino
Newry, Newry Mourne and Down
07.2018 - 06.2022
- Trained new staff on casino policies and procedures, ensuring adherence to high standards.
- Resolved customer complaints, enhancing satisfaction and fostering loyalty.
- Conducted regular audits of gaming equipment to guarantee fairness in play.
- Encouraged responsible gambling behaviour among patrons, promoting a healthy environment.
- Organised and executed promotional events to boost product awareness.
- Supervised cash handling processes, maintaining strict integrity throughout operations.
- Facilitated seamless gaming experiences by promptly addressing technical issues.
- Reviewed surveillance footage regularly to ensure security against potential threats.
Sales assistant
Mothercare
newry, Newry Mourne and Down
11.2016 - 09.2018
- Trained new staff members, fostering a supportive working environment.
- Utilised excellent communication skills to provide detailed product information.
- Maintained knowledge of current sales promotions helping customers make informed buying decisions.
- Monitored trends in consumer behaviour with keen attention to detail.
- Provided valuable support for successful company events and meetings.
Photography studio manager
Pixifoto
Bangor, Ards and North Down
09.2013 - 11.2016
- Managed Bangor store, ensuring operations ran smoothly, organising promotional events out of studio locations to promote new business, themed set ups to encourage the target audience and upsell presale loyalty photoshoots. Organising which staff would promote and which would stay at the studio to assure that business was clockwork.
- Trained and supervised a small team to enhance productivity. Using acronyms to try simplify photography methods to be sure company policies and procedures are being followed.
- Utilised various advertising channels, including social media and client referrals.
- Promoted photography services to drive business growth and create unique experiences.
- Designed personalised services, delivering professional images tailored to client preferences.
- Employed editing software to produce distinctive photograph sets efficiently.
- Guided customers through image packages, strengthening relationships.
- Maintained customer engagement, increasing conversion rates from prospects to buyers.
- Enforced safety regulations to reduce workplace accidents, keeping the studio tidy, using correct signage and being sure the correct forms had been filled out.
- Led performance reviews, identified areas for improvement.
- Delegated tasks efficiently to maximise productivity.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients to secure repeat business.
Customer Care
Teleperformance NHS
11.2011 - 11.2015
- In the National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) department, I book appointments, find appropriate locations/ venues for donors to attend, and give appropriate advice to assure that they have a pleasant, smooth experience donating blood.
- I use computer programmes to provide donors with accurate information.
- I also refer customers who require advice from medically trained professionals.
- I deal with complaints and/or feedback in a reassuring, understanding and empathetic manner.
- Information is under the strictest of confidence, clearly noted and responded to in a suitable manner to the donor's satisfaction.
- I utilise opportunities to promote this service via other media platforms; dealing with queries via administration and social media.
- My competence with the systems and call handling methods allow me to guide colleagues with difficult queries and help them to navigate the database.
- This increases staff understanding of the system, and assists in handling awkward or difficult calls.
- I also advise staff on ways to meet targets (call length, quality of service, kpi etc).
- Reason for leaving – To pursue work in photography.
Assistant Manager
Boyles Bingo
05.2002 - 11.2011
- I provided a polite, high standard of service toward customers.
- Exchanged money, cleaned the hall, sold books/tickets and called numbers.
- When promoted to assistant manager, I was entrusted to complete paperwork, assign duties to staff and deal professionally with complaints.
- I was responsible for open and close of the premises, always being sure of health and safety for both staff and customers.
- Reason for leaving- Professional development.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Education & Media
Liverpool Hope University
Liverpool 09.2007 - 06.2010
National Diploma - Media
Newry Institute of Further and Higher
GCSEs - Art, Office Applications, English, Double Award Science, Maths
Newry High School
Skills
- Effective communication
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Information technology expertise
- Photography skills
- Health and safety compliance
- Manual handling procedures
- Customer care and support
- Complaint resolution
- EPOS systems proficiency
- Sales promotion strategies
- Target achievement
- Event management
- Order processing efficiency
- Upselling techniques
- Positive mindset
- Self-motivation and drive
- Inventory management
- Client relationship building
References
Frank Clarke, Pet Connection Owner, 028 3083 4858
Gerard Boyle, Vegas Casino Owner, 07771731673
Paul McDougal, Pixifoto Regional Manager, 07961509419
Affiliations
- Travel
- Photography
- Image enhancement & Photo-Restoration,
- Hiking
- Movies
- Music
Timeline
Customer sales assistant
Pet Connection
07.2022 - Current
Casino supervisor
Vegas Casino
07.2018 - 06.2022
Sales assistant
Mothercare
11.2016 - 09.2018
Photography studio manager
Pixifoto
09.2013 - 11.2016
Customer Care
Teleperformance NHS
11.2011 - 11.2015
Self Employed
Capture Cult
06.2010 - 07.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Education & Media
Liverpool Hope University
09.2007 - 06.2010
Assistant Manager
Boyles Bingo
05.2002 - 11.2011
National Diploma - Media
Newry Institute of Further and Higher
GCSEs - Art, Office Applications, English, Double Award Science, Maths
Newry High School
Similar Profiles
Jennifer MillerJennifer Miller
General Manager of 4 locations at Boss the pet ConnectionGeneral Manager of 4 locations at Boss the pet Connection
Kallie StewartKallie Stewart
Lead Animal Care (Med) Specialist at North Shore Pet ConnectionLead Animal Care (Med) Specialist at North Shore Pet Connection
Rosalix GarciaRosalix Garcia
Assistant Dog Handler at Chocolate Pet ConnectionAssistant Dog Handler at Chocolate Pet Connection
Ella DoranElla Doran
Associate in L&D Operations at First Derivative An EPAM CompanyAssociate in L&D Operations at First Derivative An EPAM Company
Nicole CunninghamNicole Cunningham
Independent Swimming Teacher at Nicole Cunningham (Self-Employed)Independent Swimming Teacher at Nicole Cunningham (Self-Employed)