Neil Stewart
Basildon,Essex
Summary
Dynamic and results-driven professional with extensive expertise in retail management, e-commerce, and digital media. Demonstrates exceptional leadership competence and commercial acumen, effectively managing staff and driving business success. Highly skilled in customer service, complaint resolution, and sales promotion techniques, with a proven track record in enhancing customer relations management. Proficient in Shopify, WordPress, and Adobe Creative Suite, leveraging advanced computer and IT skills to optimise online platforms. Adept at utilising communications software such as HubSpot for large-scale promotions and media management. Career goals include further advancing e-commerce strategies to drive growth and innovation within the industry.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work history
Ecommerce and Marketing and Merchandise Manager
GRS Roadstone Ltd
Chelmsford, Essex
2025.06 - Current
- Ensured adherence to health and safety regulations at all times.
- Facilitated staff training sessions, elevated team performance.
- Enhanced brand image by ensuring consistency across all merchandise displays.
- Executed promotional activities for increased merchandise sales.
- Coordinated merchandise deliveries to ensure smooth operations.
- Maintained detailed records of merchandise received and sold.
- Streamlined ordering processes to minimise supply chain disruptions.
- Implemented new eCommerce software to streamline purchasing processes.
- Created persuasive sales copy for product descriptions; boosted ecommerce conversions.
- Developed and executed digital marketing strategies for brand and product awareness, eCommerce sales and wholesale account support across all digital channels.
- Boosted online sales through strategic ecommerce initiatives.
- Facilitated smooth eCommerce transactions through efficient content management system.
- Set up payment and shipping terms within Shopify to ensure seamless eCommerce operations.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Digital Team Customer Service
Newsquest Media Group
2023.07 - 2025.05
- Answered customer questions through a variety of different platforms such as live chat, phone, letter and email.
- Used Piano System to locate and find specifications on product details and availability.
- Used HubSpot ticketing system for all communication.
- Assisted in the upselling of additional, upgrades or higher value products by communicating deals throughout conservations.
- IT and digital subscription Helpdesk for customers of over 200 digital newspaper titles
- Helped customers feel valued and appreciated by proactively going the extra mile to solve queries and complaints.
- Maintained excellent customer satisfaction by resolving issues, product difficulties, complaints and questions efficiently and effectively.
- Conducted general administration such as issuing refunds, responding to enquiries and answering external calls.
- Helped customers resolve difficulties using attentive listening skills and clever problem-solving.
- Developed empathetic client relationships and earned reputation for consistently exceeding sales goals.
Company Director
Sunshine Daze Media Group
2021.06 - 2023.09
- Joint owner of a not for profit dance music radio station
- Broadcasting on DAB across Essex
- Responsible for programming, software and graphic design
- Responsible for overseeing advertising and sponsorship
- Responsible for Social Media
- Responsible for Audio and Sound Design
- Responsible for Website Design and Maintenance
Self Employed Courier
Atlas Commercial Courier
2022.05 - 2023.05
- Self employed commercial courier
- Moving small to medium goods from business to business.
- Making sure the goods get to the customer in good time.
- Making sure to be happy, polite and courteous to both sender and receiver and professional at all times.
Director
Phytocan Ltd
2018.09 - 2022.08
- Harnessed market gaps by utilising innovative concepts and creative approaches, increasing year-end profits.
- Defined clear mission and vision to provide direction and purpose for organisation, supporting overall business plan.
- Oversaw budget to verify expenditures, assets and liabilities, maintaining low-costs with quality standards.
- Attended industry events, conferences and trade shows to promote products and network with business owners and prospective clients.
- Led organisation, established business direction and actualised operational plans to meet goals.
- Developed strategic plans based on market research and industry trends.
- Boosted customer base, acquiring new customers and identifying needs to deliver relevant products.
- Engaged with customers both face to face and online.
- Grew the business from a startup to profit making.
- Expanded the retail shops
- Responsible for overseeing all areas of the business operations.
Managing Partner
Vape Inc Group
2012.02 - 2018.09
- Provided strategic advice to the board based on improvements required, opportunities and business trends.
- Managed financial affairs, including accounting, budgets, billings and reports.
- Managed business strategy, plan development, designing to increase turnover and profit.
- Effectively managed a business holding and employees and turning over £300,000 yearly.
- Oversaw hiring activities, including interviews, candidate selections and onboarding.
- Led and contributed to market and business development activities, identifying and pursuing new potential client services opportunities.
- Delivered high level of service to customers in effort to build upon future relationships.
- Oversaw the day to day running of a successful online enterprise and grew the business from a fledgling business to a business turning over a healthy profit.
- Redeveloped to website and social media from ground up, which took the company earnings from £3,000pm to £30,000pm growth in one year.
Company Owner
Dynamic-Designs
2004.06 - 2012.12
- Started the business from scratch with an idea
- Built the business to provide physical goods to the entertainment music and film industry.
- Oversaw the running and labour involved in the production of CDs and DVDs
- Pulled in new business from a variety of sources
- Increased production though purchase of equipment to keep up with demand
Co-Owner
Sunshine Daze Events
2003.06 - 2009.06
- Ran nightclub events
- Oversaw the promotion of big dance music events at a variety of London nightclubs
- Responsible for ensuring the event went as planned
- Responsible for ensuring the safety of our guests
Customer Finance
EE (formaly One2One/T-Mobile)
2000.05 - 2003.07
- Resolved customer queries and problems using effective communication and providing step-by-step solutions.
- Demonstrated outstanding product knowledge to achieve high customer satisfaction levels.
- Handled customer concerns and escalated major issues to supervisor.
- Actively listened to customers to fully understand requests and address concerns.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Dealt with customers financial issues
Bar Supervisor & Stock Control Manager
Camden Palace (aka KoKo)
1997.11 - 2000.03
- Maintained facility compliance with health codes, sanitation requirements and licence regulations.
- Maintained brand image by keeping neat personal appearance.
- Optimised customer experience, serving each guest with sincere, positive and enthusiastic attitude.
- Mixed drinks and served wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages for multiple guests simultaneously.
- Uphold high standard of cleanliness in all work areas to comply with health and safety regulations.
- Kept detailed inventories of supplies, ensuring bar areas were strategically stocked to maintain efficient workflow.
- Processed cash, credit card and voucher payments to fast track process.
- Cleared tables, wiped countertops and disposed trash to maintain sanitation standards.
- Made product recommendations to customers based on preferences.
- Washed and rinsed glasses, plates and utensils to maintain hygiene standards.
- Inputed orders into POS system quickly and accurately during peak periods.
- Conducted regular counts of bar stock, promptly ordering low-stocked supplies.
- Oversaw the ordering of products for the club from suppliers and managed stock control
Education
Higher National Diploma - Computer Science
Oaklands College
Borehamwood, HertfordshireGCSE - Computer Science, Maths, English Language, English Literature, Combined Science, French, German, History, Geography
Chancellors School
Brookmans Park, HertfordshireCIS Diploma - Computer Programming, Dreamweaver, Webdesign
CIS Web Design
Kingston-Upon-ThamesSkills
- Managing Staff
- Running a business
- Professional Driving
- Retail Management
- Stock Control
- Customer Service Skills
- Computer and IT Skills to a high level
- Ecommerce - Highly Skilled
- Shopify & Wordpress Expert
- Social Media
- Graphic Design (Photoshop)
- Audio Design (Adobe Audition)
- Video Production/Editing
- Communications Software including HubSpot
- Media and Radio Management
- Related Skills
- Large Scale Promotions
- Telesales techniques
- Salesforce CRM
- Microsoft Office
- Complaint resolution
- Sales expertise
- Customer service expert
- Shipping and receiving
- Call centre experience
- SQL programming
- Web Design
- Sales promotion techniques
- Product selection
- Presentation design and delivery
- Customer relations management
- E-Commerce platform expertise
- Leadership competence
- Order processing
- Commercial acumen
- Trend awareness
- Customer service-oriented
- Adobe Creative Suite
INTERESTS
Music, Badminton, Football, Gardening, Woodwork, Travelling, Computing, Film, Cars, World Cuisine, Ecommerce, Event Promotion, Audio & Sound Design, Music Production, Learning Languages
Accomplishments
- I have successfully started and grown 3 businesses from startup
- I have successfully grown a business that I was brought into specifically to increase revenue and profitability.
- Successfully applied for and won a commercial radio broadcast licence from OFCOM to launch a dance music radio station on DAB
- Set up a Not For Profit company with a view to helping the local community
- Accomplished is self taught skills mainly involving computers and I.T.
- Skilled in Social Media, Website and Graphic Design
- Generally skilled in all areas of I.T and computing.
- Supplied music and entertainment to thousands of people at events
Affiliations
- Music
- DJ and Music Production
- Badminton
- Football
- Ice Skating
- Walking my Dog
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Ecommerce and Marketing and Merchandise Manager
GRS Roadstone Ltd
2025.06 - Current
Digital Team Customer Service
Newsquest Media Group
2023.07 - 2025.05
Self Employed Courier
Atlas Commercial Courier
2022.05 - 2023.05
Company Director
Sunshine Daze Media Group
2021.06 - 2023.09
Director
Phytocan Ltd
2018.09 - 2022.08
Managing Partner
Vape Inc Group
2012.02 - 2018.09
Company Owner
Dynamic-Designs
2004.06 - 2012.12
Co-Owner
Sunshine Daze Events
2003.06 - 2009.06
Customer Finance
EE (formaly One2One/T-Mobile)
2000.05 - 2003.07
Bar Supervisor & Stock Control Manager
Camden Palace (aka KoKo)
1997.11 - 2000.03
GCSE - Computer Science, Maths, English Language, English Literature, Combined Science, French, German, History, Geography
Chancellors School
CIS Diploma - Computer Programming, Dreamweaver, Webdesign
CIS Web Design
Higher National Diploma - Computer Science
Oaklands College