NEIL THOMAS
Warwick
Summary
Results-driven Account Manager with 20+ years' experience across print, promotional merchandise, transport and e-commerce. Experienced in generating £1.7M+ annual revenue, managing blue-chip accounts, increasing account growth, delivering public sector and MOD contracts, and building long-term client relationships. Proven business developer, former business owner, and adaptable commercial professional with strong operational and relationship management expertise.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
National Account Manager
Johnson's Coaches
09.2025 - Current
- Increased revenue across multiple client accounts by up to 50% through proactive account development, relationship management, and identification of additional business opportunities.
- Foster trusted client relationships that extend beyond transactional account management, resulting in high levels of repeat business, customer loyalty, and long-term contract retention.
- Built and maintained strong long-term relationships with key stakeholders, meeting clients regularly to understand evolving requirements and enhance commercial partnerships.
- Managed portfolio of key commercial, education, and public sector accounts, including school transport contracts and Ministry of Defence transport requirements, ensuring alignment with client needs.
- Analyse account performance and customer requirements to identify opportunities for revenue growth, improved retention, and enhanced service delivery.
- Utilise tender and bidding platforms to identify, secure, and grow commercial opportunities, contributing to business growth and contract acquisition.
- Coordinated complex nationwide transport operations, ensuring efficient movement of passengers across the UK while upholding exceptional service delivery standards.
Business Owner
Golf Custom Shop
08.2020 - 03.2025
- Founded and scaled a high-growth e-commerce business specialising in personalised golf products, transforming a business concept into a recognised online retail brand.
- Directed commercial, operational, and marketing functions, driving sales strategy, customer acquisition, supply chain management, production, and financial performance.
- Led customer acquisition initiatives through SEO, digital marketing, product innovation, social media engagement, and conversion optimisation, delivering sustained revenue growth.
- Successfully fulfilled 20,000 customer orders within 12 months, establishing the business as one of the fastest-growing suppliers in its category on Etsy.
- Maintained profit and loss accountability, managing budgets, margins, supplier negotiations, and commercial decisions to maximise profitability.
- Built scalable operational processes covering procurement, inventory management, order fulfilment, quality control, and customer service.
- Identified market trends and customer demand, launching new products to strengthen competitive positioning and drive business expansion.
- Developed a strong customer-centric reputation through exceptional service delivery, resulting in high levels of customer satisfaction, repeat purchases, and positive online reviews.
Self Employed Same Day Courier
NT Same Day
01.2021 - 04.2024
- Provided nationwide same day delivery services for commercial and private clients across the UK.
- Managed route planning, customer communications, scheduling and business administration.
- Operated alongside my e-commerce business to generate additional income during seasonal trading fluctuations.
- Maintained exceptional service standards, reliability and on-time delivery performance.
National Account Manager
Merchandising & Promotional Products Ltd
03.1999 - 05.2019
- Managed a portfolio of high-profile accounts including Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), Ernst & Young (EY), Audi UK, BMW and KPMG, delivering bespoke promotional merchandise, branded products and print solutions.
- Generated annual sales revenues exceeding £2.3 million through strategic account management, business development, and client retention.
- Built and maintained strong relationships with senior stakeholders and procurement teams, resulting in long-term partnerships and repeat business.
- Developed tailored promotional merchandise, print and branded marketing solutions to support product launches, exhibitions, employee engagement, events and brand awareness campaigns.
- Worked closely with a network of 100+ trade suppliers and manufacturers across the promotional merchandise and print industry to source innovative products and secure competitive pricing.
- Managed direct sourcing and product imports from China, overseeing supplier negotiations, quality assurance, logistics and delivery schedules.
- Conducted factory visits throughout Europe and China to assess manufacturing capabilities, strengthen supplier partnerships and ensure quality standards.
- Regularly attended UK and international trade fairs, exhibitions and industry events to identify new products, monitor emerging trends and develop strategic supplier relationships.
- Negotiated long-term commercial agreements with clients and suppliers, driving profitability whilst maintaining exceptional service standards.
- Led and developed a team of Account Managers, supporting business growth, customer retention and commercial performance.
- Successfully delivered end-to-end promotional merchandise and print projects from concept and sourcing through to production, fulfilment and delivery.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Book Keeping
WCG
Leamington Spa01-2020
A-Levels - Information Technology
Park Hall Academy
Birmingham, BIR01-1998
A-Levels - Design Technology
Park Hall College
Birmingham08-1998
A-Levels - Business Studies
Park Hall College
Birmingham08-1998
Skills
- Strategic Account Management
- Revenue growth
- Business Development
- Sales Strategy
- Commercial Negotiation
- Tender management
- Public sector contracts
- Client retention
- Key Stakeholder Engagement
- Supplier & Partner Management
- Operational Leadership
- Team Leadership
- Data Analysis & Forecasting
- E-commerce & Entrepreneurship
- Relationship Building
REFERENCES
References available upon request.
Hobbies and interests
Proud father and keen golfer who enjoys fishing, walking and exploring the outdoors. Passionate about building relationships, meeting people and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Timeline
National Account Manager
Johnson's Coaches
09.2025 - Current
Self Employed Same Day Courier
NT Same Day
01.2021 - 04.2024
Business Owner
Golf Custom Shop
08.2020 - 03.2025
National Account Manager
Merchandising & Promotional Products Ltd
03.1999 - 05.2019
Certificate of Higher Education - Book Keeping
WCG
A-Levels - Information Technology
Park Hall Academy
A-Levels - Design Technology
Park Hall College
A-Levels - Business Studies
Park Hall College