PETER PAXTON

Lead the commercial strategy and development of strategic wholesale partnerships across the UK and International markets, driving profitable growth, expanding distribution and delivering long term value for the business and our retail partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own commercial strategy for UK Key Accounts including Frasers Group, Next, Very, Mainline and Jacamo.
• Manage International wholesale relationships across Europe and global markets
• Lead and develop a network of 6 independent sales agents across all Nordic regions
• Hold full commercial ownership for sales, forecasting, gross margin and profitability
• Deliver 3-year joint business plans with major partners and markets to drive sustainable growth
• Collaborate with Product, Merchandising, Supply Chain and Marketing to lead a Diamond Account Management model, optimising assortments and performance

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

✓ Strengthened strategic partnerships with leading UK retailers, delivering profitable growth

✓ Expanded International distribution across Europe and beyond

✓ Implemented strategic SMU range for Frasers to segregate the market and control discounting including introduction of CFR logistic process

✓ Delivered improved margin and profitability through disciplined commercial management

✓ Enhanced Nordic market performance focusing on in season sales and agent leadership

Specialised in executive recruitment across the international sportswear, outdoor and fashion sectors.

• Delivered retained executive search assignments across wholesale, merchandising and commercial leadership.
• Levered relationships to partner with premium global brands to recruit senior commercial talent, becoming a preferred supplier for Patagonia, Champion and John Lewis.
• Built extensive market intelligence and strong industry networks across Europe.

Managed the wholesale product business for River Island, building and scaling the division to c. £35 million. Led a team of 12 and was responsible for commercial performance across a portfolio of UK and international wholesale accounts.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Led and developed a team of 12 across buying, sales and account management.
• Owned P&L responsibility for the wholesale business, delivering ambitious sales and profitability targets.
• Developed and implemented wholesale strategy across key accounts including Next, Very, Zalando, ASOS, Nordstrom and Wehkamp.
• Built and launched successful SMU (Special Make Up) programmes with key partners.
• Drove product development, assortment strategy and pricing to optimise performance.
• Monitored market trends using Edited software and competitor activity to identify growth opportunities.
• Collaborated cross-functionally with Design, Merchandising and Supply Chain.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

✓ Grew the wholesale business to circa £35 million.
✓ Achieved 100%+ revenue growth during tenure.
✓ Launched multiple successful SMU programmes, driving incremental sales and margin.
✓ Built long-term partnerships with leading UK and international retailers.

Manage key UK menswear and womenswear wholesale accounts including John Lewis, Selfridges and Frasers Group, circa £50m revenue responsibility.

• Drive product selection for Franchise partners inline with brand guidelines.
• Negotiate new mat space to include SIS fixtures to enhance brand desirability.
• Lead acquisition of key and strategic independent accounts delivering bespoke product selections and physical and digital marketing campaigns.

Manage independent menswear and womenswear multi-brand wholesale accounts in South of England, South Wales, Channel Islands and Gibraltar.

• Drove organic sales growth through analysing sales data and replenishment model.
• Delivering positive sales results vs budget.
• Secured circa £500k additional revenue from liquidation line sales.