Samuel Shepherd
Walsall,West Midlands
Summary
Driven and enthusiastic individual with a unique blend of creative fashion experience, professional sport discipline, and people-focused work in education. Former bag and accessories designer for Brady Bags, bringing strong product insight, attention to detail, and a genuine passion for high-quality goods. Currently supporting confidence development in children, I’m now seeking to transition into a retail role where my interpersonal skills, positivity, and love for premium products can help deliver memorable customer service.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work history
School instructor
Commando Joe's
Midlands
04.2025 - Current
- Embed character education whether it be emotionally, socially, morally or academically to allow children to thrive in school and in their day to day life.
- Supporting schools structure behavior expectations, focusing on the 'RESPECT' framework targeting Resilience, Empathy, Self-awareness, Passion, Excellence, Communication and Teamwork.
- Very successful impact reports within the schools, with children showing positive steps towards improved confidence and academic results.
- Promoted physical, mental and social development by implementing classroom games and outdoor recreational activities.
Senior creative designer
Brady Bags
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
08.2023 - 02.2025
- Developed creative designs for marketing campaigns, resulting in a 28% increase in brand awareness.
- Managed multiple design projects simultaneously whilst ensuring timely completion.
- Utilised latest industry trends in creating modern, innovative designs that attracted new customers in both the UK and Japanese market.
- Networked to introduce Brady to potential buyers, resulting in over 6 new stores and boutiques stocking Brady products in the last year.
Assistant officer at Walsall Football Club
Walsall Football Club
Walsall, West Midlands
01.2022 - 06.2023
- Supported Sport manager in delivering departmental outcomes.
- Coached Post 16 squads, working towards athletic and academic performance improvement.
- Collaborated with education partners to track student progress effectively.
- Directed recruitment initiatives to enhance team capabilities.
- Managed 'Kick-Off' employability programme, assisting individuals facing unemployment and mental health challenges. Managed to successfully assist 34 out of the 40 participants into employment or education programmes.
- Oversaw the 'Talented and Gifted' development programme, coaching the Under 12s during evenings and weekends.
Senior Designer
Brady Bags
Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham
02.2021 - 10.2021
- Communicated design concepts with the design team and the owners of the company through sketches, illustrations and technical diagrams using CAD software programmes.
- Gathered information on seasonal trend changes and competitor activity within the bag and accessories field.
- Prepared product designs and size specifications using patterns, which were then used to create the final product with the help of the preparers and machinists.
- Liaised with the manager of the company daily, making sure staff were hitting their intended targets and the owners were kept pleased.
- Negotiated with buyers on availability, product specifications, distribution, delivery deadlines and price.
Trainee Accountant
Clive Shepherd & Co Solicitors
Walsall, West Midlands
11.2018 - 12.2020
- Maintained accurate and complete documentation for all financial department procedures.
- Evaluated employee expense reports and verified accuracy.
- Processed payroll for approximately 15 employees.
- Monitored status of accounts receivable and payable to facilitate efficient processing.
- Completed financial reports to inform both the directors of the company and the clients.
Saracens Community
Saracens
St Albans, Hertfordshire
09.2017 - 05.2018
- Was successful in establishing a positive partnership between Saracens Rugby Club and schools within the Hertfordshire county, leading to many students attending Saracens holiday camps and weekly training sessions.
- Closely evaluated the students performances and behaviours, providing clear constructive feedback.
- Provided clear and concise instructions for beneficial understanding, so players were fully aware of what was expected of them.
- Identified individual strengths and weaknesses, adapting training sessions to suit the players needs for positive development.
- Educated players on nutrition and positive life choices for better health and performance linking it with the physical education standards in the UK.
RFU Rugby Coach
RFU
Birmingham, West Midlands
09.2016 - 04.2017
- Focused on the RFU’s initiative to develop rugby in state schools, located and linked with a rugby club in the area.
- Worked with students aged eleven to sixteen, coaching them the basic, fundamental skills needed to play rugby whilst also making it as enjoyable as possible.
- Managed to co-operate well with my student groups, keeping them engaged at all times and made sure every individual had benefited and had a part to play throughout the session.
- Fulfilled the intended target, managing to link a large proportion of the students to a rugby club, helping to both develop the individual and the club in moving forward.
- Whilst being a contracted professional with Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club, this partnership was crucial for both the club and the community of Birmingham, for schools to receive detailed and enjoyable rugby sessions whilst also giving Moseley recognition and advertisement to grow their platform moving forward.
Education
Certificate of Higher Education - Business and Psychology
Nottingham Trent University
NottinghamCertificate of Higher Education -
Loughborough University
LoughboroughA-Levels - Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Rugby)
Hartpury College
Gloucester2014
GCSE -
Old Swinford Hospital School
Stourbridge2012
Skills
- Able to express myself clearly and confidently in speech
- Work confidently within a group
- Manage time effectively, always prioritising strict deadline dates and targets that need to be met
- Adapt successfully to changing situations and environments
- Able to motivate and direct my peers
- Proficient in software programmes such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Microsoft PowerPoint
- Meticulous attention to detail, with whatever I am faced with
- Analytical in my approach, making sure there is no room for error
Accomplishments
- Played professional rugby since the age of 17, playing for Leicester Tigers and Gloucester Academy, Hartpury College, Saracens and Old Albanians, Nottingham, Leeds Tykes and Birmingham Moseley.
- No health problems.
- Experience with a variety of people and different cultures.
- Enhances DBS checked.
- A full, clean UK driving license.
- First Aid trained and qualified.
- Safeguarding qualification.
Timeline
School instructor
Commando Joe's
04.2025 - Current
Senior creative designer
Brady Bags
08.2023 - 02.2025
Assistant officer at Walsall Football Club
Walsall Football Club
01.2022 - 06.2023
Senior Designer
Brady Bags
02.2021 - 10.2021
Trainee Accountant
Clive Shepherd & Co Solicitors
11.2018 - 12.2020
Saracens Community
Saracens
09.2017 - 05.2018
RFU Rugby Coach
RFU
09.2016 - 04.2017
Certificate of Higher Education - Business and Psychology
Nottingham Trent University
Certificate of Higher Education -
Loughborough University
A-Levels - Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport (Rugby)
Hartpury College
GCSE -
Old Swinford Hospital School