Stuart Murray
Wrenthorpe
Summary
An experienced Retail Format, Programme and Project Manager with demonstrable revenue generating experience gained in the UK FMCG sector. Logical and analytical, solving problems with creativity, generating imaginative yet practical solutions to complex issues. Now seeking a new challenging opportunity to fully utilise key skills and experience with a progressive organisation.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
New Store Development Manager
COSTA Coffee
01.2022 - Current
- Leading a team of internal and external Project Managers, Architects and Quantity Surveyors with the primary responsibility for the delivery of the new store property pipeline for the UK&I across equity estate and franchise partners together with managing an annual budget of c.£30m across c.65 new stores annually.
- Oversaw the management of the pipeline from 2025 to 2028, which included diverse location types such as Drive Thru, Shopping Centres, Retail Parks, and travel sites like Train Stations and Airports including Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Stansted.
- Within this pipeline is a mix of Equity and Franchise stores with the latter following a turnkey process for delivery of all new stores.
- Provided monthly updates to property board on pipeline performance, requested investment in proposed new stores, and contributed to future property strategy.
- Weekly governance updates to the Property Director.
- Oversaw allocation of work to contractors via tenders and managed contractor and supplier performance against business-specific KPIs and regulatory standards.
- Overseeing the delivery of new initiatives via the COSTA Propositions Team and ensuring smooth delivery from concept to inception by engaging stakeholders across the business and external suppliers on projects namely blended ice drink machines to over 500 stores, drive through efficiencies and joint ventures with M&S, with budgets each project ranging from £500k - £3m, with some running simultaneously.
- Led project to reduce build and fit-out costs, enhancing investment return rates through lower fit-out expenses.
- All this has been done without compromising the brand and overall proposition and has so far driven a c. 10% reduction in store-by-store construction costs.
- Received the Managing Director award for 2025, recognising leadership of the team that delivered the highest number of new stores in over a decade.
- Lead the delivery of over 50 concessions in Sainsbury’s and 20 ASDA over recent years, as well as driving value engineering to bring the projects within the IRR hurdle, without which the stores would not have been viable.
- This work led to a saving of £1.8m in 2025 and an ongoing reduction in model cost of 8%.
- I am also the sustainability lead for the construction team, looking at our current specification and taking it from its current sustainability level to Coca Cola’s expectation.
- This is done by reviewing materials, labour and carbon footprint whilst driving changes positively to include all new stores together with renewals.
- Supporting the delivery of the refresh and maintenance programmes covering the equity estate of over 1700 shops.
- Coffee house chain, owned by Coca-Cola
Lead Construction Project Manager
AS Watson (Superdrug & Savers)
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Leading a team of Project and Implementation Managers to deliver the strategy for space within Superdrug and Savers stores through construction of new stores, refit of existing stores and conversion of Superdrug stores to Savers stores where the strategy suggests, with responsibilities consisting of:-
- Managing the relationship with contractors and internal stakeholders to ensure the delivery of current business strategy/direction using tools namely National Fit Out Specification documents, whilst also keeping tight control of costs and programmes.
- Management of contractors via regular KPI reviews.
- Spent regular time on site for feasibility, scoping, tendering, retail approval, and live site progress meetings with contractors, leading to executive sign off and successful launches.
- Preparation of feasibility assessments on all projects for board approval.
- Engaged internal stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery and capture learnings for future initiatives.
- Led specialist projects to align with strategic goals as selected by the Director and Senior Management.
- Deliver blue sky thinking on current ways of working across the department driving process improvement.
- Recreation and design of the National Fit Out Specification documents for both Superdrug and Savers, which are driving consistency, compliance, and cost savings.
- Redesign of the current schedule of rates and project costing documents, to link with the National Fit Out Specification documents which deliver greater cost estimation accuracy.
- Leading a working party ensuring AS Watson is meeting its Corporate Social Responsibilities, from project start up to implementation of processes and ways of working, whilst also collaborating with other business units within the AS Watson group.
- Contributed to raising construction materials sustainability credentials from 6% to 67%.
- Led initiatives for UK health and beauty retailers, focusing on driving business growth through strategic project alignment.
Format and Project Development Manager
Well Pharmacy (previously COOP)
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Leading a team of Space Planners and Project Managers to design, develop and deliver a refit program consisting of over 100 pharmacy shops across 3 years, with ambition from the owners to capture the remaining 700 Pharmacy shops within the estate by 2021 based on the success of the program.
- Planned space in alignment with business strategy, analysed existing performance and current market trends to enable informed decisions driving growth.
- Created a space model reflecting space performance across all categories, informing strategic decisions.
- This model drove growth in both revenue and margin.
- Created by working with several the industry’s largest suppliers, gathering feedback from shops, customers and using existing financial performance data to shape the model.
- The delivery of the change to the program and budget.
- Ensuring compliance with governing bodies such as GPHC and QCC.
- Across 2017-18, leading the delivery of a joint venture between Well Pharmacy & WH Smith which saw both parties operating out of the same retail units in a total of 6 airports and train stations, with pharmacy offer in 2 units.
- Leadership of a retail focus working party, with a remit to face into the day to day operational and cost challenges between central support office, distribution centre and stores.
- Participated monthly in providing updates to trading board on project performance and future strategies for key stakeholders including CEO and senior leadership team.
- Performed various duties related to project management and team coordination.
- Leading UK Pharmaceutical and retail chain owned by the Bestway group
Regional Market Evaluation Manager
ASDA Stores Limited
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Promoted to take ownership of a geographical region evaluating market potential to deliver ASDA’s space strategy, including playing an active part in setting that strategy.
- Made strategic decisions on regional activities using market intelligence for new and existing spaces.
- Evaluated 100’s of sites and successfully gained board approval for numerous projects ranging from large format stores to smaller supermarket stores, through to extension of existing portfolio business units.
- 12 of which are now trading stores performing in line or above sales forecast.
- Production of robust sales evaluations on new space, including self-impact and impacts from competitor openings/activity.
- Prepared and presented investment strategy papers for board and parent company approval, ensuring alignment with company goals.
- Supported overall operations through targeted activities aligned with strategic objectives.
- Leading UK Supermarket Chain
Project Manager – Store Planning
ASDA Stores Limited
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Developed a business case for board approval and managed the survey of all 350 food stores.
- Negotiated and agreed plan with funding sign off from Chief Executive.
- Identified £1m cost saving by transitioning from ad hoc surveys to structured approach.
- Managed team to maintain and update layouts while conducting surveys to ensure layout accuracy.
- Oversaw operations for leading UK supermarket chain
Store Planner
ASDA Stores Limited
01.2003 - 01.2008
- Produced sales floor layouts on AUTOCAD for new stores and trading projects, leveraging business models, sales data, and customer insights.
- Managed team to optimise operations at leading UK supermarket chain.
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results.
- Managed complaints with calm, clear communication and problem-solving.
- Maintained clean, safe working environments to eliminate accident risks.
Ticket Office Clerk
Leeds United FC
01.2000 - 01.2003
YTS Trainee
STACS Training Ltd
01.1996 - 01.2000
Education
Higher National Diploma (HND) -
Construction Management
12-2020
Higher National Diploma (HND) -
Leadership and Management
12-2020
BSc - Criminology
Open University
12-2005
GCSEs -
Cwrt Sart Comprehensive
12-1995
Skills
- Project Management
- Project delivery
- Financial oversight
- Cost management
- Cost optimisation
- Stakeholder engagement
- Contractor management
- Performance tracking
- Planning and Organisation
- Operational Strategy
- Development management
- Process improvement
- Strategic Initiative
- Leadership and Team Building
- Communication
- Team management
- Business development
Custom
Sport, especially football: currently manage an open age Saturday football team.
Timeline
New Store Development Manager
COSTA Coffee
01.2022 - Current
Lead Construction Project Manager
AS Watson (Superdrug & Savers)
01.2018 - 01.2022
Format and Project Development Manager
Well Pharmacy (previously COOP)
01.2015 - 01.2018
Regional Market Evaluation Manager
ASDA Stores Limited
01.2010 - 01.2015
Project Manager – Store Planning
ASDA Stores Limited
01.2008 - 01.2010
Store Planner
ASDA Stores Limited
01.2003 - 01.2008
Ticket Office Clerk
Leeds United FC
01.2000 - 01.2003
YTS Trainee
STACS Training Ltd
01.1996 - 01.2000
Higher National Diploma (HND) -
Construction Management
Higher National Diploma (HND) -
Leadership and Management
BSc - Criminology
Open University
GCSEs -
Cwrt Sart Comprehensive