anthony mitchell

Learnt about importance of Visual merchandising, commercial awareness, retail standards, customer service, people management,

* Role is primarily to ensure that the clothing operation in store is run effectively and efficiently. The role included: * Writing weekly communications for store teams that are relevant, concise and business focused based around key corporate strategies * Reviewing ‘trial’ proposals from other departments to make sure they are operationally and commercially viable * Liaising with other departments to help decrease stock loss and waste performance through improving procedures and training * Increasing charitable stock donations by stores * Working closely with Area Managers to improve operational effectiveness * Writing specific Instructions for key promotional events

* Reporting to Managing Director to plan and execute the VM strategy * Plan and set up of brand new VM function including * New style of main stores facia designed to strengthen brand identity * Designed new standardised window kit to ensure higher degree of corporate consistency * Fixture design and development both permanent and semi-permanent * Mannequin procurement * Redesigned instore POS to clarify messages and information to customers * Set up an Area VM specialist team using them to drive VM standards and awareness * Introduced VM guidelines and training documents * Set up of and roll out VM workshop programme * Worked with current and sourced new suppliers to ensure better quality and VFM * Worked closely with the Retail and Buying directors to ensure the VM strategy was in line with retail and buying plans * Liaised with New Store Project Manger and Area mangers in planning new and opening new stores

* Working alongside Head of VM to ensure clear communications are created for stores and other head office functions * Ensuring all communications have a consistent template and the latest corporate handwriting * Liaise with Head of Retail Operations in the collation of information for strategy planning and ad hoc projects * Working closely with other Directors and senior management to ensure information required is delivered concisely and within the agreed time frame * Setting up of a company-wide Visual Merchandising database with relevant information for every store * Writing communications and guidelines * Managing documentation for RVM and VT field teams

* Working closely with Directors, Store and Regional Management in improving VM standards and procedures * Producing clear informative instruction documents based on key corporate strategies * Creating exciting commercial and visual store layouts * Planning, setting up of and managing refurb projects and new store openings * Managing and training teams through major projects. Usually between 15-30 people * Project Management of new store concepts, brand insertions and other visual initiatives * Accountable for designing and running informative visual merchandising development workshops for store-based teams

My remit was to set up their brand new flagship store from initial recruitment of Visual team through to finalising the standards prior to opening. Then to manage the Visual Merchandising operation of the store from window design and internal mannequins through to product handling and fixture layout. Budget control, training and development were key components of the role .

Accountability for my decisions, team recruitment and development, managed the VM standards across region. Decisions based on interpretting guidelines and commersial data

This is a fantastically varied role and pretty unique within the industry. The position affords me the ability to help shape and influence the standards and principles of merchandise presentation across the whole of the Mitchells & Butlers portfolio.

Diploma in the use of large format cameras. GCSEs