Gary E.

I manage a wide range of regulatory licensing matters, ensuring compliance across the business. I oversee licensing operations for alcohol sales, age-restricted products, fireworks, TV licenses, copyright permissions, and other critical operational licenses that allow our stores to trade legally. In my role, I develop and implement clear procedures and targets that empower our store and regional teams to ensure full compliance. I provide ongoing guidance and tools that help them navigate licensing requirements effectively. As the main point of contact for licensing enforcement issues, I handle complex negotiations and applications, applying my extensive knowledge of licensing law to offer expert counsel to stakeholders at every level of the organisation. -Managing and defending new license applications and variations to secure essential operational permits. -Developing strategic reports and tools to track internal and external licensing targets, minimising enforcement risks. -Collaborating with internal stakeholders and external authorities, such as Licensing Officers and the Police, to align processes and ensure smooth operational performance. With a commercially-minded approach, I continuously identify opportunities within the licensing framework to support business growth, ensuring that any imposed conditions on licenses are manageable and do not hinder our operations. My combination of legal expertise and commercial insight allows me to protect Home Bargains' compliance while driving its success. I also engage with industry bodies like the Institute of Licensing (IoL), Retail Alcohol Standards Group (RASG), and Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP), contributing to the development of sector-wide procedures and best practices. In this fast-paced role, my ability to prioritise, manage multiple projects, and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders, including senior leaders, ensures that Home Bargains consistently meets its licensing needs.

Managed a team of five Licensing Specialists to ensure all Licenses and Permits were obtained and maintained on time. The team were responsible for: • All Premises Licence applications • All Premises Licence annual fees • All Petrol permits & petrol storage applications • Team recruitment • HR team management • All Fireworks Licence applications and overall compliance • PPR/PPL music licenses/permissions • Animal by Product licenses • Hazardous Waste Registration • GPHC (General Pharmaceutical Council) registrations • Copyright Licensing Agency renewals • ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) registrations • Liquor Licenses in Northern Ireland • NLA (Newspaper Licensing Agency) licenses • TV License renewals

Managed cooking aids, pasta, tea, coffee and ambient ice lolly and ice cream categories for all Iceland stores across the country

Project management with the Compliance Team including recruitment, daily operations and HR management

Full Profit, loss and HR management

Full Profit, loss and HR management

Regional role working with the Regional Director, Regional HR Manager and Recruitment Teams