Steve Knights

I am extremely proud to have led Lakeland for over 4 years. Lakeland is famous for its innovative, great quality kitchen and homewares backed up by expert knowledge and incredible customer service. During this time we built a fantastic customer loyalty programme, myLakeland, which now has over 2.5m members. In 2022 we transformed Lakeland's digital capability significantly growing digital sales participation. Over this period we also continued to grow own brand participation increasing product differentiation and uniqueness. Throughout my tenure, the business maintained its excellent rating on Trustpilot, typically scoring 4.8/5. In 2024 I was extremely proud to see Lakeland listed in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work list - a real testament to the amazing Lakeland colleagues across the business.

Opa Consultancy provides specialist retail and consumer consultancy services including interim assignments and specific consultancy projects for clients including investors, financial institutions and sector analysts. Interim assignments cover general management and commercial leadership positions.

Halfords is the UK's leading retailer of motoring and cycling products and services. Through Halfords Autocentres, it is also one of the UK's leading independent operators in vehicle servicing, maintenance and repairs. Halfords also incorporates a number of leading Performance Cycling businesses including Cycle Republic, Tredz and Boardman. The Group Commercial Director role encompassed all commercial activities for the main retail business (c. £1bn) including buying, sourcing, space planning, merchandising, quality and promotions. The role also included full P&L accountability for all of the Performance Cycling businesses.

Toys R Us is a leading speciality retailer of toys and baby merchandise. The UK business operated from c. 100 stores and a website and had a turnover of c. £400m. The Managing Director position had full P&L accountability across all channels.

Poundworld is one of the UK's leading value variety retailers with over 300 stores across the UK. It serves more than two million customers every week and employs over 6,000 colleagues nationwide. Following an investment from TPG Capital in May 2015, Poundworld intends to accelerate its store expansion programme and double in size over the next five years. In 2015, Poundworld made the Sunday Times' prestigious 'Top Track 250' list and was named one of the nation's fastest growing companies.

Dunelm is the UK's leading homewares retailer offering over 20,000 products across 22 home categories. The business operates from 150 stores and through on-line and mobile channels. Main areas of responsibility: • Trading – development of Dunelm’s customer proposition including category trading plans, supplier management and development and direct sourcing. • Marketing – responsibility for Dunelm brand, brand and tactical advertising, in store communication and presentation, social and PR activities and catalogue. • Supply – responsibility for all merchandising activities and management of product availability within agreed stock targets and development of supply chain capabilities. • Quality Assurance – managing product quality in line with agreed product specifications and ensuring compliance with all ethical standards. • Multi-channel – full P&L accountability for dunelm.com and responsibility for web and mobile development. • Growth initiatives – specific accountability for strategic growth initiatives including furniture and home delivery homewares.

Home Retail Group is the UK's leading home and general merchandise retailer, bringing together some of the UK's most recognisable retail brands including Argos, Homebase and Habitat. With sales of £5.5 billion, the group has a 10% share of the UK market. Main areas of responsibility: • Management of sourcing activities across Argos, Homebase and Habitat brands. • Product development, packaging and quality assurance. • Group-wide value chain activities including e procurement and other value chain initiatives. • Asia and non-Asia sourcing incorporating sourcing offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai.