A committed and highly driven industry professional in luxury, fashion and lifestyle accessories. A creative at heart with an overriding passion for sales, business, craftsmanship, style and British luxury. Bringing over 27 years experience in International & UK sales, key & independent account management, marketing, brand strategy, retail, e-commerce, as well as product development, design and manufacturing.
EMPLOYMENT
ETTINGER, London – Sales Director – April 2016 to June 2020. www.ettinger.co.uk
British luxury leather accessories brand with 85 years heritage in international luxury and Royal Warrant holders By Appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales. Key markets UK, Far East, USA and Europe in Men’s, Women’s, Luggage, Travel & Lifestyle markets.
Leading the global development of the UK sales team, network of International Distributors & Sales Agents, reporting directly to CEO. Tasked with driving the expansion of the brands’ existing sales network to create a new Global footprint of prestigious department stores, leading independent stores and online retailers. Key growth markets USA, China, Europe & UK. Achieved through a strategic, cost effective and hands on approach. Embracing the role of brand Guardian of this British heritage brand, whilst achieving solid sales expansion and building brand worth.
Key achievements
- Consistent double digit % sales growth year on year, resulting total growth of 35% in the last four years.
- A threefold increase in total number of directly managed Ettinger stockists.
- Achieved new Global Ettinger retailers including Harrods, Selfridges, Fenwick, Printemps Paris, NK Stockholm and Mitchells group US.
- New Retail concessions within other influential retail stores in both London and New York in key locations. Gieves & Hawkes, Savile Row London, Turnbull & Asser, Townhouse New York & The Armoury Westbury, New York.
- Design and Implementation of branded VM assets, retail display store in store fixtures, to build and enhance the luxury presentation and brand value within its retailers.
- Full creation and delivery of the Ettinger Trunk show personalisation and bespoke program. Increasing
the brand’s in store support and services for retailers to drive sales and instore marketing opportunities.
- Building a complete wholesale structure and supply process. From sales and marketing assets (lookbooks, linesheets, and catalogue), CRM system, to an In Stock continuity program. Revolutionising the companies supply and lead times resulting in the ability to win and build new business more effectively.
- Establishing and successfully running an international bi-annual Trade show schedule – Pitti Uomo (Florence) & Project (New York) and LFWM London Fashion Week Mens (London).
- Creating a British men’s multi brand showroom in New York for Mens Market week. Establisihing a wholesale showroom space with four brands Ettinger, Drakes, J Cheaney & Codis Maya.
- Managing and building UK & International Influencer, Chinese KOL projects. (K.E.Guerre, Mathias Le Fevre, Grey Fox, KK & Deng Wei).
- Led a full 360° company team approach to sales growth, achieved through sales strategy alignment with Product development, PR, Marketing, E-Commerce teams.
1994 to 2016: Over a 23 year period I setup and ran my own businesses; as a Sole Trader and then Managing Director of two limited companies. Establishing over that time two main brands DENISONBOSTON (men’s accessories) & BUBBLO (design led gift and home accessories), during this time I was the UK Distributor for FEDON1919 (Italian leather and travel accessories).
Denisonboston Ltd, Brighton – Managing Director – 2003 to 2016. https://jonathanbostonblog.wordpress.com/
Founded denisonboston in 2003 and over thirteen years, established the men’s formal accessories brand to become an award-winning design led brand for the modern gentleman. Competing globally alongside established major brands including Tateossian, Paul Smith, Boss, and Simon Carter. Distinct specialty in cufflinks, tie clips, collar stays, dress studs and lapel pins. English and Italian made ties, socks, scarves and bowties. Mens sterling silver and gold jewellery. Achieving success over a sustained period in an established and challenging market.
Key achievements
- Global Department stores sales success introducing and establishing the brand into Selfridges, John Lewis, Nordstrom, Brown Thomas, Lane Crawford, Robinsons and Bloomingdales Dubai.
- Established and managed independent menswear accounts – 150+ in UK, USA and Ireland.
- Jewellery market Key accounts Goldsmiths, luxury jeweller Boodles and 75+ contemporary boutiques.
- Creation of strong network of distributors, agents and direct relationships– USA, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Russia, UAE and Australia.
- Gained through extensive tradeshow UK & Internationally work and experience including Spring Fair, IJL International Jewellery London, Top Drawer (UK), Pitti Uomo(Italy),Mrket(New York),Ambiente(Frankfurt).
FEDON 1919 – UK Distributor & Brand Manager – 2012 to 2016. –www.fedon.com
Heritage Italian men’s and women’s business, travel, lifestyle, stationery accessories.
Product categories – luggage, briefcases, bags, small leather goods, tech accessories and business stationery. The opportunity was to bring a large established European brand collection to an unknown UK market. Following product market. Breaking into the highly developed and competitive market by utilising existing sales network and developing new customers and product sectors.
Key achievements – sales success to multiple retailers including John Lewis (luggage business bags and briefcases) and The Pen Shop (business stationery and accessories).
Futureformfunction Ltd, Sheffield – Managing Director – 1997 to 2003.
Contemporary injection moulded plastic design accessories for gift and home. The company’s main brand, BUBBLO, a range of bubble textured accessories for the table, home and office. Launched at the time of the Apple mac jelly coloured computers – Products included coasters, placemats, kitchen knives, desk products including mousemats (being the most popular product selling over 300,000 units).
Key achievements – sold to UK major outlets; Habitat, The Conran Shop and WHSmith, as well the best UK 100+ independent design shops and exported to countries worldwide including Japan and Australia.
Extensive production, sourcing and supply chain experience. Working with UK factories injection moulding & packaging companies. Successfully developing high quality and mass-produced product for the commercial market.
Angels (Mouldings), Sheffield – Owner Manager
1994 – 1996: Fiberglass lighting design and manufacture company. Designing and manufacturing fiberglass installations for bar and club interiors in Sheffield and then smaller lighting for the home. First introduction and experience of working with UK industry and manufacturing, developing and delivering products and projects.
The Percy Thomas partnership (Architects) – Technical Assistant
1989 – 1991: Work experience and then full employment during summer periods.
AWARDS
Winner UK Fashion Export Award 2008 -awarded by UKFTMens accessories category– denisonboston
Winner Gift of the Year 2003 -Giftware Association, Fashion Category-denisonboston polycarbonate collection
UK Jewellery Awards Retail Jeweller 2003 – Finalist – Fashion Jewellery Brand of the year – denisonboston
Winner Best Product Top Drawer London 2003 – denisonboston polycarbonate cufflinks collection
Winner Gift of the Year 1998 – Giftware Association- Home Accessories category – Bubblo accessories
EDUCATION
1991 – 1994 Sheffield University, BA in Architectural Studies
1989 – 1991 Cardiff Institute of Higher Education – BTEC OND in Construction – (5 merits + 2 distinctions)
1984 – 1989 Cardiff High School – 10 GCSE’s (6-A grades, 3-B grades, 1-C grade)
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Full UK driving license – no endorsements
INTERESTS
Keen road cyclist and mountain biking. Open water swimming. Dog Walking in the countryside and on our nearby beach. Travel- International culture, language and business.
LANGUAGES
English main language – Basic French & Italian
REFERENCES
Paul Alger MBE, International Business Director, UKFT Paul.alger@ukft.org
Helen Brocklebank, Chief Executive, Walpole Helen.brocklebank@thewalpole.co.uk Robert Ettinger, Managing Director, Ettinger Ltd Robertettinger@ettinger.co.uk
JONATHAN BOSTON CONSULTING 