Jan 2023 – Mar 2025 · 2 yrs 2 mos · Leeds, England, United Kingdom · Hybrid

• Initiated, developed and scaled Project Imperium (Foods One Best Way) a transformative operational program for M&S that redefined store processes and stock management across the food business.
• Whilst straightforward in concept, implementation required overcoming significant challenges.
• Store teams should take tremendous pride in the results achieved.
• Strategic Impact:
• Launched in 5 pilot stores before expanding company-wide
• Sponsored by the CEO, Foods MD and Operations Director
• Delivered improvements in availability, stock accuracy, waste reduction and efficiencies
• Test region led company for stock accuracy over 2 years
• Process Innovation:
• Rebuilt operations with disciplined replenishment routines and planogram adherence
• Improved stock control to drive availability and reduce overstocks
• Developed new waste date checking application
• Enhanced gap scan technology with automation
• Created delivery deferral system to sync stock updates with operational task
• Removed inefficient counting logic in favour of our own processes to deliver better outputs for stores.
• Cultural Transformation:
• Shifted mindset toward replenishment and operational control
• Regional culture became example for company
• Nearly eliminated loose stock across entire chain within 12 months
• Created cross-functional accountability between stores and support office
• Worked directly with store teams to solve problems quickly
• Technology Integration:
• Digitised short-life reduction processes with new app
• Redesigned targeted long-life date checks
• Reduced time spent on counting through automation
• Improved accuracy while saving labour
• Legacy:
• Process that started in 5 shops is now in 600 shops.
• Created new documentation, communication and performance standards
• Developed sequenced methodology for wider implementation
• Our work transformed store operations, driving improved availability, stock management and operational efficiency over a sustained period.

Jan 2007 – Present · 19 yrs 4 mos · Harrogate, England, United Kingdom · Hybrid

• At Grocery Insight, we solve retail problems with real world, in store evidence. Our team produces more than 3,600 expert images from stores each week, building what is likely one of the largest private retail image sets globally.
• We’ve advised leadership teams through complex change, format transformation, availability issues, market repositioning, new concept rollouts and more.
• We’ve also supported fund managers and brand teams with first hand competitive context and tactical visibility on pricing, space, signage, and seasonal events.
• Notable Work:
• Built a new operating model for one of the UK’s fastest-growing retailers; their biggest transformation in 140 years.
• Delivered immersive store based analysis across formats for both own retailer and franchise stores, generating meaningful change for customers, colleagues and shareholders alike.
• Advised on dozens of store renewal and refit programmes and flagship format launches.
• Created the definitive report on value perception in retail signage across numerous clients.
• Produced category specific best practice reports spanning meat, bakery, own label, and more.
• This weekly practice of expert store photography over 15 years generated an archive of 1.2 million+ retail images, now commercialised as Kanops, a structured dataset for AI and computer vision training.
• Services & Expertise:
• Retail Operations | In-store Execution | Change Management
• Strategic Advisory | Store Standards | Availability & Replenishment
• Competitive & Market Analysis | Seasonal Event Planning
• Format Development | Shelf Intelligence | Mystery Shopping (No Notice Visits)

Apr 2002 – Nov 2006 · 4 yrs 7 mos · Bradford

• Where it all began.
• Started as a core colleague before working on a number of departments across the store. I then became team lead on Bakery and Fresh Foods. Many moons ago!