Productschƶn Consulting

With a strong family history in the clothing industry, right back to my great great grandfather, Johannes, shown on the right (a tailor to Queen Victoria & Prince Albert, no less!) I am an internationally experienced merchant. I have worked in Retail and Wholesale for internationally recognised brands such as Levi Strauss, Timberland, Tommy Hilfiger, Barbour and Ellesse. I started out at the age of 18 as a trainee buyer for a European Clothing Wholesaler, Campari International Plc, where I was mentored by the managing director and my father John, in all aspects of design, product development, sampling, sourcing, buying, brand franchises and major account selling. This led to the opportunity of travelling the world extensively around Europe, the Far East and the United States, providing me with a rich understanding of different cultures and the ways of doing business on the international stage. From there I went on to live and work in Germany, then back to the UK where I set up a designer fashion store business with a good friend in Clapham, South London. I then proceeded to work for Timberland EMEA out of their UK EHQ; I consulted for the Pentland Group (with the Ellesse brand); then to Levi Strauss Europe as Design & Merchandise Director for Dockers EMEA; next to Simonside, near Newcastle to consult on the J Barbour & Sons clothing brand; before moving overseas once again to work as Senior Merchandise Director Menswear for Tommy Hilfiger Europe, in Amsterdam. On returning home once more, I then began working on small consulting projects. That led me to become, a creative industry focussed business adviser initially, with LSBC, as part of a London based business advisory team. From my experience/background, I have developed strong business insights and an entrepreneurial approach to developing business strategies, as I work with both new and established businesses. These businesses include fashion creatives, artists, service industry professionals and a multitude of on-line and off-line line enterprises in the food & beverage, tech, furniture, beauty, travel, sports and well-being sectors. In assisting in the process of setting up a business by developing business plans; financial projections; product management strategies and gaining access to business funding, I have developed a broad skill set that is well appreciated by those who work/have worked with me (please check out my client testimonials). I now also work as a proud Partner of the British Library where I deliver quality and popular business planning and business development workshops. I have also worked on the Reset Restart programme started as the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. I also work as a mentor on programmes such as the UK government’s HELP TO GROW Programme, operating as a consultant engaged by Brunel University London.