Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Since Graduating from Northumbria University with a BA (Hons) Degree in Business Studies and having had the privilege of working for Procter & Gamble in the 3rd Year of the sandwich course, I’ve always worked in FMCG. I’ve had roles ranging from a Buyer at Tesco responsible for over £300,000,000 sales in Cheese and Continental Meats, to a Recruitment consultant for 2 years where I won the ‘Rising Star’ award. By far my favourite role was in a Design Consultancy where I sat on the Board of Directors and took responsibility for both acquisition of new clients and the growth of existing. My proudest moment was securing Coca-Cola as a Client. I loved flying to London and Geneva to meet as many people as possible at Procter & Gamble. However, this all came to an abrupt end when I was diagnosed with Bipolar trigger by the breakdown of my marriage in 2019. From the date of the breakdown to present day, I went through the greatest challenge of my life as I battled extreme lows and highs (mania). I was sectioned 3 times in 2022, 2023 & 2024 where I spent a total of 9 months in 2 different hospital in Sunderland and Morpeth. In life however, there is always a positive. It meant I gained access to what I now realise was the greatest live research facility I could ever have hoped for. I got to know each of 18 patients on the ward with conditions ranging from PTSD to Schizophrenia. I forget how many times I was told ‘John - focus on yourself and stop trying to help the other patients’. My proudest moment was taking a patient on ‘suicide watch’ from lying horizontal in bed sleeping all day, to getting up out of bed, showered and dressed and watching a Newcastle match with me. He was discharged days later. Knowing the hell that people with complex Mental Health issues go through, I believe it’s now my calling to try to help as many people globally suffering from Mental Health challenges as I can. To that end, I’ve decide to take all of my knowledge of mental health and combine it with research into Neurology to write a Thesis titled “Understanding the Neuro-Science of the Brain & Subsequent Recommendations for Application in the Improvement of Mental Health”. Then hope to disseminate these findings to both the NHS and also directly to as many sufferers as possible.
I am currently researching / writing a Thesis on the subject ‘Understanding The Neuro Science of the Brain & Subsequent Recommendations for Application in the Improvement of Mental Health.’. I am also volunteering in a Psychiatric Hospital to get a much deeper understanding of the various types of mental health by observing and talking directly to the Patients. I hope to become a Peer Support worker and Lecture at Universities. I’m open to project work and consultancy.
My role is to deliver profitable and sustainable growth for DECIDE. which is a UK based Creative Consultancy specialising in Shopper Marketing and Packaging Design for both physical and digital FMCG environments. We believe these disciplines are increasingly complementary and consider them ‘as one’. We are the longest established independent creative consultancy in the UK, with 60 years’ experience in using effective design to influence how people choose brands at the decisive moments of purchase, through insight, smart thinking and inspired, award-winning creativity. DECIDE. main offices are in Newcastle and we work with blue-chip clients in the FMCG sector.
Responsible for the successful development & growth of the largest account at DECIDE. with Procter & Gamble in the UK and Geneva.
Responsible for the delivery of Revenue, Profit, Waste and service level targets across a portfolio of products in the chilled department worth circa £250 million. Responsible for ensuring the products on the shelf were capable of delivering these targets incorporating a mix of brand and Own Label, across multi-format stores, pre-pack and delicatessen. Involved utilisation of negotiation and influencing skills, a robust supplier strategy, knowledge of market and customer dynamics and a high level of involvement and understanding of Merchandising principles and techniques.
Worked on site with client (Tesco) to deliver Own Label artwork developments from design through to print files. Utilised excellent time management and organisational skills to work on up to 250 artwork changes simultaneously, delivering over 2,500 artwork change initiatives throughout the year. Co-ordinated several functions / departments simultaneously to deliver to agreed timelines. Developed excellent working relationship with team and client.