Nick Ratcliffe

Merchant Mercenary- Hands-on business improvement for independent merchants — practical fixes, measurable results, zero fluff

Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom

About

Professional, successful and well-organised leader, with 30 years’ experience in the retail and distribution trade, having worked across several industries and in multiple disciplines in Sales & Marketing, Strategic Planning, Team Development, General Management, Supply Chain and Operations.

Experience

  • Director at Merchants Edge
    Aug 2024 - Present · 1 yr 11 mos

  • Managing Director at National Timber Group
    Mar 2020 - Apr 2024 · 4 yrs 2 mos

    Managing Director (Scotland)

  • Marketing Director at Arnold Laver and Co Ltd
    Jul 2019 - Mar 2020 · 9 mos

  • Owner at Bathroom Space
    Sep 2018 - Jul 2019 · 11 mos

    Design and installation of bath and shower rooms. General building works and pre-sale house prep.

  • Minster (Coventry, United Kingdom)
    • Programme Director
      Mar 2017 - Jun 2018 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Delivery of a significant change management programme to ensure the smooth adoption of a new operating system across the business and to maximise the return on the investment through improving processes and redefined roles and procedures. Key to this was ensuring full engagement of all operating employees and stakeholders throughout development and implementation.

    • Director Of Operations
      Oct 2014 - Feb 2017 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      Responsible for the efficient operation of national network of branches through 3 Regional Director reports, covering many areas including logistics and fleet management, staff recruitment, development and management, inventory management, health & safety and wellbeing improvements, property management, new branch openings and relocations

    • Marketing Director
      Sep 2009 - Sep 2014 · 5 yrs 1 mo

      Shifting the business focus from product-led to market-led. Headed up and expanded the company's marketing activities and profile, including website revision and leading the first steps into e-commerce, social media and mobile platforms for the brand. Was also involved in re-defining key elements of the strategy of the business and managed several key client relationships, notably with the merchant buying groups.