Senior Vice President

Executive

As a result of an internal promotion, reporting to the CEO, providing leadership, strategic direction and guidance to a team of 8 and approximately 1450 staff throughout the GCC within the Luxury, Lifestyle and Hospitality Divisions, incorporating 17 franchise businesses spread across 136 stores. Responsible for the complete operational performance of the (AED 1 billion sales revenue) Divisions including P & L, sales, planning, forecasting and strategy.

Key Achievements:
• Effectively built a complementary high performing team utilising best in class practices for talent retention including recruitment, optimising work-life balance, motivation, professional development (coaching & mentoring), career advancement opportunities and helping employees create personal growth plans.
• Introduced and adopted Top Grading Interview Techniques in the Company, in the Region.
• Spearheaded, led and directed the team to notable commercial success during tenure, including:
? Launching the GAP and Mamas & Papas E-Commerce sites (gap.ae & mamasandpapas.ae) in 2017 resulting in M&P digital achieving highest store sales in 2 years, surpassing 21 stores.
? Successfully relaunched the flagship (9,500 sqft) Armani Boutique (Dubai Mall) in 2020 creating a first brand concept incorporating an elevated design and customer experience.
? Revamped the commercial relationship with Caffè Nero resulting in increasing the number of stores from 19 to 50 by the end of 2022.
• Collaborated with key internal and external stakeholders to divest one franchise business and renegotiate commercial operational relationships resulting in four brands becoming Joint Ventures from franchises previously.
• Reduced costs by 30% through realising Capex savings by forming and managing effective working relationships with the Projects Department during the opening of 90 new stores from 2016 to 2019.
• Pioneered the Net Promoter System/Score (NPS) to the Middle East region in 2014, and since then the NPS has increased from 63% to 82%.
• Increased organisational efficiencies and improved working practices by being a proactive partner in the restructuring of the organisation on a number of occasions, and successfully implementing the resulting change management initiatives throughout the organisation.

Responsible for spearheading the Lifestyle Division's strategy and market growth incorporating the brands Gap, AX, Mamas & Papas, and Crate & Barrel throughout the GCC; formulating and executing the business strategy and product/concessions solutions to drive growth; leading the teams to grow the business in line with organisational goals; overseeing sales and revenue forecasts; and spearheading organisational development.

Key Achievements:
• Achieved and/ or surpassed all performance targets and KPIs during tenure, including sales revenue, profitability and market share.
• Led and directed the growth in Gap to 26 outlets in 5 GCC countries accounting for sales revenue of AED350m.
• Attained leading ranked positions for 2 Gap stores globally: 2 in the top 10 for revenue generated and the Dubai Mall Gap being ranked as the most productive store globally.
• Successfully turned around the hitherto loss making Mamas & Papas franchise into a profitable business within 18 months of acquiring the brand; further, grew the number of outlets to 21 across 6 countries.
• Effectively collaborated with all franchise partners to maximise return on investments for all parties through constant realignment of business strategies resulting in the creation and sourcing of unique products for the Middle East market.
• Increased profitability of the division through diligent negotiations and re-negotiations of several brand contracts throughout tenure, including Gap, Mamas and Papas and Armani.

General Manager

Leading a team of 11 direct reports, responsible for leading the market growth and operational development of 16 globally renowned names including Mother Care, Debenhams, BHS and Next; across the Middle East. Also accountable for the day-to-day management of the direct reports including recruitment, onboarding, performance management and training & development.

Key Achievements:
• Spearheaded, led and successfully managed the team to:
? Grow sales by over 700% during tenure of the role.
? Introduce and launch 5 new concepts into the Middle East: River Island, Top Shop, Claire's, Motivi and Tommy Hilfiger.
• Improved organisational effectiveness through cooperating with senior executives to restructure the business in line with market needs and resource reallocation resulting in customer centricity throughout the company.
• Improved employee engagement and motivation by developing and implementing accurate job profiles throughout the organisation in collaboration with the HR Department.
• Proactively aided the talent management processes by designing and creating self-development/learning materials for individuals identified as 'future management talent', resulting in higher levels of employee retention.

Previous Abridged Professional Experience
Next Plc, UK: Store Manager/Project Manager
Marks & Spencer Plc., Romford, UK: Deputy Store Manager
BHS Plc., UK: Store Manager


Continuous Professional Development
• Principles of People Management Certificate.
• Negotiation Dynamics Programme; Insead France.
• Rockefeller Habits.
• Train the Trainer Course.
• Executive Management Leadership.
• Bullet Proof Manager

Regional development Manager

Find out detailed information about Richard Peace, Senior Vice President 

Richard Peace: Senior Vice President

Richard Peace