Laurence Smith

Providing 5 year Strategic direction, Governance and Commercial Challenge to owner and senior management team. Helping implement new category led business structure and program to develop people skills and clear succession planning. Focus on new bringing production back to UK made.

• Coaching sessions with department heads to build skill sets, commercial experience and industry leading campaigns, customer relations and innovation.

• Implemented new Innovation funnel and sign off system.

• Implementation of cross functional category teams coaching and supporting owner.

Set up and strategic partnerships through 3rd part supply and delivery of cake to all channels under Smith & Lewis brand. End customers to include Blue Diamond, Notcutts, Hillier, Co-Op, Budgens, Booker and many other well recognised retailers and distributors in retail and foodservice sectors.

Managing a team of up to 100 across 3 sites providing ambient cake (over 8 segments) to national, regional and independent customers across the UK with our fleet of vehicles and direct via distributors and RDC's. Customers include Dobbies, Blue Diamond, Morrisons, Spar, Budgens, Blakemore, Booker and many other well recognised retailers and distributors in retail and foodservice sectors.

• Sit on the Bakery, Confectionary and Snacks FDF Industry steering group as a member of FDF.

• 35% t/o growth within first 2 years while maintaining GM% .

• Secured national TV, Radio and Press coverage on multiple occasions for Fatherson brand.

• Multiple award winning occasions for products, business and brand since takeover.

• Implemented channel strategies, CRM programs, new accounting and logistics systems to facilitate and prepare for future growth plans.

• Ensured multiple cost saving initiatives underway and delivered to improve net profit.

• Capex investment to improve efficiency while maintaining hand-made and hand decorated positioning in market.

• Opened up relationships with top 10 national UK retailers for future growth opportunities.

• Partnered with key suppliers in bakery for partnership growth relationships.

• Developed market winning ranges for key seasons: Valentine, Mother's Day, Easter, Halloween and X-mas. 2020 1.3m mince pies v 2018 pre joining of 450k units.