Retail Transformation Realised

Proven unique strategic processes and vision that both empathetically and collaboratively identify key deliverable actions for immediate stability, positive change, leading to sustainable growth with sound financial underpinning.

What we do

Full-Pitch provides a full commercial service to companies within the retail sector that require strategic transformation, leadership management or senior training. Business acumen and sector-focused knowledge gleaned from years of practical experience and success are applied through analysis and understanding of each brief to provide a bespoke roadmap. We then deploy the right experts to see this through, working in partnership with our clients to practically navigate an often complex and fragmented strategic journey.

SERVICES

Practical knowledge of and experience in the retail sector enables the Full-Pitch team to deliver tailored support and advice on each individual situation following a period of analysis. We identify our core services in three specific areas:

Leadership management
We evaluate and manage investment relationships and leadership at a Chair/NED/CRO/CTO/M&A level according to the needs of every situation. Our team of experts will assess requirements and deploy the appropriate mix of specialists to address each individual scenario. Similarly, any interim, senior, director-level positions that demand ‘hands on’ experience of strategic transformation will be reviewed and fulfilled in line with unique requirements.

Strategic direction
We utilise visionary thinking to identify and analyse a retailer or brand’s DNA to develop a clear strategic way forward. We can advise and support a diverse range of business challenges, including:

Merger, Acquisition and Divestment.
Business restructure
Change management
Transformation
Negotiation
Retail image
Retail merchandising
Product design and development.

The conception, implementation and delivery of any strategic roadmap is always achieved with the support and agreement of the shareholders and stakeholders involved.

Mentoring
Effective leadership coaching and mentoring are provided for senior executives alongside practical support to ensure positive change, growth, and sustainable outcomes at a manageable pace.

Our bespoke mentoring approach is designed to impact your team, company culture, and – importantly – your bottom line.

Get in touch
Call us to chat through what we can do for your business:
Call
M: +44 [0] 7768 764414
T: +44 [0] 1372 464054
Email us
E: simon@full-pitch.com

Our approach

Our approach is entirely bespoke and is adapted to meet the requirements of every individual situation, every time.
We pride ourselves on getting to the point, stripping away ambiguity, and implementing processes that improve efficiencies and deliver results.

A friendly and professional team of industry experts; Full-Pitch will provide you with a respectful and effective consulting service,
working in partnership with you to understand your brand and ensure it is on the right path.

SIMON M. Smith

Full-Pitch Director, Simon M. Smith, has enjoyed a long-standing and diverse retail career,
having transformed and led numerous fashion brands into profitable
multi-channel retail trading businesses.

Current and recent successful assignments include:

BrandAlley – oversaw and negotiated the assets purchase of the IFG group, and appointed to the board as Board Advisory/ Non Exec Director.
Ollie Quinn – optical on-line/stores retailer part of the Foresight PE portfolio as Non Exec Chairman
Boiler Juice, Livingbridge PE portfolio – stabilised, cash generative initiatives provided liquidity as Chief Restructuring Officer.
FitFlop – reviewed, proposed and delivered stable change across all channels of global operation. Ensured the ongoing viability of the business based on self- funded cash initiatives, refocused the business on its original brand ethos, ensured supplier relations maintained, streamlined and reduced overhead delivering ultimately delivering outside debt funding to ensure the ongoing growth and development of the brand. All completed during the global pandemic.
Mothercare – successful store closure programme, overseeing procurement and delivery of product on behalf of Gordon Brothers.
PE Electra plc – appointed CTO securing the viability of Hotter Shoes through restructuring, immediate key cash initiatives and a fully-scoped three-year business plan including store rationalisation, e commerce focus, growth initiatives.
House of Fraser – leading the strategy and implementation of the store rationalisation programme as CVA Director.
Ben Sherman Group, a global brand owned by New York based Marquee Brands – leading the successful restructure, as Chief Restructuring Officer and CEO with Gordon Brothers.
Overseeing the redevelopment and transformation of a major Dublin Department Store (Dublin, Ireland) as Commercial Director.

Simon has also served in an executive capacity as CEO/Managing Director on the main boards of:

Sabotage Limited [Fly53]
WDT-World Design and Trade Company Limited [co-owners of: Firetrap, Fullcircle and Sonneti]
Blues Filobranca [major licensee holder in the UK]
Jefferson International Limited [Major supplier to the High Street department store multiples]

Working in close partnership with you, Simon will take you and your company on an agreed path that lays the foundation for delivering change combined with sustainable growth.

EXPERIENCE AT A GLANCE

Simon has been instrumental in creating a tailored, successful business model for numerous brands, either directly or indirectly, including:

Simon and his team came in to help FitFlop navigate a very difficult period when COVID-19 caused every retailer and every distributor to cancel pre-bought orders of millions of pairs of footwear, leading to a cash flow crunch of a kind never experienced before. He was experienced and solid, a clear and organized guide for the team through what was very foreign territory and everyone appreciated his leadership. Simon also used his tenure to turn over a lot of stones, and handed the business back on very solid footing, and we will be forever grateful for his help through what was an unprecedented situation.

Simon was engaged to review and provide Electra PE plc with options to support decisions in the best interests of our shareholders around restructuring and transformation of Hotter Shoes. Simon provided, on engagement, an immediate focus within the business on cash generation to allow headroom space whilst both he and the Electra board worked through the varying options available. Following this review and further investment from Electra based in part on the increased cash generation in the business Simon provided a fully scoped 3 year business plan/strategy providing insights into stronger retail trading/ margin enhancements and a clear strategy with timings on the next steps with the store portfolio. Simon remains with Electra PE plc as an advisor and I would highly commend his work.

ABOUT US

Full-Pitch Consulting was established by Simon M Smith to advise and act on M&A with leading investors and trade buyers.

To lead business restructuring, business transformation, change management, business commercial development and investment opportunities.

Full-Pitch utilises Simon’s 30+ years of international experience in the retail, consumer and the fashion industry to empathetically support businesses through transformative challenges.

Contact

LET’S TALK
M: +44 [0] 7768 764414

CONTACT ADDRESS
Full-Pitch Consulting and Trade Company Limited, 307 Coptain House, Eastfields Avenue, London SW18 1JX.

EMAIL US
E: simon@full-pitch.com