Shireen Jayyusi

Experience

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  UBS Investment Bank, Investment Banking Division

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2004

  Associate Director - Retail & Consumer Goods M&A Advisory

  Involved in a number of high-profile European corporate acquisitions, disposals, IPOs and debt financings. Spearheaded European coverage for clothing and department store sub-sectors and drove the team's financial sponsor franchise. Key projects included public-to-privates of New Look (apparel retailer) and Debenhams (department store chain) and leveraged buy-out of Halfords (autoparts and bicycle retailer).

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  Wotif.com

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2008

  Head of Business, Latin America (now part of Expedia.com)

  Wotif.com is a global B2C specialist in online accommodation, with activities in over 40 countries. Listed on the Australian Stock Exchange until its acquisition by Expedia.com in 2014, it was a market leader in Australia, New Zealand and Asia. The firm had no presence in Latin America when I joined, and I led our launch and expansion in the region.

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  Gilda's Tryst

  Jan 2008 - Jan 2015

  Co-Founder

  Gilda’s Tryst was a fashion-forward, affordable luxury jewellery and accessories brand, bridging the gap between the high street and high end luxury market. The company retailed its own designs and curated designer collections online, through central London retail stores (Sloane Square, Covent Garden, Bond Street), and via a direct sales strategy using self-employed ‘stylists’.

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  Maternity Break

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2016

  Maternity Break
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  The Food Assembly

  Jan 2017 - Sept 2017

  Head of UK Business

  A VC-Funded European technology start-up operating across 8 countries whose mission is to fight for a fairer food system. The Food Assembly/La Ruche Qui Dit Oui technology platform empowers people to set up online farmer’s markets in their communities, directly connecting their friends and neighbours with local food producers. Led the UK business: strategy, operations, partnerships, communications, marketing. Managed a decentralised national network of over 50 Assemblies, a pipeline of over 150 Assemblies. Show less

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  SJ Helps

  Aug 2017 - now

  Independent Consultant - Startups

  Supporting early-stage startup founders and entrepreneurs with leadership development, mentoring, strategy, financial planning and operational support. Sector experience across finance, technology, retail, consumer and luxury goods.

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  The Life Smarts

  Jan 2019 - now

  Founder

  HERE TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE BUILD REAL WORLD SKILLS.Real world skills are teachable 'life' skills that will support young people to navigate their future in a rapidly-changing world with greater success and wellbeing. Unfortunately these skills aren't a priority within the mainstream curriculum. We draw on the latest evidence based research to support young people (and their parents and educators) through coaching, mentoring, workshops and courses. We also work with neurodiverse young people who may need additional support with foundational social-emotional and executive function skills.(The Life Smarts was formerly known as Root & Bloom) Show less

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  Groove Coaching

  Nov 2022 - now

  Executive & Neurodiversity Coach

  I work with entrepreneurs and leaders in the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. My coaching leverages neuroscience and evidence-based research and is both psychologically minded and somatically informed. I have significant neurodiversity / ADHD coaching training (Certified Neurodiversity Coaching Certification due September 2024) and work with both neurodiverse and neurotypical clients.

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  The Soke

  Oct 2024 - now

  Neurodiversity Coach