Darren Winter, MA

Experience

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  Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc

  Jun 1993 - Mar 1998

  Checkout Manager

  Managed 26 checkouts, kiosk, customer service desk and customer facilities.Over one hundred team size, Supervisors and operators.District TrainerNumber one in UK for sales of National Lottery scratch cards.

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  Max Spielmann

  Mar 1998 - Jan 2002

  Branch Manager

  Multi site Management of three stores. Rebranded stores under Max Spielmann after merger of Klik Foto.Managing photo processing on site in 20 minutes.Working with sales targets, daily and weekly kip's.

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  UNIQLO

  Jan 2002 - Jun 2003

  Deputy Store Manager

  Solihull was the most profitable store in the company, turnover £1mRecruited and trained personnel for London and Midlands stores.Assisted structure of company HR, Store Operations policies and procedures.Identified local market trends, which helped influence marketing decisions, stock buy and stock allocations.Introduced new operations, e.g. manual ordering system for all stores to run in conjunction with EPOS replenishment and SAP.

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  Feather and Black

  Jun 2003 - Mar 2006

  Retail Store Manager

  YOY sales growth of 43%, turnover around £750,000k paSuccessfully negotiated a maintenance contract to cover UK stores.Involved in problem solving issues on IT, logistics and customer service.Assisted in planning and operation of exhibiting at the Ideal Home Show -exceeded sales target by 20%.Increased brand awareness through features and product placement in local and national media e.g. BBC and Birmingham Post. and submitted company appraisal scheme and policy.

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  Feather and Black

  Jun 2007 - Apr 2011

  Retail Store Manager

  Company training manager.Accountable for £1.75m sales budget for company store events.Managed a high profile store of 6000 sg ft, £1m turnover, meeting company KPI's and high standards of customer service and visual merchandising.Selling mid to up market bedroom furniture, high quality linen and accessories.Established business forum with Cheltenham Borough Council.Developed product range with company suppliers.

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  Teesside University

  Sept 2013 - Jul 2015

  Responsible for canvassing views and identifying trends from students & student representatives and communicating in formal meetings with University senior Managers.After collation, these are discussed with the academic Co-Chair of the Student Experience Committee, where a meeting agenda is formulated. Action points and recommendations are followed up, with some points escalated to University senior managers for consultation. This role has influenced changes in University policy and facilities to benefit students, such as changes to the User Experience and User Interface of Blackboard, with a different layout and new html links, further funding for a part time mental health case worker and the concept of a one stop shop for student support issues.The University & Students Union recognised achievement in this role through an award as Representative of the Year for 2014/15. Show less As a student representative in a team of four for the School of Computing, we were trained to gather, listen and action confidential student problems and signpost the students to University resources. The issues were diverse and consisted of mental health issues, financial problems, confidence, bullying & suicide threats.All of this was achieved through information gathering, by motivating students to talk to us through social media chats on a secure page, holding private drop in sessions, student surveys, school newsletters, fun events and attending regular meetings with University Management & Student Union trustees.The University & Students Union recognised our achievement through awarding the School of Computing representatives as team of the year in 2014/15. Show less

  • Governor

    Jul 2014 - Jul 2015

  • Co-Chair Student Experience Committee

    Sept 2013 - May 2015

  • Student Representative

    Jan 2013 - May 2015

  • International Student Ambassador

    Sept 2013 - May 2014
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  SOLARGLIDE LIMITED

  Jun 2014 - Jan 2016

  Marketing and PR Manager

  Solarglide is a global maritime supplier, where I managed a team through multichannel marketing to build the brand, secure leads, achieve sales & deliver excellent customer experience.With an agreed budget, this was achieved using marketing tools such as Buffer, Campaign Monitor & Social Bro to send regular communications through social media channels (Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Linked In, You Tube & Google Plus), e-shots, blog posts, creating & distributing press releases to contacts I had established through networking on social media and Skype calls such as ‘The New York Times’, ‘Human Rights At Sea’, ‘Sailor’s Society’ and specialist publications. Self management of this strategy using marketing KPI’s, resulted in successes such as; e-shot 6 figure sales in 2015, 100% increase in company turnover in 2015, 100% customer satisfaction - recorded from qualitative and quantitative data using Survey Monkey.In particular, I developed a CSR initiative where Solarglide sponsored and supported the ‘MVS’, who are a local voluntary service which assists the Port of Tyne, Royal Navy and RLNI to respond to search and rescue situations along the River Tyne. Solarglide committed to donations of essential equipment & creating ‘VLOGS’ to build awareness through our website, social media channels and maritime media websites. Having established a Marketing department, I motivated & trained my team through daily/weekly review meetings, regular 121 support sessions to monitor support needs & performance, & the creation of training plans & appraisal feedback.My role further extended to providing IT support through sourcing a reliable fibre internet connection, Microsoft 365 platform & Sharepoint Intranet system for security & efficiency. As a result, Solarglide achieved an ISO 9001:2008 accreditation, which is organised using 'Qooling' (QHSE web app). Show less

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  Coast & Country Housing

  Jun 2016 - Jan 2018

  Marketing and Communications Co-Ordinator

  Social housing company with over 10,500 properties, protecting integrity of brand & reputation through projects, internal/external PR & campaigns. Editor of Your Homes customer magazine and author of Company articles for business pages of the Evening Gazette.

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  Duco Digital LTD

  Oct 2017 - now

  Company Director

  Duco Digital deliver award-winning marketing strategy, marketing consulting, marketing automation, and websites. Under the Duco Digital Training brand, they deliver online BCS-accredited courses, boot camps and training in an exciting range of business and technology subjects, including Artificial Intelligence, Business Analysis, Data Protection, IT Ethics and Management at different levels. These range from short courses (awards), focused certifications at essential, foundation and practitioner levels, diplomas and bundles; designed to fit with career goals, available time to learn and budget. Show less

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  Redcar & Cleveland Business Network

  May 2018 - Jul 2023

  Manager

  A free, independent and volunteer-led, monthly meet-up of businesses from Redcar and Cleveland, who have forged a positive business community to help each other overcome the challenges of running a business.Supported by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, why not join us at our FREE networking meeting every month for helpful advice, opportunities and connections to grow your business? Together working in groups, we achieve more.

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  BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

  Mar 2020 - now

  Approved Course Trainer

  BCS Artificial Intelligence - EssentialsBCS Artificial Intelligence - FoundationBCS Blockchain - EssentialsBCS Foundation Business AnalysisBCS Foundation Data ProtectionBCS Practitioner Data Protection

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  Duco Digital Training

  Mar 2020 - now

  Company Director and BCS Accredited Trainer

  Duco Digital Training deliver online BCS accredited courses, bootcamps and training in an exciting range of business and technology subjects including Artificial Intelligence, Business Analysis, Data Protection, IT Ethics and Management at different levels. These range from short courses (awards), focused certifications at essential, foundation and practitioner levels, diplomas and bundles; designed to fit with career goals, available time to learn and budget. As well as strengthening skills and knowledge in a current role, these industry-recognised qualifications are recognised in over 200 countries, and can also open up a range of exciting new opportunities with a free one-year membership to BCS which offers professional networking, CPD and career support when learners pass their exam with Duco Digital.Learners can study anywhere with an internet connection, using their phone, tablet or laptop, and have up to 1 year to complete the course and take a remote proctored, multiple-choice exam. Successful learners receive a globally recognised professional certification, BCS membership with access to professional networks and career support.Along with their partner 3Quantum in Malaysia, we work with educational and Governments in the Middle East, Malaysia and Indonesia.We support medium to large organisations who have a need to attract and develop talent within their organisation and work with new partners in Higher Education and Colleges overseas to further equip students with technical knowledge and skills to help then their careers and learning journey. We are committed to making learning as easy as possible. Our courses are designed so you can learn at home or work, without excessive reading or time-consuming assignments. Upgrade your skills and become indispensable to your company. For more information, please contact us to arrange a short discussion. Show less

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  Coding Dojo

  Oct 2021 - Dec 2021

  Digital Marketing Instructor

  Teaching and supporting students from Saudi Digital Academy to graduate a 15-week boot camp in Digital Marketing with the goal of gaining employment in a digital marketing role in Saudi Arabia.

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  Coding Dojo

  Feb 2022 - Oct 2022

  Technology Sales Instructor

  Building a 12-week bootcamp in Technology Sales including writing the syllabus, competency map, assignments, rubric (marking criteria), quizzes and researching and writing curriculum content for lessons, then delivering instruction onsite in Riyadh at Alfaisal University.The course is designed to equip students from Saudi Digital Academy with the skills, knowledge and capability to gain a job in technology sales after course completion, advising and leading companies in Saudi Arabia with a sales plan and strategy to grow their business and benefit from the benefits of digitalisation.Course modules include:Marketing theorySales theorySales planning and strategyAccount managementRelationship buildingCommunication skillsPresentation skillsLead management and nurturingBuilding sales processesProduct lifecycleMarketing and sales automation with Hubspot, Salesforce, PipedriveEmerging technology including AI, AR/VR, blockchainISO standardsInternet selling regulations, GDPR, data protectionIP and copyright lawProblem solving decreasing salesBuilding a portfolio and CV for a job interview. Show less