ASSOCIATES

Paul is a highly experienced supply chain improvements manager. His extensive knowledge and understanding of Retail and FMCG supply chains has been built over more than 20 years of line management with big brand products.

Paul's previous roles include:  Supply Chain Manager Northern Europe, Quaker Oats; European Distribution Director, Twentieth Century Fox; and Distribution Project Manager, L'Oreal.

As a consultant and interim manager, Paul consistently delivers service, efficiency and cost benefits to clients through his hands-on approach and effective analytical and operational management skills. 

Lisa Derbyshire BA (Hons), MCILT, MMS

Lisa is a business development and improvement specialist.  Her wide ranging general management skills, honed and developed across different market sectors, have helped organisations to successfully deliver operational business change programmes efficiently and profitably, including entry and expansion into new markets.

Her dynamic approach, commercial acumen and skills in Kaizen, business re-engineering and general management support her highly credible track record of success.

Lisa joined Bass as a Graduate Trainee before moving to TNT Logistics, Unipart, The Evenser Group as Operations Director and Deluxe Media Services Ltd where she was UK Director for Distribution and Supply Chain Account Development.   Her sector experience includes: automotive, FMCG, retail, entertainment and services.  She also holds a national and international CPC.  

Mark Lewis

Mark has an extensive background in technology and retail management. Born into a retailing family, he later built a 12-store chain of fashion and outdoor clothing stores, before selling this and becoming IT Director of a new retail venture from the creator of River Island.

It was in this role, in 1998, that Mark launched his first eCommerce business – an award winning site that had customer facing functionality years ahead of its competition, but which came in on time (10 weeks, from standing start to go live) and budget.

After a period as a senior manager in a £9m technology start-up, Mark was invited by the CEO of River Island to assist them with their first eCommerce venture. This began his consulting career.

After delivering a number of varied projects for River Island, Mark has assisted a number of other clients, including Oasis Stores, Hewlett-Packard, Acorn Hotels (an International Hotels Group based in Spain), & Berry Brothers & Rudd, in launching eCommerce ventures and/or other projects.

Mark has a bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Miami, where he majored in Music Theory & Composition, and minored in Jazz Piano Performance. He still plays & writes – when he has the time!

Blaire Palmer BA, PCC, Coach University Graduate

Blaire is a specialist creative thinking partner and coach for high-ranking executives. Her experience ranges from working with individual entrepreneurs to develop creativity, to building large-scale coaching programmes for companies. Blaire is also one of a very few UK professionals to have achieved Professional Certified Coach status.

As both a facilitator for groups and in one-to-one interventions, Blaire partners key decision-makers in developing innovative yet sound, profitable solutions to business challenges. She brings her years as an executive coach along with her training in creative thinking and her own vibrant, energetic style to all her work.

Previously, Blaire enjoyed 10 years as a successful journalist with the BBC producing, among others, Radio 4's Today and Woman's Hour programmes. In parallel with her consulting work, Blaire also speaks and writes about creativity in business.

Anne Macartney

Anne is a senior buying and merchandising professional with considerable international experience spanning 17 years. Anne's expertise includes strategic supplier management, international sourcing, negotiations, and selection.

Anne made her mark at senior level during seven years with Stena Line handling buying and supply chain across Europe for a fleet of 36 ships, and rising through the ranks with notable results. Anne was subsequently headhunted by BAA where she spent five years as Buying and Merchandising Director and Board Member for BAA World Duty Free.

Tim Greig MSc, PMI member

Tim Greig is a retail technology and business process specialist. He provides clients with practical advice and help on all aspects of retail systems, including: appraisal and diagnostics, solution design, and the selection and implementation of appropriate solutions.  A highly competent individual, Tim brings a pragmatic but inventive approach to his work.

Tim began his 20 year IT career in Central Government, moving to the Burton Group (now Arcadia and Debenhams), where he rose to Senior Executive level. Since then he has provided high-end consultancy for both UK retail fledglings and blue-chip companies such as Woolworths, Sears plc, Booker/N&P, and Hamleys.

Professor Leigh Sparks MA, PhD

Leigh Sparks is Professor of Retail Studies at the University of Stirling . He brings to PPS an ability for innovation and high-end strategic thinking.

Leigh's current research examines structural and spatial change within retailing, with additional work on logistics and employment. His experience is international with a particular focus on North America , where he has conducted research into Customer Service in Retailing. He has also been Visiting Professor at the College of Human Sciences , Florida State University .

Previously at the University of Stirling , Leigh has held roles as Director of the Institute for Retail Studies, Dean of the Faculty of Management and head of the Department of Marketing. He is the author of numerous publications in the field and is also co-editor of the leading European academic retail journal, The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research