Mark Lowe

Mark Lowe 3 Wisteria Way, Abington Vale, Northampton, NN3 3QB Mobile - 07759363932 E-Mail – [email protected] KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE Pro-active, commercially minded and customer-focussed professional with excellent communication skills. Passionate and motivated manager with genuine interest in health and wellbeing. Skilled at influencing and direct selling in order to drive business objectives. Solution oriented team player with a proven track record of success. CAREER HISTORY Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service September 2009 to date

Firefighter

Employment as a wholetime Firefighter.

Professional Cycle Marketing – Cycle King Northampton – 2000-2009 Apr ’04 – August 2009

General Manager

Cycle King is the UK’s largest independent cycle retailer. Reported to a Managing Director and responsible for all 7 staff & with full accountability for turnover, all revenue streams, operational matters & personnel issues. Worked to strict sales targets and motivated team to achieve against commission-based salary structure. Northampton was ranked in the top 5 retail sites for financial performance out of the estate of 28. • Northampton Cycle King store awarded Professional Cycle Marketing prize for strongest sales performance against target 2008/09. Other awards include customer service award (revenue generated by repairs business). • Achieved 2008/09 LFL sales growth of 4% in tough trading conditions. 2007/08 LFL 7%. • Proactively identified opportunities for additional revenue and successfully pitched for and won B2B contracts through the Government’s Cycle to Work scheme. Generated leads and closed business with numerous local companies. • Secured significant repeat business by fostering a strong customer service ethos within the team, using customer experience as competitive advantage. • Supported other stores in region, providing best practise training and operational support. • Successfully implemented a development scheme within the store, resulting in career progression for Assistant Manager to General Manager position. • Developed strong relationships with local schools and colleges, resulting in robust work experience scheme and talent pipeline for junior store recruitment.

Mar ’02 – Apr ’04 Assistant Manager Supporting General Manager in general operation of retail store. Worked to sales and customer service targets, regularly exceeding objectives. Liaised with local businesses and consumers to raise profile of store. • Sole responsibility for merchandising and point-of-sale marketing. Awarded Professional Cycle Marketing award for peak trading merchandising 2003. • Mentored work experience students and acted as point of contact for higher education. • Sole responsibility for Sunday trading, line management of 4 staff.

Feb ‘00–Feb ’02

Cycle Technician

August ‘96–Jan ‘00 Shop Assistant Manager Supabikes, Northampton

Cycle King Northampton , progressing to Trainee Assistant

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS Retail NVQ Level 2 Customer Service NVQ Level 2

1998

Cytech Technical 2

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Aylesbury Training Group

First Aid at Work training

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British Red Cross

Health & Safety at Work

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Beds & Luton Fire and Rescue

Diversity & Equality Certificate

2008

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Beds & Luton Fire and Rescue

Northampton School for Boys 1993-1996 9 GCSE’s (including Maths and English)

PERSONAL INFORMATION Co-habiting with partner. Interests include health & fitness, nutrition, snowboarding, bikes and most sports. Full clean driving license, own transport.