Press Room - Archive
Simon Jersey weave business development 'dream team'
July 2009
Corporate clothing specialist Simon Jersey has strengthened its business development
team to capitalise on demand for the company's bespoke products and managed service
at home and abroad.
The two new appointments bring 36 years' industry experience with them and have
been recruited to introduce more large scale customer contracts to sit alongside
household names like Avis and Emirates.
Shane Bray joins as commercial director whilst Julie Hogg takes up the new position
of director of new business.
Shane, who has worked in the clothing sector for almost two decades, rejoins Simon
Jersey after he successfully bought shares in, developed and co-ordinated a full
management buyout of a leading sportswear company.
Whilst previously working at Simon Jersey between 2003 and 2005 he introduced a
new business platform that brought in business worth more than £16 million in just
two years, which included the company's largest single contract win, Emirates Airlines.
Other notable contract wins whilst at the company included Sodexo and the Relaince
Security.
He will now work with the new business development team to further enhance the strategy
and structure and bring in more bespoke clothing and managed service clients. The
first step was to appoint director of new business Julie Hogg.
"Julie has a fantastic reputation in the industry and has delivered consistent
top line growth for each of the companies she has worked at," said
Shane.
"She understands the needs of clients that require a tailored clothing solution
which is backed up by a quality account management and will be able to demonstrate
how Simon Jersey can provide the best solutions to help them through the current
economic climate."
"Her list of client wins and industry expertise both complements and adds to
the core client base at Simon Jersey and I am looking forward to announcing new
customers in the near future."
A long and decorated career for Julie began 19 years ago when she headed up sales
at Dewhirst Corporatewear.
The experience she gained led to her appointment as sales director and then managing
director at Vermilion Plc, which had a turnover of £35 million.
In 1998 Julie joined Rainbow Corporatewear as sales and marketing director and was
later promoted to group marketing director for the Crown East Group, which incorporated
Rainbow Corporatewear, Rainbow Direct, Faithful Ltd, Beechtree, Crown East Europe
and Crown East International.
During her time in the industry Julie has secured contracts with leading companies.
"When I was approached by Shane to head up the new business development team
at Simon Jersey I knew instantly that it was the right move for me,"
commented Julie.
"The company has an enviable reputation in the industry for its award winning
catalogue business, but people are less aware of the impressive list of blue chip
clients it has served for many years."
"The fact that Simon Jersey is already clothing hundreds of thousands of wearers
with its bespoke clothing and aftercare programme is testament to the quality of
its products and services."
"I will be working very closely with buyers to ensure that they get the best
uniforms at the right prices and I am looking forward to working with the talented
team at Simon Jersey."
Chris Claydon-Butler, managing director at Simon Jersey said: "Shane and Julie
are a new business dream team."
"Together they posses an unrivalled knowledge of the industry and the individual
sectors in which Simon Jersey works in, which will help us continue to set standards
and lead the way in bespoke clothing solutions."
Background on Simon Jersey
Simon Jersey, one of the pioneers of the corporate clothing industry, is part of
the Swedish-owned Kwintet group which has a $600 million turnover and is Europe's
undisputed market leader for work clothing.
The company employs 170 people at its headquarters at Altham and was established
37 years ago by Lancashire entrepreneur Simon Moyle.
It supplies off the shelf and bespoke corporate uniforms to sectors including leisure,
hospitality, catering, healthcare, beauty and retail. Blue chip clients include
Emirates Airlines, Vision Express, Asda, P&O Cruises, Avis, Sodexho and Pets at
Home.
A recent string of award wins has further bolstered the company. Its prestigious
and widely publicised contract with Emirates Airlines clinched the 'Deal of the
Year Award' at the Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards in late 2008.
At the clothing industry Oscars in 2009, The Company Clothing Awards, Simon Jersey
claimed an unrivalled hat trick of accolades after fending off stiff competition
in the account management, catalogue and website categories.
The company was also short listed for two of the coveted Be Inspired Business Awards
after demonstrating excellence in both international trade and customer service.
For further information, please contact the press office:
Slater PR
Catherine Prest
East Park Lodge
East Park Road
Blackburn
BB1 8DW
Tel: +44 (0)1254 295 580
Fax: +44 (0)1254 295 581