Joanna Penny

Executive Leadership in Retail Merchandising, Buying and Trading

Jo has over 25 years of experience and a proven track record in retail leadership across large corporate companies and smaller single founder-led brands. Jo has operated at Executive Director level for over 10 years. An expert in multi-channel retailing, building brand vision and customer focused cultures. Jo has comprehensive knowledge of both UK and International retailing models and has a diverse understating of multiple product areas and routes to market.

Experience

• House of Fraser – Merchandise Director
  • Successfully managed over 40% of the annual turnover across Beauty, Fashion Accessories and Intimate apparel, building strong partnerships with luxury and premium brands and delivering significant growth in own label house brands.

• White Stuff – Executive Merchandising Director
  • Influential member of the executive board of directors, working closely with the founders. Delivered a 3-year strategy and operational plans driving record sales and the highest ever EBITDA for the business. Led change through the delivery and successful launch of a new automated budgeting and forecasting system (WSSI)

• Namshi (largest pureplay fashion retailer in the Middle East) – Buying & Merchandising Director
  • Implemented quick win planning and trading practices. Established a trading culture through action focused trading meetings & reporting. Delivered an improved KPI budget process, including inventory tracking and forecasting.

• The Founded.com – Commercial Director
  • Full P&L accountability, led the functions of Merchandising, Buying, Marketing, Content and Customer Services. Instrumental in delivering and on boarding a strong portfolio of brands (sustainability a focus) across Women’s, Men’s and Kidswear.

• First Friday – (Business consultancy)- Senior Buying & Merchandising Consultant
  • Lead consultant implementing best practice planning, trading and stock management for stores and online with luxury Mexican department store, El Pallacio De Heirro. Delivered improved strategy planning documents and presentations, trade meetings, reporting and range planning techniques. Created guidance and focus on building successful brand partnerships with luxury and premium brands.
  • Mentored and coached the project manager and internal stakeholders to deliver a new vendor managed inventory system for Lacoste in Hong Kong.