After serving a term as elected president, I took over as merchandising officer of the Apollo Association at a time when post-COVID supplier closures, high prices, and low stock meant members simply could not get the pins, cufflinks, studs, and blazers they wanted.

Within six months I had fully restocked our traditional ready-made items at about 80% lower unit cost than previous quotes, and organised a 30-member order of custom blazers at roughly 30% below the going rate of an Oxford tailor. Within ten months I added new product lines, including crested ties and jewellery boxes, and oversaw the procurement of over £6,000 of stock and around 3,000 individual items. Prices to members were held flat in real terms, average margins improved by roughly 56%, and on conservative assumptions of sell-through over five to six years, the projected net profit of c. £7,000 will help fund the Association’s bursaries for students at Oxford.

Here is an example of some of the items that I have procured. If you would like to work with me on solutions for your club, society, or association, please use the contact form.