Within retail Simon has a wide range of experience starting as a store manager then area relief manager, supporting new start managers, and acting as "trouble-shooter" for under-performing stores. He then moved into field management, where he held roles as Retail Audit Controller and then Area Manager, responsible for over 30 stores. In these roles he achieved awards for Audit Controller of the Year, and Area of the Year, and encouraged and coached a number of store managers to develop their own careers into field management.
In the mid-90's he studied for, and passed, his Wine & Spirit Diploma, and was awarded a scholarship trip to Jerez, Spain, to study the production of Sherry.
After 6 years in retail he moved into a training and development role. Initially as Regional Field Trainer, he designed and delivered a full training package for new start managers in 180 stores. The role included a mix of classroom-based training and in-store coaching, in the wide range of skills and knowledge required by Store Managers.
Following the formation of First Quench, through the merger of Victoria Wines and Thresher, Simon took up a national training role, organising and delivering Product Knowledge training for the 18,000 staff in over 2,500 stores nationwide, training, developing and managing a team of over 50 Product Specialist Trainers.
During this time he played a key role in delivering a company wide Culture Change programme that was delivered to staff at all levels of the business. The programme focussed on creating a customer service orientated culture, whilst encouraging a high degree of personal development.
Simon then moved into the role of Training Development Officer, responsible for expanding the training provision of First Quench, and marketing the skills and knowledge of the training team to external customers.
In 2000 Simon left First Quench to form his own business, Vinifactor, which provides wine based social events, for corporate, and private, clients, which are structured to encourage the use and development of key soft skills, such as team working and communication.
He is currently working on developing a range of training courses focussing on management and development skills that utilise his wide experience.
When he is not delivering training, or studying wine, Simon regularly practices Shukokai Karate near his home in North Wales, also travelling to train with the UK National SKF Karate squad in Birmingham. In August 2002 he competed in the KSI Karate World Championships, which he found to be an awe-inspiring experience.
He has drawn on these experiences to enhance his training skills, especially in the areas of Goal Setting and Achievement.
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