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Claire Beasley - Director
Claire has worked for some of the biggest names in UK retailing. She started her career at Marks & Spencer and over the next twenty years went on to achieve success with the Burton Group, Sears, Laura Ashley, Arcadia Group and New Look. As well as working in the UK she has also worked in Spain and the United States.
Claire’s career has developed predominantly in retail operations but her focus on people and training and development resulted in her promotion to Director, Retail Personnel and Training at Arcadia in 1999.
After a move to New Look as Retail Operations Director, Claire built on her skills and experience enrolling on the Executive Full Time MBA programme at Henley Management College in 2003. Throughout this period of study, Claire researched the retail recruitment business with ex-colleague and friend Pauline Wood. Having identified an opportunity to specialise in Retail Operations, Claire and Pauline started their recruitment business in 2004.
Building on an excellent track record of delivery, Claire and Pauline launched court & spark in 2008, sharpening their focus to become "the experts" in senior Retail Operations recruitment.
Claire’s experience in Operations, HR and international provides real credibility with both clients and candidates alike and the business is going from strength to strength.
In addition to her responsibilities at court & spark, Claire is also a Trustee of Retail Trust.
You can contact Claire at cb@courtandsparkconsulting.com or on 07901 716657.
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Pauline Wood - Director
Pauline started her career in retail as a Shop Manager with Laura Ashley, rising through the ranks to become their UK Retail Operations Director. During her time on the Retail Board, Pauline led the retail team through the expansion of the business. She was also closely involved in the strategic planning required to take the company public in 1985.
Pauline was seconded to Laura Ashley in the USA in 1992 as part of the team leading a major retail re-structure. She eventually returned to the UK in 1998 to take up a new position as Retail Operations Director with SF Cody. This role grew as the business then acquired Past Times, Ocean Furniture and Hawkshead clothing.
Organisational changes at Retail Variations prompted Pauline to consider alternative ways of working in the retail industry. Following lengthy research and discussions with ex- colleague and friend Claire Beasley, they identified an opportunity to specialise in Retail Operations recruitment and their business has grown quickly since 2004.
Building on an excellent track record of delivery, Pauline and Claire launched court & spark in 2008, sharpening their focus to become "the experts" in senior Retail Operations recruitment.
Pauline’s considerable industry experience gained both in the UK and USA provides real credibility, but more importantly clients and candidates alike will be working with a retail professional who really understands the roles and relationships, based on first hand, personal experience.
You can contact Pauline at pw@courtandsparkconsulting.com or 07799 674860.
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Andrea Sheerman - Senior Partner
Andrea commenced her retail career in the late ‘80’s working for both the Burton and Sears Groups, initially in a field VM role then progressing to flagship store management. During the ‘90’s Andrea broadened her retail experience working in the independent menswear and footwear sectors, enjoying success both as a Store Manager and as a Trainer for the field teams. Faced with a restructure in 2003 Andrea took this opportunity to evaluate her skills and challenge herself further, choosing to move into the retail recruitment industry.
Andrea’s first recruitment remit was to deliver on volume, retained assignments for both fashion and non - fashion brands at store management level. She quickly developed her head hunting and candidate management skills and due to her success became the Manager of a team of consultants, resourcers and account managers. She then received a further promotion to Operations Manager accountable for both the strategy and delivery of all the Company’s assignments.
When an opportunity arose in 2005 to set up and grow a new regional office as a managing consultant with a national recruitment company, Andrea accepted the challenge. In this role she was able to develop her client relationship and business development skills as well as capitalise on her search and selection and networking experience. This allowed her to successfully deliver at store management and area manager level, whilst simultaneously growing the office by a further 3 Consultants.
In 2008 Andrea decided to join court & spark in order to further her personal development and continue to grow her reputation as a professional recruiter, dedicated to achieving excellence in all she undertakes.
Andrea’s approach is based on quality not quantity, preferring to build long-term relationships with clients and candidates alike. She consistently demonstrates high standards of integrity whilst acting as an ambassador for all parties she represents, with a focus not only on skills but culture fit.
Her 5 years experience as a recruiter specialising in the retail sector, coupled with a background within retail operations spanning 15 years, gives Andrea the credibility as well as industry knowledge to support both her candidates and clients in achieving the outcomes they desire.
You can contact Andrea at as@courtandsparkconsulting.com or on 07979 241079.
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