Guy Riddell
Managing Director
Hong Kong
Summary
Dynamic international leader with a proven track record of driving substantial business growth for luxury and premium brands across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the UK. Expertise in building and engaging high-performing teams to achieve exceptional results, complemented by a strong background in start-ups, turnarounds, new market openings, and brand expansion. Demonstrated success as an omni-channel retailer and multi-functional leader, providing valuable insights as a member of Global Executive Leadership teams. Committed to fostering innovation and excellence in all aspects of brand development and operational strategy.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Managing Director
Peninsula Merchandising Ltd, (Retail Division of Peninsula Hotel Group)
08.2019 - Current
- Provide global leadership for luxury omni channel retail, lifestyle & cafe business, including brand and product development, customer experience and full P&L accountability.
- Delivered strategic growth plan and led new market entries doubling the business in 5 years.
- Doubled revenue between 2020-2024 driving channel, category, and market growth.
- Led new market opening and investments across Mainland China & Japan, built and developed local teams, infrastructure, and channel development strategies.
- Led significant growth and engagement of the Peninsula Boutique brand through; new market & retail openings, e-commerce channel development, along with social, digital and brand development.
- Launched new product innovations and new categories and launched into new channels to support year-round profitable growth.
- Led further partnerships across South-East Asia, North America, and UK to support seasonal growth with key strategic partners, retailers, distributors, and franchise partners.
Retail Director, Asia
Brew Dog Plc
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Lead Asia region, with full P&L accountability, and responsible for delivering retail sales; new market entry and business development, PR and marketing including digital and social media campaigns.
- Defined and delivered Asia expansion strategy for retail and franchise operations, secured new franchised partners, identified new retail locations, and led market opening project in South Korea & China and franchise buy out in Japan.
General Manager, South East Asia
Godiva Chocolatier
09.2016 - 08.2018
- Provide strategic leadership across Hong Kong and South-East Asia region to build and deliver 5-year growth plan including retail development and new market entry, with full omni-channel P&L accountability.
- Developed and delivered 5-year strategic plan.
- Delivered regional growth plan achieving 40% EBIT growth in first year with focus on driving retail store growth, new concepts, launch into e-commerce channels and driving new product innovation.
- Led successful new franchise market openings in Thailand, Vietnam, and Mongolia.
- Led new market openings, including franchise agreement negotiations, market launch strategies with sales in each market ahead of expectation.
General Manager, Europe & Middle East
Godiva
08.2014 - 08.2016
- Provide leadership of EMEA region, with full P&L accountability across omni-channel, multi geography business with over 85 retail stores & cafes plus a further 250 points of sale.
- Built and delivered strategic turnaround plan, setting out route to profitability over 3-year term.
- Delivered turnaround with growth of +20% in 2015 & 2016 including an EBIT journey to profitability, through driving channel performance, business restructuring, focus on growth and exit of non-profitable operations.
- Significant growth in e-commerce channel:
- Built and launched new e-commerce platform, achieving significant year on year growth in the UK, targeted activation plan to build awareness, drive traffic and deliver sales KPI's.
- Identified and executed key marketing and product opportunities, building awareness across new and existing customer base.
- Increased PR and Media coverage by over 2500% with key brand activations, sponsorship of high-profile activities and PR coverage of key seasonal products resulting in winning several “Best of” awards for key seasons such as Easter, Valentines, and Christmas.
- Won RL UK Retailer of Year Award for Godiva in 2015
Business Development Director
Business Development Director, EMEA
09.2011 - 08.2014
- Lead franchised businesses across, Middle East and Turkey region, Russia, and UK, including brand development, business development, new projects, marketing, merchandising and VM to deliver exceptional brand standards and deliver business plans.
- Deliver retail strategy including regional market & consumer analysis, operating model (JV, franchise or company owned), franchise partner search, new location pipelines, product strategy, store design and store project delivery.
- Carried out strategic review of European retail market to deliver key growth opportunities.
- Doubled the size of the UK business across all channels.
- Led successful new franchise market entry in Saudi Arabia and across Middle East.
- Developed regional retail and café franchise operating model, built retail location pipeline, led market entry strategy and brand launch across both UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Head of International Franchise
WHSmith
01.2011 - 09.2011
- Develop international franchise strategy, secure new partners, lead new country and store openings.
International Supply Chain Manager
COSTA COFFEE
02.2006 - 01.2011
- Developed international supply infrastructure, across 27 countries to support the opening of over 500 new stores globally including strategic acquisitions (M&A) in Europe.
International Food Manager, International Franchise
Marks & Spencer
02.2003 - 01.2006
- Store Manager – Marks & Spencer, Glasgow Region – April 02 – Feb 03
- Head of Visual Merchandising – Marks & Spencer, Glasgow Region, Sept 00 – April 02
- Commercial Manager - Marks & Spencer, Glasgow Argyle St, Nov 98-Sept 00
- Commercial Manager - Marks & Spencer, The Gyle, Jan 98 –Nov 98
- Commercial Management Graduate Trainee – Marks & Spencer July 96 – Jan 98
Education
M.A. - Hotel & Catering Management
Dundee University
01.1993 - 01.1996
Morrison’s Academy
Crieff, Perthshire 01.1982 - 01.1993
Skills
Business expansion initiatives
Strategic business leadership
Strategic innovation oversight
E-commerce strategy
Global market expansion
Strategic partnerships
Organizational strategy
Timeline
Managing Director
Peninsula Merchandising Ltd, (Retail Division of Peninsula Hotel Group)
08.2019 - Current
Retail Director, Asia
Brew Dog Plc
08.2018 - 08.2019
General Manager, South East Asia
Godiva Chocolatier
09.2016 - 08.2018
General Manager, Europe & Middle East
Godiva
08.2014 - 08.2016
Business Development Director
Business Development Director, EMEA
09.2011 - 08.2014
Head of International Franchise
WHSmith
01.2011 - 09.2011
International Supply Chain Manager
COSTA COFFEE
02.2006 - 01.2011
International Food Manager, International Franchise
Marks & Spencer
02.2003 - 01.2006
M.A. - Hotel & Catering Management
Dundee University
01.1993 - 01.1996
Morrison’s Academy
01.1982 - 01.1993
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