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HEAD TO HEAD: FASHION UK & GLOBAL LICENSING
When you have two such high profile industry executives as Patrick Bailey and Hannah Miles join the same licensee within a matter of months of each other, inevitably an interview needs to be secured. LSB decided to go one better and asked Patrick, Fashion UK’s coo, and Hannah, group managing director, to quiz each other, finding out everything from what their goals are and their views on retail to what makes their day to day roles exciting.
Question time Hannah asks Patrick… Is Fashion UK what you expected? “Yes it is. My expectations were very high prior to joining and I haven’t been disappointed as the activity both in the UK and Europe is very exciting. I have met and now work with great new colleagues at Fashion UK in Leicester/Germany and the Global team in London. The added bonus has being able to work with you, having known you for many years!” What is the winning formula at Fashion UK? “Without doubt our extremely strong licence portfolio, which is driven and supported by all of our team throughout the business. What is Fashion UK’s best asset? “It has owners who understand licensing and who are also open to change to ensure we are continually progressing.” What makes day to day work exciting? “I would say what makes it personally rewarding is knowing we are all working from the same page.” What are you looking forward to now? What’s next for Fashion UK? “The potential for our strategy in Europe and the opportunities we are creating there. We have opened Fashion UK GMbH (Germany) where we have been extremely well received. Also the great opportunities in the Nordics too, where we have a great team fully engaged with retail. The addition of established and new brands to the portfolio and the growth potential in new product areas is very positive for the future.” What have you learnt from moving that you maybe didn’t realise before? “That commuting to Leicester from my Leicestershire home, instead of to London, is much better! Although I do love London.”
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LICENSING SOURCE BOOK EUROPE 2018