After completing an HND in Business Studies with Marketing and Fashion in the early 1980s, Amanda enjoyed an extensive 30-year career as a fashion buyer. She first joined the Burton Group as a buyer’s assistant and through the group’s excellent training and development programmes, she quickly became a buyer and then senior buyer. After 10 years with the now Arcadia group, she moved on to spend time as a senior buyer at M&Co, Hamells (C&A), GUS – Mail Order, and a buying consultant for an embryonic internet business and Beales department store (branded merchandise). She has been responsible for turnover up to £80m per year and teams of up to 16, including quality control and supply management. Amanda was a member of the Arcadia group Heartland initiative.
Amanda has successfully developed a number of assistants who have gone on to be senior buyers and helped merchandise team members to develop their careers.