RBLI appoints new Head of Commercial

Dec. 10, 2012 - PRLog -- Launched in 1919, the charity provides welfare, housing, training and support to the Armed Forces community, as well as employment and work-related assistance to ex-Forces personnel and disadvantaged and disabled people.

RBLI supports is valuable work with its social enterprise division which manufactures pallets and signs, provides mailing, print and distribution services, and offers a specialist fulfilment service with a product portfolio ranging from toys to furniture.

Appointed in November, Geoff comes to RBLI with significant worldwide commercial experience.  Before setting up his own management consultancy offering ‘go to market’ advice and interim management to the B2B sector, he worked for office2office plc group for over 11 years.  As Group Business Development Director, Geoff saw the company through its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the main London Stock Exchange in 2004, with a market capitalisation of £64.6m and turnover of £126m pa in 2003.

Before joining office2office plc group, Geoff was headhunted by WH Smith Business Supplies. As National Contracts Director he created a B2B national contracting team which, under his leadership, took the company to number one in the marketplace.

Geoff also spent eight years at Wang Laboratories where his responsibilities included creating, marketing, selling, and implementing business services to Wang Distributors and their clients in 66 countries, and running the largest international account held by Wang Labs.

As Head of Commercial at RBLI, Geoff will be tasked with developing RBLI’s social enterprise businesses and finding new routes to market for the charity’s people support services.

Of his appointment Geoff said: "It is a privilege to work for an organisation that has done so much to help injured and ex Forces Personnel. The more successful I am in building sustainable demand for RBLI’s products and services, the more beneficiaries the charity can help. That’s a challenge I am eager to meet.”

RBLI Chief Executive Steve Sherry CMG OBE said: “We are extremely pleased that Geoff is joining the team. This new role, heading up the commercial department, will provide the lead on all partnerships and business opportunities aimed at continuing our ambitious growth plans. Geoff’s extensive business development and management experience will be invaluable in giving the commercial edge to complement our charitable excellence.”