How We Support Retailers
Trusted by Leading Retail Brands and Learning Partners
Impact & Results That Matter
Our programmes deliver measurable improvements in capability, confidence and performance across retail leadership, people & change, and career transition.
Stronger Leaders Across Retail
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3–4× ROI from live business improvement projects at Paul Smith
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Leaders stepping into bigger roles and responsibilities
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Greater confidence managing people, performance and change
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Stronger team engagement across stores, regions and head office
Change That Actually Lands
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Faster adoption of new ways of working
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Improved engagement and confidence through change
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Clearer alignment between strategy and day to day behaviour
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Stronger collaboration between stores, field teams and head office
Human, Effective Career Support
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60% lower cost than traditional outplacement
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100% satisfaction from retailers and participants
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People moving into new roles with clarity, confidence and speed
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Protects brand reputation during restructure or change
Every programme begins with discovery - understanding your culture, challenges and goals so the work actually lands.
Retail Projects
Examples of leadership development, change consulting and career transition delivered across leading retail brands.
Paul Smith Leadership Programme
Delivered via the
Fashion Retail Academy
As an Associate Lecturer, I designed and delivered key modules of Paul Smith’s leadership programme, supporting over 200 managers across stores, regions and head office.
Leaders reported stronger confidence, clarity and capability.
People & Change Support – Currys
Delivered as an Associate Specialist
Supported the delivery of leadership and change sessions for Currys managers, helping them reflect on challenges, build confidence and develop practical tools they could use immediately back in store.
Leaders returned to store feeling more confident, with practical tools to lead their teams through change.
Career Transition & Outplacement – Harvey Nichols
Delivered as an Associate Specialist
Provided one-to-one career transition support for colleagues affected by restructure, offering tailored coaching, CV and LinkedIn guidance, and clarity on next steps during a challenging period of change.
One participant secured a new role within 24 hours, with the majority moving into new roles within four weeks.
Every engagement is shaped around the realities of retail, the people involved and the outcomes the organisation needs.
About James Carpenter
Retail leadership consultant and qualified coach
James Carpenter is a retail leadership consultant and qualified coach, working with retailers to develop stronger leaders, support people through change and deliver practical, measurable impact. He brings a rare combination of hands-on retail operations experience, leadership development and coaching, bridging the gap between strategy and what actually happens in stores and head office.
He previously spent over 15 years in senior retail leadership roles across Homebase, Toys R Us and House of Fraser, giving him deep, practical insight into the realities of store, regional and head office leadership.
James has designed and delivered leadership and change programmes across premium and mass retail, working with brands including Paul Smith, Currys, Harvey Nichols, TK Maxx and the Fashion Retail Academy. His work spans leadership development, people and change consulting, and career transition support.
He is a qualified coach and Associate Lecturer, known for his practical, retail-specific approach and his ability to create safe, challenging spaces where leaders build confidence, clarity and capability, particularly during periods of change.
Qualified coach | CIPD Level 5 | Associate Lecturer, Fashion Retail Academy
What Retail Leaders Say
Outcomes from leadership, transition and change work
TJX Europe | Leadership Development
“James provided invaluable support during our leadership meeting, delivering an insightful and engaging session that gave our leaders practical tools they could immediately apply.”
Alisha Duggan
Manager of Buying Operations,
TJX Europe
Improved leadership confidence and practical tools for leading diverse teams
Fashion Retail Academy
Leadership Development
“It's always a pleasure working with James. Not only is he a brilliant coach, facilitator and retail expert, he's also a brilliant human being.”
Jess Doherty
People & Brand Consultant - Fashion Retail Academy
High-impact leadership programmes delivered with credibility, warmth and commercial relevance
Senior Retail Leaders | Career Transition & Outplacement
“What James did was so much more than a CV rewrite. I got my confidence back, clarity on what I wanted next, and the energy to go after it.”
Lynne Herlihy
Head of Retail
Senior Leaders moving forward with confidence, clarity and momentum
What your retail leaders actually need right now
Whether you are developing leaders, navigating change, or supporting people through transition, the work starts with your reality and builds from there.
Trusted by retailers
Paul Smith, Currys, TJX Europe, Harvey Nichols and the Fashion Retail Academy.
A confidential, focused conversation shaped around your priorities.