Father to one amazing boy who lights up every day
Ben Odgers
Luxury Industry Innovator
Worldwide
Summary
A multi-award-winning leader who changed the game within the wines and spirits sphere. Recognised as a world-class operator who seeks to push the boundaries within the luxury domain.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certificates
Work History
General Manager
MMI - Maritime and Mercantile International, Le Clos Finest Wines and Luxury Spirits
Dubai
2008.05 - 2022.07
- New business start-up and luxury brand development – Business case construction, led concept from initial blueprint to reality (Built multi-site operation within Dubai Airport - 11 outlets 2022)
- Full P&L responsibility – Budget construction and delivery. Double-digit CAGR since 2008 (Annual Turnover +20M USD)
- International recruitment and selection – Crafted and mentored team (71 heads). 27 languages spoken to provide industry standard-setting service levels 24/7/365 (Net Promoter Score +80%)
- Business development – Cross promotions throughout Emirates Group, Skywards, The Times Newspaper, Christie's Auctioneers, etc
- Principal management and product launches – Launched first The Macallan Boutique - Secured globally leading allocations and record sales
- Procurement – Drove market trends having bought and sold globally leading volumes of Japanese Whisky, Caroni Rum, Samaroli bottlings / Head of auction strategy
- Company spokesperson – Media trained and face of Le Clos across variety of platforms – Forbes, Reuters, Wall Street Journal, etc
- Corralled the business through Covid-19, ensuring stability and profitability while putting health and safety of team and customers as priority - Delivered record net profit fiscal 2021/22
Group Stock Controller
Majestic Wines
2001.09 - 2008.04
- HQ – Inventory reconciliation throughout 160 stores across United Kingdom
- Discrepancy recognition and resolution of total company stockholding +75M USD
Senior Store Manager
Majestic Wines
- Aylesbury UK – $4m turnover, refit project manager, attained fine wine store designation based on growth of category
- Store Manager Banbury UK - $3m turnover, designed & implemented event planner concept across whole company, staff training and development programs
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Resources Management/Business Administration
1997.04 - 2001.04
Dual Honours: 2:1
A-Levels - Psychology / Geography / Economics
1994.05 - 1996.05
A/B/E
GCSE's -
1989.04 - 1994.04
9 x A-C Grades
Skills
Business Development
Certification
Good Conduct Certificate - Dubai Police
Additional Information
- Winner - Partnership Initiative of the Year – The Macallan Boutique by Le Clos (Issued by Drinks International Travel Retail Awards · Oct 2019)
- Winner - Airport Drinks Retailer of the Year - 2018 (Issued by Drinks International Travel Retail Awards · Oct 2018 )
- World record sale - Negotiated sale of worlds most expensive bottles of whisky - Macallan 1926 @ 1.2M USD
- Winner - Travel Retail Drinks Operator of the Year Winner (Issued by Drinks International Travel Retail Awards · Jan 2017)
- Winner - Best Partnership Initiative of the Year: Dubai Airports & Le Clos (issued by Frontier Awards 2015)
Interests
A keen cyclist and explorer who is happy being lost in the desert or any major city
Self-confessed whisky, rum and wine anorak
Similar Profiles
JOSSIE VITZILEOUJOSSIE VITZILEOU
Communications Manager at AMVYX S.A, Luxury Spirits & Wines Distribution CompanyCommunications Manager at AMVYX S.A, Luxury Spirits & Wines Distribution Company
Clare DuthieClare Duthie
Liquor Store Associate at Le Chat Noir Wines and SpiritsLiquor Store Associate at Le Chat Noir Wines and Spirits
Binna MegeraBinna Megera
Account Manager at Zanzibar Maritime & Mercantile International LtdAccount Manager at Zanzibar Maritime & Mercantile International Ltd