I’m a Senior Brand Marketing Leader with 20+ years of experience across premium and luxury fashion, retail and wellness, delivering commercial results while elevating brand excellence. I’ve managed multi-million pound portfolios, built high-performing teams and developed strategies that translate brand decisions into business growth. My background blends creative ambition with practical commercial insight, enabling me to lead with both rigor and imagination. In recent years I’ve focused on brand strategy—defining identity, tone of voice, visual direction and storytelling across every touchpoint, from retail and e-commerce to wholesale and PR. I’ve steered brands through pivotal moments of change, created seasonal campaign frameworks and forged strategic partnerships that build long-term equity. Working independently as a consultant has sharpened my initiative and adaptability, while my commercial background ensures I can lead a team or work autonomously at pace.

Vanessa Jennings

I’m a Senior Brand Marketing Leader with 20+ years of experience across premium and luxury fashion, retail and wellness, delivering commercial results while elevating brand excellence. I’ve managed multi-million pound portfolios, built high-performing teams and developed strategies that translate brand decisions into business growth. My background blends creative ambition with practical commercial insight, enabling me to lead with both rigor and imagination. In recent years I’ve focused on brand strategy—defining identity, tone of voice, visual direction and storytelling across every touchpoint, from retail and e-commerce to wholesale and PR. I’ve steered brands through pivotal moments of change, created seasonal campaign frameworks and forged strategic partnerships that build long-term equity. Working independently as a consultant has sharpened my initiative and adaptability, while my commercial background ensures I can lead a team or work autonomously at pace.

Available to hire

I’m a Senior Brand Marketing Leader with 20+ years of experience across premium and luxury fashion, retail and wellness, delivering commercial results while elevating brand excellence. I’ve managed multi-million pound portfolios, built high-performing teams and developed strategies that translate brand decisions into business growth. My background blends creative ambition with practical commercial insight, enabling me to lead with both rigor and imagination.

In recent years I’ve focused on brand strategy—defining identity, tone of voice, visual direction and storytelling across every touchpoint, from retail and e-commerce to wholesale and PR. I’ve steered brands through pivotal moments of change, created seasonal campaign frameworks and forged strategic partnerships that build long-term equity. Working independently as a consultant has sharpened my initiative and adaptability, while my commercial background ensures I can lead a team or work autonomously at pace.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Brand Strategist & Marketing Consultant at Independent
January 1, 2024 - Present
Advising premium fashion, lifestyle and wellness founders on brand positioning, identity development, campaign direction and go-to-market strategy. Built end-to-end brand strategies designed to perform commercially; directed creative campaigns and brand shoots; supported 10+ founders with positioning frameworks, tone of voice and messaging that resonate with premium audiences.
Senior Retail Brand Manager, UK at Stanley/Stella
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024
Advised on range, buying strategy and product positioning for independent UK brands; delivered 96% YoY growth in new customer acquisition across 20 key accounts and 150% YoY turnover increase; led pan-European teams and ensured brand alignment with partner goals.
Head of Sales & Marketing at Inkpact Marketing
January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2022
Contract engagement to deliver a commercial turnaround and new market strategy; conducted market analysis, rebuilt the sales pipeline and sharpened prospecting cadence; mentored a team of three on deal strategy and sales execution; aligned messaging across sales and marketing to strengthen brand positioning.
Head of Brand & Communications / Repositioning Lead at Rosamund Muir
January 1, 2021 - January 1, 2022
Led a full repositioning of a luxury footwear brand, elevating market presence to attract global luxury wholesale partners. Redefined brand identity, tone of voice and visuals, built a storytelling framework and seasonal campaigns; secured partnerships with Neiman Marcus and Net-a-Porter; achieved 50% MoM lead growth.
Head of Sales, UK at Sassy Scents Fragrance
January 1, 2020 - January 1, 2021
Launched the UK wholesale channel from zero, onboarding 150 retailers including 6 national accounts; developed pricing, trade terms and sales reporting; ensured consistent brand experience across partners and drove 50–100% monthly revenue growth.
Sales Manager, UK & Ireland at Vagabond Shoemakers
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2020
Managed £5m portfolio across major retail partners; drove 20% annual revenue growth; defined account strategy and joint business planning; acted as brand guardian to ensure campaigns and activations reflected brand standards across UK & Ireland.
Retail Operations Manager at Steilmann GmbH
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2016
Built UK retail operations from ground up to £2.5m turnover; led a 25-strong team across 40 locations, overseeing buying, merchandising, retail marketing and store operations.
International Sales Manager at Lara Bohinc
January 1, 2008 - January 1, 2009
Expanded international distribution for a British luxury brand; cultivated relationships with Harrods, Harvey Nichols UAE and other high-end retailers; ensured brand positioning across markets.
Brand Manager — Balenciaga at Selfridges
January 1, 2004 - January 1, 2006
Managed in-store Balenciaga brand world at Selfridges; upheld brand standards and client experience; collaborated on seasonal campaigns, in-store storytelling and product launches.

Education

Footwear Design at London College of Fashion
January 11, 2030 - April 27, 2026
Personal Fashion Styling at London College of Fashion
January 11, 2030 - April 27, 2026
Certificate in Fashion Design at Auckland Institute of Technology
January 11, 2030 - April 27, 2026

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Retail, Consumer Goods, Wholesale & Distribution, Media & Entertainment, Professional Services