Protecting and growing your business in a difficult climate
The fashion industry is facing difficult economic times. Consumer demand is stalling and costs are rising. Many well known high street brands have become victims of the credit crunch, while others are taking drastic measures to avoid a similar fate. With this backdrop, what should you be doing to protect and grow your business?
Our panel of experts will address:
• Skinted/minted: when does “inspired by” and “in style of” sail too close to the wind?
• Keeping your brand alive and instigating loyalty online with creative ideas
• How restrictive covenants in employment contracts can help fashion businesses
• Limit your leasehold liability: practical tips for rough times
Date: Thursday 6 November 2008
Time: Registration 6pm
Presentations and Q&A: 6.30 to 7.30pm
Reception: 7.30 - 8.30 pm
Venue: Ten Dominion Street, London, EC2M 2EE
rsvp: koliver@foxwilliams.com / tel 020 7614 2545
Chair
Manny Silverman - former Chief Executive of Moss Bros and Executive Chairman of Norman Hartman Ltd
Speakers
Rachel Cook - Associate, Dispute Resolution group at Fox Williams
Jen McAleer - Client Services Director at brand and digital agency Start Creative
Simon Smith - Head of Real Estate at Fox Williams
Mark Watson - Employment partner at Fox Williams
Speaker Biographies
Rachel Cook – Associate, Dispute Resolution Group Fox Williams
Rachel is a member of the firm’s cross departmental Fashion Law Group and advises on a wide range of contentious issues within the fashion industry, including agency law (in particular the effect of the Commercial Agents Regulations), and infringement of intellectual property rights. Recent cases include advising on the assessment of compensation under Regulation 17 following the decision of the House of Lords in Lonsdale v Howard & Hallam; and advising on the steps that can be taken by a designer, who considers that its work is being copied.
Rachel appreciates that becoming a party to proceedings can be incredibly stressful and frustrating and that the cost in management time to a business dealing with litigation can be more expensive commercially than the legal costs incurred. Therefore, she seeks to offer practical and pragmatic advice, in order to make the process as painless as possible. Rachel has contributed to Footwear Today and Womenswear Buyer on a variety of topics.
Jen McAleer - Client Service Director at media design agency Start Creative
Jen McAleer has overall responsibility for directing Start’s relationships with clients. Her key relationships are with Figleaves and Adidas as well as Royal Mail, Virgin Media, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Management.
Jen is at the core of Start’s business, helping to deliver strategy while minding a lively team of account managers. Her quick intelligence, huge drive and detailed memory ensure that projects run smoothly to their conclusion. Jen gained her formative experience as an account manager at Rodney Fitch & Company. Jen has recently been instrumental in the success of launching figleaves.com, a three year account for Start Creative, concentrating on brand, marketing communications, email strategy and advertising.
Manny Silverman – Silverman Associates
Manny Silverman has spent his entire career, both in the womenswear and menswear sectors of the clothing industry and has considerable experience in most aspects of the business. Having joined Moss Bros as an apprentice tailor in 1946 he went on to hold a number of senior positions in the group, becoming Chief Executive from 1980 to 1987. He subsequently became a shareholder and Executive Chairman of Norman Hartnell Ltd, the Royal Couturiers to H M The Queen and H M The Queen Mother.
He formed his retail consultancy practise Silverman Associates in 1992, which offers a range of ‘hands on’ management/advisory services and can also provide cost effective business plans for SME’s. Since the formation of the practise they have worked with a number of bssa members, and clients have come from both the public and private sectors. Ranging from large to medium and small organisations and including among others; Scottish Enterprise, the Welsh Development Agency, EXPROM-Polish Chamber of Commerce, UN Miller Freeman plc, Panther Group plc, Greenwoods Ltd, the V&A, the National Maritime Museum, Henry Poole Ltd and Hardy Amies plc.
Simon Smith - Head of Real Estate at Fox Williams
Simon heads up the real estate team at Fox Williams. He specialises in commercial real estate work, including real estate investment and development, portfolio management, corporate real estate, commercial leasing, landlord and tenant law and secured lending.
Simon has extensive experience in advising on the acquisition and disposal of investment property, including portfolios, and also advises a number of well known corporate occupiers and retailers on real estate matters in the UK. Recent transactions include acquiring a number of data centres for a leading investor in this sector and managing a large portfolio of central London properties for a major US equity fund. Prior to joining Fox Williams in March this year, Simon headed the property practice of the London office of Faegre & Benson LLP, formerly Hobson Audley for 10 years.
Mark Watson - Employment partner at Fox Williams
Mark specialises in employment law acting for employers and senior executives. In particular, he advises many businesses on restrictive covenants, the employment aspects of business and share sales and outsourcing agreements / TUPE. He advises a number of fashion industry clients on employment matters and has recently provided UK employment advice on a European-wide reorganisation for a major international brand and on the purchase of a high profile retail chain.
Register your place now by calling 0207 614 2545 or email koliver@foxwilliams.com
