Matthew Pickford

Address: *** – **** Richards Street, Vancouver, B.C. V6Z 3E3

Email: acyhg3@r.postjobfree.com

Tel: 604-***-****

Summary of Experience

* ***** ********** ** ***** and marketing for a specialist horticultural company

In field consulting experience in International markets including the Middle East, India and South East Asia

First class honours degree in Conservation Biology and Ecology

Summary of key skills

Ability to quickly develop strong knowledge of specialised or complex products

Highly motivated with strong communication and interpersonal skills to build and maintain excellent customer relationships

Team orientated with a enthusiasm for helping to develop others

Work Experience

Nov 2013 – D.P.D. Ltd. (Date Palm Developments), Baltonsborough, Somerset, UK

Present Position: Sales and Marketing Manager

Working for a plant tissue culture and nursery business, specializing in the production of Date Palm plants for export.

Managing sales to already established markets largely centred on the Middle-east, Gulf States and North Africa. Researching, analysing and developing new market areas including Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, India, Australia and South East Asia.

Due to the long term nature of the product, strong emphasis is placed on developing and maintaining relationships with customers ranging from Government Ministries, NGO’s, businesses and individuals.

Advising customers and supporting technical enquiries by maintaining a sound working knowledge of the technical production processes, liaising with government bodies, being aware of current market activity and keeping up to date with academic research.

Coordinating export shipments and understanding individual countries import regulations and phytosanitary requirements. Helped to develop and contributed to significant growth in key markets of India and Thailand by working with customers and government organisations to ensure a successful mechanism for importing our product was possible.

Promoting the company's global profile and reputation by representing the company at conferences and trade shows, presenting in agricultural seminars, producing marketing literature and managing the company website and social media pages.

Nov 2011- D.P.D. Ltd. (Date Palm Developments), Baltonsborough, Somerset, UK

Nov 2013 Position: Sales and Marketing Executive

Gaining a deep understanding of the company’s production technology and aftercare advice to ensure customer enquiries could be answered appropriately.

Communicating with production staff to ensure they were up to date with current and future orders and shipments are ready to be dispatched as per scheduling.

Handling customer payments, including letters of credit and arranging export shipments always ensuring accurate invoicing, correct freight bookings and clear communication with customers.

Dealing with a wide range of customers from different countries and cultures and further developing a conscientious approach and cultural sensitivity.

Updating and maintaining customer and sales databases for analysis and reporting to management.

May 2010- Keystone Environmental Ltd

June 2010

Contracted to independently conduct detailed reptile surveys for Keystone Environmental on

potential development sites. Work involved finding, identifying, mapping and recording presence of reptiles. Results and analysis were then reported back to key stakeholders.

Jan 2010 – Rushley Farm, Chilthorne Domer, Yeovil, UK

Oct 2011 Position: Farm Assistant.

Assisted in the day to day running of the farm business focusing on animal care, tractor driving and machinery operation. Work was conducted both independently and as part of a team and flexibility was key to ensure work was always completed within the deadlines of time and weather conditions. An ability to prioritise work was essential to make sure specific jobs were completed at the correct period in the farming calendar.

Other Experience

March 2010- Volunteer work for the Campaign to Protect Rural England

May 2010

Participating in the Making Local food project I undertook research to trace local food produce

from food outlets along their supply chains to the primary producer. This involved the arranging and conducting of interviews with employees and owners from a range of different businesses and collating the information obtained for analysis.

Education

Sept 2006- The University of Exeter

June 2009 BSc (Hons) Conservation Biology and Ecology 1st Class Degree

The course was challenging and diverse, developing both academic and practical skills. There was a strong emphasis on field studies encouraging strong team work and communication skills with efficient research and competent data-handling being essential. Modules studied include Marine vertebrate conservation, Population and community ecology, Biodiversity and conservation, Quantitative methods in ecology.

Honours project titled: Seasonal variations in food availability cause a disparity between foraging rates among adult and juvenile geese.The findings of the report are now published the Journal of Animal Ecology as part of a wider study.

Sept 2004- Strode College, Street, Somerset

July 2006 A-levels: Biology (A), Geography (A), Mathematics (B)

AS-level: History (B)

Sept 1999 - Huish Episcopi School, Langport, Somerset

July 2004 GCSEs: 12 (5 A*s, 5 As, 2 B’s) Including Mathematics and English

Additional Courses and skills

Feb 2014 - Level 3 award in Leadership and Management – Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)

IT Skills

Computer literate having used computers throughout academic life and having obtained the British Computer Society Level 2 qualification. Particularly competent in all major Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook and Power Point.

Hobbies and Interests

Keen sportsman, have played many sports for various teams. A strong passion for nature and the environment. Currently a member of the Somerset wildlife trust. I have previously volunteered with the British Trust of Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) and attended training courses including habitat surveying.

References

Available on request

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