NEIL WHITEHEAD

BA (Hons), RIBA

Neil Whitehead's current involvement in business consultancy and mentoring has arisen from his extensive experience with young and growing businesses as well as top international brands.  A qualified architect, he founded Stuff International Design in 2005 to combine his commercial knowledge and forward thinking with his architecture and brand design skills to bring clients “commercial success through branding and architectural design” with many notable successes (www.stuffid.com).  As a result, he has been invited to sit on a number of company boards to share his expertise.

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Stuff International Design Ltd has offices in London (UK), St Petersburg (Russia), Qingdao (China) and Dubai.  In Russia, Neil is a leading architectural and design operator and Stuff International has just completed its 50th project in its 12th different Russian city. 

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Stuff Multichannel, a specialist in web development, internet video and digital design company, was set up by Neil and Jon Mason in 2003.  

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Stuff Innovation was set up by Neil and invests time and knowledge in companies in exchange for equity.

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Other directorships:

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PDA Search and Selection, Non-Executive Director: appointed in 2009.

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Hooper Africa Trust, Trustee:  Neil was born in Kenya and so had a particular interest in being involved with this charity set up by Roger Hooper, a well-known wild life photographer.  It sponsors the secondary education of underprivileged girls in and around the Masi Mara.

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Baggers Originals, Non-Executive Director: Appointed in 2010.  A start-up children's wear company.

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Other roles:    
   
UCL: Business Mentor to PhD student businesses at one of the top 5 universities in the world.

London Southbank University: appointed as resident entrepreneur in 2011, advising postgraduates on business strategy. An award winning centre for enterprise and innovation.

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Business Mentor and Lecturer at: Kingston University, Falmouth College of Art and Design, Manchester University and Ravensbourne University. External tutor to the MA Industrial Design Course at University of Arts London Central St. Martin’s. 

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Earlier experience:

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2002-5:     Ashley-Carter Whitehead Ltd, co-founded ACW Ltd with Edward Ashley-Carter. Clients included China White nightclub, Taman Gang Club, The Gadget Shop and Robert Dyas.

1999-2002    Fitch & Co.  After Fitch PLC was acquired by Lighthouse, Neil joined Rodney Fitch at Fitch & Co, part of the Virgin Group at that time.  Involved with Retail Design, Brand Communication and Architectural Development. 

1984-1999    Fitch PLC.  Neil was involved on the global board and was on the London Board of Directors and helped grow it to one of the largest UK design businesses, enabling it to be sold to Lighthouse (now part of WPP) for £23 million (13x multiple).  During his time there he was: Development Director; built a new financial services sector and developed the on-line business; Managing Director of the London office and Creative Director.

 

Awards

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Neil has been nominated for and won a number of the major awards organised by the design industry, including: DBA Design Effectiveness Award (1989), D&AD Silver Award (1984), Design Week (1995), Design Week Environmental (1998) and Structured Steel.