...my story so far.

Ever since I can remember I’ve been fascinated by brightly coloured images of far-flung places; and after graduating university with an honours degree in Photography I spent the early years of my career working as a freelance photographer, before being hired by one of Europe’s top portrait studios, where I was privileged to photograph literally thousands of people from every walk of life.

My transition from behind-the-lens, to becoming an experienced leader in the industry started in 2008. While working for the travel-giant Thomas Cook, I saw an opportunity for the company to make significant commercial gains by creating an in-house Photography Dept and subsequently became the youngest person in the company's history to present a business case at board level; allowing us to start shooting our own proprietary content. Of course, leading a team of full-time travel photographers requires a considerable amount of globetrotting, so after 5 years on-the-road & having finally plucked up the courage to ask my (now) wife to marry me, I elected to focus on my passion for the commercial aspects of photographic production.

In 2014 I was recruited as Head of Lafayette Photography UK, leading the turnaround of one of the oldest photographic companies in the world, and three years later took charge of commercial & strategic photographic operations for Carnival UK; with P&L accountability for over £13m in sales, and photography operations across a fleet of 11 cruise ships.

In 2020 I moved away from the world of photo-retail, and back into the realm of creative production with my current role leading the Production team at the UK creative agency CHS, where I manage operations at our 10,000ft² commercial studio overseeing photographic content production for brands such as Kingfisher, Lakeland, HSBC, Kenwood, DeLonghi, Müller, Screwfix, and Gü.

Today, I'm a focused, determined, and authentic Photographic Production leader with a passion for staff engagement, developing people, and delivering results through high performing teams. I'm able to challenge the status quo within established businesses, and confidently deliver & influence at board level. I have strong strategic vision, and the experience to execute it operationally.

Although no longer behind-the-lens directly, my love for brightly coloured images of far-flung places endures, which is hopefully evident in the photographs on this site, serving as a reminder of my foundations as a working photographer.

My full career summary is detailed below, please feel free to connect on LinkedIn via the button at the bottom of the page.

stuartjackson77@outlook.com
+44 (0)7904 324 740



CAREER SUMMARY

An authentic professional with 20 years experience across a range of photographic sectors, including creative/commercial, travel, education and direct retail. I believe great businesses are built on great relationships, and my passion for developing world-class teams is second only to my passion for the power of stunning visual content. Whether developing external client relationships, overseeing creative projects, or building strategies for future growth, I have a track record of commercial success. I’m impeccably organised, with proven business acumen and exceptional stakeholder management skills; offering strong creative & strategic vision combined with pragmatic operational execution. Excellent analytical skills ensure my approach is always data-driven, enabling me to quickly deliver long-lasting & positive results. Previous colleagues describe me as trustworthy, collaborative and fun.


KEY ACHIEVEMENTS

• Re-modelling of the Thomas Cook Photography Dept. Transforming the operation from a basic ‘picture desk’ - to become a true in-house photography studio, commissioning or shooting 40% of all visual content for the UK business, reducing reliance on Rights Managed content by 80%
• As the catalyst for the transition, I became the youngest person in the company’s history to write and present a business case at board level
• Played a key role in the development of the visual style for a number of large travel brands, including Thomas Cook, Airtours, and Club 18-30
• Reversal of a declining trend in net revenues within the photo-retail accounts for a leading global cruise brand, driving it to a position of growth for the first time in eight years
• Engineered the turnaround & merger of three academic photography businesses. Rebranding and creating a new strategic vision. Overturning a pattern of historical decline and realigning the business to ensure future commercial success



CAREER

Feb2021-Present Production Manager, CHS Agency

• Managing photographic content production for brands such as Kingfisher, Lakeland, HSBC, Kenwood, DeLonghi, Müller, Screwfix, and Gü
• Relationship management of all Photography clients
• Oversight of multiple content production projects, running concurrently both in the studio and on location
• Accountable for resource planning & day-to-day operations of a 10,000ft² commercial photography studio with a team of 25


Aug 2017-July 2020 Account Manager, Photography, Carnival UK (P&O Cruises, Cunard)

• Key link between CUK & it’s photographic partners, operating across 11 world-class cruise ships
• Working collaboratively to develop photographic services, tailored to the individual brand
• Analysis of data & insights to inform the development of products & long term commercial strategies
• Commercial / strategic responsibility for 3 concession partners
• Delivered £1.2m of incremental net revenue within the first 18 months
• Led a complex tender project over a two year period resulting in the transition to new photography partners, growing net revenue from £2.8m to £3.6m over the minimum life of the contract
• P&L accountability for £13m in photo sales, financial forecasting and reporting up to Exec level


Mar 2014-July 2017 Director / Head of Lafayette UK (Est.1880), Ede & Ravenscroft Group

Reporting directly to the board, I was appointed to lead the turnaround of their academic photography business which was experiencing trading difficulties following mismanaged mergers. Over a three-year period I spearheaded the transition from a loss making operation, to a position of 30% YOY growth

• Comprehensive restructuring of the business, including consolidation of three regional offices
• Implementation of a detailed cost-out program e.g. rationalisation of assets & renegotiation of contracts
• Re-envisioning all photographic products/services
• Intensive process redesign, focusing on greater efficiency of shoot production processes
• Curtailing the shrinkage of market-share via a structured client-retention plan
• Re-aligning staff to new mission/vision/strategy
• Design and development of a complex and bespoke software package
• Line management of 12 full-time staff and over 30 freelance photographers


Sept 2008-Mar 2014 Photography Studio Manager, Thomas Cook Group

• Managing a team of six Photography Execs & in-house Photographers
• Developing the ‘look & feel’ of photographic style, and setting the brand guidelines in order to accurately reflect the company’s vision for each of its businesses
• Negotiating the best possible licensing terms for royalty free & rights managed content
• Developing and curating a library of 250k+ photographic assets
• Commissioned and produced 50+ international photo shoots over a five year period
• Managed an annual shoot budget of £200k+
• Training and leading the department, running workshops on lighting, post production & best practice for working in the field


May 2005-Aug 2008 Studio Manager, Venture Chester/Manchester

• Managing a team of 12 staff at one of the brand’s biggest flagship studios
• Responsible for the hiring & development of the team to ensure all studio output is on-brand, and of the required standard both technically and creatively


Jun 2004-Jan 2005 Volunteer, Save the Children, El Salvador & Honduras

• Leading a small team working to alleviate poverty & create sustainable income solutions for rural communities. This was a dangerous & challenging period for foreign aid workers in Central America, due to the hangover from recent civil wars & an ongoing struggle with gang violence in the region; with international volunteers often being targeted by the gangs. However I view this as one of the formative periods of my life, and which continues to define my outlook on the world today


EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & I.T. CAPABILTY

PQE: Professional Photographic Practice & Copyright Law
BA (Hons): Photographic Communication 2:1
Other: BTec in Audio Visual Studies, A-Level Photography

Software: Fluent in all common Microsoft/Mac packages, plus extensive knowledge of Photoshop and other advanced image editing/workflow software
Development: Experience of working with international teams of developers to create bespoke software packages. Sitting on IT steering committees and ownership of major development projects from concept & specification, design & build, UAT, budgetary control and responsibility for final sign-off before release to live environment
Photographic: Understanding of commercial print & digital processes, advanced colour management and all photographic processes, workflows, and lighting techniques


INTERESTS

I have travelled extensively throughout the world, including considerable independent travel far from the beaten track. As an experienced trekker, I have hiked to Everest Base Camp and The Inca Trail, as well as through the Amazon jungle and some of Europe’s highest mountain ranges. In 2011, I summited Kilimanjaro raising money for charity in the process, and more recently scaled Mount Toubkal, the highest point in Morocco’s Atlas mountains.

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