About me

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have 13 years experience in the Interior Design industry, with 10 of those years being specifically involved in Corporate Brands and Identities, Corporate roll-outs nationwide within the Republic of South Africa, and management & implementation of the aforementioned roll-outs.

For the last 10 years I have jointly owned & managed an Architectural and Interior Design company (Baseline Design Studios) with my life partner. We have completed both local (South African) and International projects.

My life partner is relocating to the UK (Dutch EEA passport) & shall be completing Post graduate studies in Architecture. I intend to accompany him on a Family member visa that allows me to work in the UK, and further to that we wish to relocate permanently to the UK. The UK has always been a second home to us, with many of our family members and friends residing there. We intend to be residing in the UK by September 2011.

Of special interest is my love of the motoring industry, and my pride and joy was the achievement of winning the bid to be the design company to establish the MG Rover brand within South Africa in 2001. We worked in close collaboration with MG Rover UK and established the dealerships countrywide.

We were entrusted with the design, implementation, Landlord liasal, local authority planning approvals, procurement and project management.

The client trusted us to accurately uphold the brands and maintain the integrity of the brands through every single aspect and detail.

I was further granted the prestigious Bentley, Lotus and Proton contracts for implementation countrywide. I have a particular passion for working with the Heritage of a brand.
Another strong passion of mine is the “green drive” in the world. I have researched and read about a variety of subjects regarding “greening”. I have a passion for solar panels (PV panels & evacuated tube types), recycling of grey water, collection of rainwater, insulation and design that encompasses this, and so much more. I would be quite excited to work in a position that encompasses this subject.

I attended a market research group recently for BP & would love to work for a large corporate like this in the implementation of their branding within the UK. (i.e. their retail sector in developing their brand at their petrol stations and convenience stores for example).

I do not want to work in an Interior designer position within an Interior design or Architectural practice.

Instead, I would like to utilize my intrinsic knowledge of corporate design & branding, and therefore be involved in a Managerial & Implementation, overseeing level. Thus - an In-House designer overseeing the interior design & planning of corporate roll-outs e.g. convenience stores etc.; liasing with interior designers, graphic designers, construction teams, strategy and planning management. I would be the link between all the team members and Head office management.
I would be prepared to work my way up the corporate ladder and start at an assisting level to management who perform these functions, with the proviso of working my way into a management level.

Having run my own company, I am quite adept at management and I have had up to 15 people under my command. Any large corporate seeking this type of knowledge in implementing their brand countrywide would be exactly what I am specifically looking for. I would be especially interested if they are wishing to incorporate green technologies in their new branding and designs.
I would also be excited to work for a large corporate in a position that could possibly encompass the following:

To bring about and implement a new brand identity to South Africa whilst based in the UK. I am not opposed to travelling from the UK periodically to South Africa to oversee projects.

Incorporating my knowledge of South Africa (having travelled all over S.A.) to bring about a change in both the overall look and design of their branding, as well as a public mindset change.

I have many, many ideas and concepts that stretch from advertising, promotions to design.

As a personality I am extremely career driven, with a passion and an energy that I bring to my work. I view myself as an ever positive individual, always with a smile on my face! I work well under extreme pressure, especially when I have had to make important decisions on-site (crucial timing & financial implication decisions usually). I love to manage staff and bring out the best in people, even when they feel undervalued. I tend to give them a purpose in life and newfound energy. I am also not afraid to cut the staff who are truly not showing any interest in the company or its future, and are leading to its demise.

I currently pioneer new Retail ideas in South Africa, and would relish the opportunity to pioneer new retail concepts of Fairtrade and other marketing ideas to stimulate my employer's brand.
I work hand-in-hand with numerous designers and architects in South Africa, so I see my strong points as a manager being able to manage the process and identify the strong and weak points. I can make quick, valued decisions if required on-site and get the project to finalization. I work within strict budgets and tend to be a perfectionist and career driven. I have no children and am highly committed to my work and my projects.

My valued clients, I can say with confidence, are sad to lose me and are contactable for references should you need to verify my work ethic.
A portfolio is also available upon request.
I look forward to hearing from yourself & what possibilities there are in the UK.

Yours sincerely,

Kerin Hinckley

Ms Kerin Hinckley