Lu Radford

Experienced Footwear Technologist and Compliance professional with over 15 years' experience within the fashion footwear industry. Strong technical knowledge across product development, quality assurance, supplier management, compliance and manufacturing, with extensive experience working alongside international factories throughout Asia. Commercially minded and solutions-focused, with a proven track record of improving product quality, reducing returns and leading technical projects from concept through to production.

Senior product technologist - DESIGN ASYLUM LTD [now 'Creators of mischief Ltd']

(2023-09)

Junior product technologist - DESIGN ASYLUM LTD [now 'Creators of mischief Ltd']

(2022-04 - 2023-09)

Technical assistant - DESIGN ASYLUM LTD [now 'Creators of mischief Ltd']

(2018-05 - 2022-04)

Store supervisor / Technical trainee - DESIGN ASYLUM LTD [now 'Creators of mischief Ltd']

(2014-03 - 2018-05)

Sales Assistant 'Irregular Choice' Brighton - DESIGN ASYLUM LTD [now 'Creators of mischief Ltd'] - Brighton

(2010-10 - 2014)

Within 6 months (part time) training in HQ I was off to China to get into the thick of it. Sink or swim - which I loved. I flourish in a fast paced environment, perfect for the fashion footwear industry! How I handled myself in China, at what felt like such a young age, is probably one of my biggest life achievements.

Senior product technologist / Junior product technologist / Technical assistant / Store supervisor / Technical trainee / Sales Assistant - DESIGN ASYLUM LTD [now 'Creators of mischief Ltd']

(2010-10 - 2026-07)

• Managed technical development from initial concepts through sampling, fitting, grading and production approval
• Worked closely with Buying and Design teams to deliver commercially viable products that met brand, quality and performance standards
• Managed component sourcing, raw material approvals and last development throughout the product lifecycle [including developing bespoke components to meet design requirements]
• Identified testing requirements and supported design consolidations to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Managed UK and overseas Quality Control teams across footwear and accessories production
• Introduced production line inspection processes that reduced delays, remediation costs and short shipments
• Investigated manufacturing issues, implemented corrective actions and reported directly to the CEO
• Reduced return rates on key defects from approximately 5% to under 1%, maintaining an overall annual return rate of around 0.8%
• Travelled extensively throughout Asia to oversee suppliers, production facilities and testing laboratories
• Managed critical path activities across sampling, production and [often back to back] product launches
• Built strong relationships with international suppliers and implemented quality agreements to improve consistency
• Worked alongside suppliers and brand partners to achieve commercial objectives without compromising quality
• Managed all product compliance activities, including REACH requirements, Restricted Substances Lists (RSL) and due diligence processes
• Coordinated 3rd-party testing and maintained technical documentation supporting each shipment/ product
• Produced technical manuals, compliance guidance and quality standards for internal teams and manufacturing partners
• Delivered technical training to UK retail teams and overseas QC teams on inspection standards and product quality

Footwear Concessions Manager 'Topman' Stevenage - LLOYDS SHOES LTD for Arcadia Group LTD - Stevenage

(2006 - 2009-08)

Managing the footwear concession in its entirety for the branch.

• Stock management, merchandising
• Customer service [and on occasion fittings]
• Delivering sales performance; My cumulative profit increase actually lead to me being headhunted by the Irregular Choice Regional manager (former area manager for Lloyds) when Arcadia were unable to transfer my employment to Brighton
• Leading the day-to-day operation of the department

BA (Hons) - Criminology and Sociology - Brighton University (2008-09 - 2012)

A-Level - Law / Sociology/ Psychology / English Language and Literature - North Hertfordshire College (2006-09 - 2008)