Paul Drew

Brand, Growth & Marketing Leader with 20+ years' experience helping agencies and consumer businesses strengthen market positioning, drive new business growth and build commercially effective brands. Experienced in translating brand strategy, storytelling and creative excellence into pipeline generation, pitch success and long-term client value. Proven in partnering with founders, executive teams and agency leaders to sharpen positioning, elevate visibility and support sustainable growth.

Combines strategic thinking with hands-on delivery across marketing, partnerships, communications and business development within high-growth, entrepreneurial environments.

Fractional Brand & Growth Director at Paul Drew Consultant (2013-07 – Present)

Operating as a senior fractional Brand & Growth Director, supporting organisations through growth, transformation and leadership transition.

• Led global brand and marketing strategies across international markets, aligning brand, content and communications to commercial priorities within digital-first environments.
• Partnered with fashion, lifestyle and consumer brands to refine brand positioning, storytelling and customer experience across digital and retail ecosystems.
• Developed thought leadership, case studies and content programmes that strengthened market visibility, generated inbound opportunities and supported commercial growth.
• Oversaw brand systems, messaging frameworks and global rollout, ensuring consistency across regions and channels.
• Led and coordinated distributed marketing teams and agencies, providing clear direction and governance.
• Advised senior leadership on internal communications, narrative alignment and organisational messaging.
• Reported marketing performance to boards and executive teams, providing insight, recommendations and brand value assessment.

Commercial Director – Brand, Marketing & Strategy at A New Kind Of Kick (2019-07 – 2023-09)

Senior leadership role within a brand and perception agency, working with complex, high-value propositions across consumer, fashion, wellness, technology and services sectors.

• Led new business growth through proposition development, pitch narratives and commercial storytelling that strengthened client engagement and acquisition.
• Supported brand, positioning and communications projects for consumer-facing and lifestyle brands operating in competitive, high-growth markets.
• Directed cross-channel brand campaigns and activations, aligning PR, digital, social and content initiatives to deliver cohesive brand presence.
• Oversaw content strategy, messaging and narrative development, including thought leadership and proposition articulation.
• Partnered with agency leadership on growth initiatives, helping shape propositions, pitch narratives and new business opportunities.
• Supported leadership teams with investment narratives, positioning and communications strategy.
• Held responsibility for marketing transformation, improving clarity, structure and execution across channels.
• Acted as senior client partner to founders and executive leadership teams.

Co-Founder – Brand & Marketing Strategy at A Sports Brand Agency (2019-10 – 2024-06)

Co-founded a specialist brand and marketing agency focused on purpose-driven storytelling, brand identity and communications within sport and culture.

• Led global brand positioning and messaging projects for organisations operating across multiple markets.
• Developed content, campaigns and communications strategies aligned to audience trust and reputation.
• Delivered brand rollouts, toolkits and governance frameworks to ensure consistency across stakeholders.

Country Manager – UK & Ireland at Denham the Jeanmaker (2012-05 – 2013-06)

Handpicked to lead UK & EIRE operations for the premium lifestyle denim brand during a period of commercial and structural turnaround.

• Led brand repositioning and distribution strategy, improving sell-through, reducing oversaturation and strengthening premium market presence.
• Enhanced brand visibility through targeted PR, influencer engagement and storytelling initiatives.
• Drove commercial recovery through operational restructuring, cost efficiencies and strengthened P&L management.
• Strengthened relationships with key wholesale and retail partners, optimising trading terms and brand presentation.
• Delivered substantial uplift in replenishment performance through improved training and customer experience.

Group Head of eCommerce & Digital Trading at JD Sports Fashion Group PLC (2011-03 – 2012-05)

Senior group role responsible for eCommerce buying, trading and digital brand presence across JD Sports, Size?, Bank Fashion and Scotts.

• Led group-wide eCommerce buying and trading strategy, aligning digital, merchandising and brand teams.
• Instigated a major eCommerce platform transformation, enhancing customer experience and online performance.
• Played a key role in launching CecilGee.com (now Tessuti.co.uk), delivering strong early growth.
• Strengthened relationships with key international brand partners, supporting portfolio expansion and category growth.

Senior Buyer – Menswear Fashion at ASOS PLC (2007-01 – 2011-03)

Joined ASOS during its early high-growth phase, contributing to its evolution into a globally recognised online fashion destination.

• Scaled the menswear brand portfolio from 18 to 350+ brands, securing partnerships with globally recognised fashion and lifestyle labels.
• Played a key role in shaping category strategy across denim, sport and streetwear.
• Partnered cross-functionally with marketing and creative teams to enhance product storytelling and visual presentation.
• Delivered significant improvements in sales mix and category performance.
• Reduced customer returns through optimisation of imagery, content and product presentation.
• Integral to ASOS's first major brand marketing partnership with Diesel SpA., aligning campaign, content and commercial executionand buying alignment.

Retail Management Training – Oxford Summer School Academy, Keble College

Retail Operations – Sussex College

Leadership & Inspiring – BIRA

Retail Marketing – BIRA