General Manager @ Studio OL3
July 2016 - July 2022
Award-winning Architectural Design Studio
Studio OL3 is an award-winning architectural design studio based in Manchester, specialising in retail, commercial and education sectors. The company has been recognised for its innovative designs and has received multiple prestigious awards.
Efficient Business Management and Growth
As the General Manager of Studio OL3, I was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business, ensuring that all processes ran smoothly and efficiently. As the third member of the team, I helped the founders develop the business from the ground up. I was critical in designing and developing workflows, processes, and administrative systems that supported efficient business management and growth.
Running Operations
As General Manager, I was responsible for keeping the back end of the business tight — handling finances, HR, admin, and general ops. I built out systems that made it easier to manage projects, track deadlines, and keep things moving without unnecessary stress. A lot of my focus was on making the behind-the-scenes stuff invisible — so the design team could get on with their work without roadblocks.
Principal Designer for the Iconic Dr Martens
One of the major wins during my time was helping the studio land and support the Dr. Martens global retail account. Studio OL3 became the lead design partner for all new and updated stores — a big step up in profile and responsibility. The work was fast-paced, high-expectation, and very visible. It pushed us to level up operationally while still delivering design work that stood out.
The partnership has been successful, receiving multiple award nominations and prestigious awards which helped us gain international recognition and expand its client base.
Small, Well Organised Successful Team
Despite our growth in terms of clients, projects, and revenue, we remained a small, well-organised team. This allowed the company to maintain a focus on quality and ensure that projects were completed successfully. By prioritising client satisfaction, the team ensured that clients were looked after and that projects were completed to the highest standards.
This approach helped to build a loyal client base, and within just 3-4 years of being founded, the company turned over almost £1 million in a single financial year, a testament to the success of the small, well-organised team.