Mark Cooke (He/Him)
About Mark Cooke (He/Him)
Mark Cooke serves as the Chief Commercial Officer at Wickes, a position he has held since 2017. With extensive experience in retail and commercial management, he has previously worked at Kingfisher plc and various roles at Homebase and B&Q.
Current Role at Wickes
Mark Cooke has served as the Chief Commercial Officer at Wickes since 2017. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the commercial strategy and driving sales growth for the company. Wickes operates in the home improvement sector, providing a range of products and services to customers in the United Kingdom. Cooke's leadership has been instrumental in shaping the company's approach to market dynamics and customer engagement.
Previous Experience at Kingfisher plc
Before joining Wickes, Mark Cooke worked at Kingfisher plc as the Group Sales & Pricing Director from 2016 to 2017. In this position, he focused on sales strategies and pricing models across the group's retail brands. His experience at Kingfisher contributed to his understanding of the retail landscape and equipped him with skills relevant to his current role.
Educational Background in Statistics and Actuarial Science
Mark Cooke studied at City University London, where he earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in Statistics and Actuarial Science from 1990 to 1994. This educational background provided him with a strong foundation in analytical skills and quantitative methods, which are essential in commercial decision-making and strategy development.
Career Path in Retail Management
Mark Cooke has extensive experience in retail management, having held various positions over the years. He worked at Homebase as a Buyer in multiple capacities from 1996 to 2001, and later as a Senior Buyer for Garden Furniture from 2001 to 2003. His tenure at B&Q included roles as Buying Manager for Garden Furniture & Barbecues and Category Trading Manager from 2003 to 2010. Additionally, he served as TradePoint Director and Commercial Manager at TradePoint UK from 2010 to 2016. This diverse experience has shaped his expertise in buying, sales, and commercial strategy.