We’ve Won An Award!

We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are the winners of a significant accolade: Multiple Footwear Retailer of the Year at the Footwear Industry Awards 2014!

This is the second time we have been awarded this prestigious prize, which makes it a particularly sweet victory for us!

Our Managing Director, Charles Clinkard, is the Grandson of the company’s founding members and has footwear retail in the blood! At the age of 12, Charles began working on the shop floor in the Middlesbrough branch during school holidays.

After his A-Levels, Charles went on to the trainee manager scheme at Bally, eventually running their third largest store at the top of Regent Street. In 1989 he returned to the Clinkard Business, and the rest, as they say, is history.

When Charles joined the Clinkard company, we had 6 branches. This has since increased to 32, with over 600 employees.

“It is important to uphold the traditions of my grandparents. They still have value today,” says the Managing Director. “We have some very good people on board, with lots of loyalty and commitment. As the company continues to grow, I would like to see some of our strong management develop to play a more senior role in the business.”

What does winning an award mean for your business?We were delighted to win the award as it is recognised by suppliers, other retailers and the judges of what we do and have achieved.

What is your proudest moment in your career?
Being appointed Managing Director of the Company and continuing in the footsteps of my Father.

How do you feel about the future of footwear retailing?
We need to ensure we continue to understand the needs of our customers work with the key brands and continue to offer a high level of customer service across our formats to ensure customers keep coming back.

What do you do when you are not driving sales of shoes?
Spend time with my wife Alyson and our two daughters Lottie and Evie, having some fun and quality time together. I do like to watch the rugby and enjoy the odd beer or two as well!

The person who influenced me most was…
My Father. He was a great personality with a passion for business and he probably packed two lives into his one as a result of this.

You wouldn’t know it, but I’m interested in…
Skiing as you get the best of everything – exercise, fresh alpine air, speed and of course the Après Ski!

If I gave it all up tomorrow I’d…
Get involved in putting something back into the trade and spend more time at the gym, playing golf and fishing.

Doing this job allowed me to meet…
Kat Copeland, one of our Olympic Gold Medallists recently. What a humbling experience to hear and see what these athletes commit to, to achieve their success.

The reason I get up on a morning is…
My wife tells me to! No, I am not the best at getting up but I do enjoy what I do and have a lot of fun with doing it – work hard and play hard is my philosophy.

What shoes do you  currently wear?
Loakes Edward which is a heavy brogue style that is supposedly quite fashionable – and I am not!