Ms. Wendy Munt

I am a Consultant and Director of my business ‘Be Inspired Consulting Ltd’.

I have 36 years experience in the UK Toy industry and commercial retail; with senior posts at 4 major retail giants and a consultant to major global companies such as Disney and the BBC. My many clients range from SME’s to industry super-brand Lego and other blue-chip leading companies.

With my unrivalled level of knowledge on the UK toy industry and all matters involved in retail trading, I impact at Board level, delivering strategies and highly successful ranges for major UK retailers, brands and licensors.

Having worked on both sides of the retailer/supplier fence, I know well how to navigate the many complexities faced in manufacturing, importing and retailing.

For retailer clients, I create and implement toy category buying plans to meet their strategic objectives and deliver highly successful branded, own label and licensed ranges in order to grow sales, profitability and market share.

To assist toy inventors and supplier clients, I assess the commercial viability of toy concepts and for those worth progressing, manage the development from conception to launch.

For clients wishing to diversify into new toy categories, I share my knowledge of the opportunities and challenges of each respective category to determine if such transitions are right for their business.

I have spearheaded the re-design of the content and packaging of many well known toys and brands which were previously successful years ago. These re-designs have revitalised their consumer appeal and when relaunched with new marketing campaigns, have gone on to deliver multimillion pound sales.

Working with licensor clients, I help maximise toy sales and royalties through recommending the best suppliers and manufacturers with whom to partner from a product and reliability of supply perspective. I also consult on how licensors, licensees and retailers can best achieve strong and mutually beneficial trading relationships.

Career highlights include:
* As Senior Buying Manager of Home Retail Group (Argos), I consistently grew toy sales every year to over £160M, profit to £75M & UK market share to 40%. Whilst under my leadership, toys became Argos’ second highest earning category and Argos became the UK’s largest retailer of toys.

* In 2015, was invited by Licensing International Merchandisers Association (LIMA) as 1 of 4 panelists speaking at the House of Commons on ‘UK Retail and the Future of Licensing’

* Received a 'Special Recognition Award’ by the Retailers Association for work assisting entrepreneurs

* Previously a monthly full-page columnist for ‘Toys n' Playthings ‘ magazine, one of two UK trade press publications.

* Co-wrote chapters in ‘Secrets Of Success in Brand Licensing’ book.

* Regular speaker and panelist at various Toy Industry events. Media trained also.

Wendy has exceptional knowledge of the UK toy industry and UK retail marketplace. She stays close to the everchanging trends and retailer performance within many market sectors.

Work with Dragons Den
I have frequently worked with the BBC’s Dragons Den team, assisting entrepreneurs with getting their products to market, driving retail sales and investment pitch to the Dragons. I have provided lecturing and coaching on Business and Entrepreneurship at Dragons Den’ Peter Jones Enterprise Academy (PJEA).

For my services and work with Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis from the BBC's Dragons Den, see www.beinspiredconsulting.net

See testimonials here or download a pdf.

Work as an Expert Witness

 I hold the Cardiff University Bond Solon (CUBS) Civil Expert Certificate.

 I have worked as an Expert Witness on 2 cases - both went to trial at the High Court. The first in 2011 and second in October 2024. The most recent case was a 4 year £100m despite between 2 toy companies. For this case,I produced 6 single expert reports (the first being 120 pages), 5 supplemental reports and 5 Joint expert reports.