James Hill

Co - Founder 

Gladiator Media Ltd

With over 30 years of experience in launching brands, driving sales, and spearheading business development, Gladiator Media Ltd serves as an incubator for innovative business ventures. My extensive career across multiple industries—including, Hospitality, luxury goods, eCommerce, and media—has equipped me with the skills to build and scale new businesses through robust sales, marketing, and distribution channels.

At Gladiator Media, we specialise in developing new business opportunities for brands. We leverage our vast network and expertise to create tailored growth strategies, helping brands penetrate the market and achieve sustained success. Our primary focus spans multiple sectors, including watches, jewellery, fashion, cosmetics, Web3, food brands, production supply chain, logistics and property.

Through a combination of strategic partnerships, market insights, and data-driven growth initiatives, we have successfully launched and scaled various businesses. Our current portfolio includes EFFICIO GROUP, 9GAG & 9GAG Vibes, Chefs For Foodies, and Pass The Keys. These ventures reflect our commitment to building brands that resonate with consumers while utilizing cutting-edge sales and marketing techniques.

Gladiator Media is not only about launching businesses; it’s about creating sustainable growth through innovative distribution strategies, digital transformation, and premium brand positioning. My experience leading business ventures from inception to scale has allowed me to help businesses thrive in highly competitive markets.

Entrepreneur, Sales & Business Development Specialist

Chefs For Foodies

At Chefs For Foodies, we are revolutionizing the way consumers connect with the culinary world. We offer a premium food marketplace that brings together world-class chefs and food enthusiasts through immersive video masterclasses, exclusive signature dishes, and a curated selection of artisan, hard-to-source food products, cooking equipment, and appliances—delivered straight to your door, nationwide.

In building Chefs For Foodies from the ground up, I have gained deep experience working across every vertical—from sourcing premium products and forging key partnerships with top chefs to developing a seamless eCommerce platform and executing a comprehensive sales and marketing strategy. This hands-on approach has been essential to creating a successful and scalable business in the food sector. Our brand continues to evolve, with the franchise model now launched across the UK and expansion into the EU planned for 2024.

Founder / CEO

Team Worth Ltd

Launched WORTH in partnership with Four Communications a luxury intelligence, communications and marketing agency connecting brands and businesses with high-net-worth travelling consumers:

Concept was to create a specialist agency for prestigious and high-end brands with the objective of effectively targeting, communicating with and engaging the international travelling consumer. Worth was able to work with brands and businesses to better understand current international customer behaviour and target new nationalities, based on available data sources and intelligence. We also created website strategies and execution, the company launched at the start of COVID -19 and despite signed agreements with Luxury brands the loss in the tourist sector put Worth agency on hold.

hi Inc.

Spearheaded Recruitment, Development, and Growth Initiatives for High-Performing Teams
•	Led the recruitment, development, and management of a high-performing team of 40 staff, while also being accountable for the EMEA HQ operations, managing 120 people. Focused on driving new growth and revenue channels across advertising, eCommerce, and subscriptions, aligning efforts with the broader business vision. Held financial accountability for £20m.
•	Played a key role in preparing and delivering comprehensive performance reports and business cases to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), collaborating with the board to define and refine strategic objectives.
•	Consistently monitored and analyzed sales performance against established targets, providing actionable insights to optimize current strategies and ensure sustained growth.
•	Acted as a strategic advisor to the board, reporting on key market trends, emerging technologies, and providing data-driven recommendations for long-term growth.
•	Led the exploration and research into new market expansions as part of the company’s broader global growth strategy.
•	Directed in-depth analysis and segmentation of data, audience behavior, and market trends to inform sharp, creative, and high-impact campaign executions.
Key Achievements:
•	Revenue Growth: Drove a significant increase in company revenues from $5m to $11m, making the department the most profitable within just 12 months.
•	Team Integration: Successfully integrated and led a team of five within the ad product department, fostering enhanced strategic and operational alignment.
•	Market Expansion: Launched the New York market, developing a comprehensive strategy and value proposition. Secured key stakeholder buy-in, leading to the acquisition of 5,000 hotel rooms within six months.

Managing Director / Global Head of Partner Solutions | hi Japan (Softbank)       

Strategic Leadership and Operational Oversight for Global Expansion and Growth
•	Directed the strategic and operational functions of the business, implementing scalable plans, policies, and procedures to drive sustained growth. Maintained open communication with internal and external stakeholders to foster strong partnerships and align efforts with the overall business objectives.
•	Led the acquisition and seamless integration of LUXOS, spearheading the expansion of the global advertising department. Managed the merger of 40 LUXOS staff into multiple departments at Hi.com, ensuring operational cohesion and cultural alignment.
•	Leveraged 25 years of experience in the luxury sector, adopting an empowering and confident leadership style to enhance team capabilities and foster a high-performance culture.
•	Continuously evaluated new business opportunities, identified and negotiated prospective targets, and developed profitable growth plans that aligned with company goals.
•	Developed and executed expansion strategies across various sectors, markets, and territories, setting performance goals and ensuring alignment with long-term business objectives.
Key Achievements:
•	Team and Culture Development: Cultivated a diverse, experienced, and high-performing team culture that directly elevated motivation and performance levels across the business.
•	Revenue Growth: Increased revenues from $2m to $5m by successfully transitioning LUXOS’s luxury brand portfolio from print to global mobile omnichannel solutions, unlocking new revenue streams.
•	Market Leadership: Pioneered the opening of the New York office as Acting Managing Director, establishing a strategic foothold in the U.S. market.

Managing Director | Founder | LUXOS Italia Srl

LUXOS Magazine

Transformed LUXOS into a Leading Global Luxury Magazine
•	Established LUXOS as a premier luxury magazine for global shoppers by building and enhancing the company's public profile through a proactive approach to partnerships and growth opportunities. Successfully increased annual advertising sales revenue from £175k to £2m.
•	Led the development and execution of comprehensive, research-driven business plans that aligned with the company’s vision, facilitating measurable growth and market success.
•	Accelerated business growth by cultivating and nurturing relationships with key industry stakeholders, positioning LUXOS as a trusted partner within the luxury sector.
•	Built and maintained positive, trust-based relationships with business partners, shareholders, and authorities, ensuring smooth operational and financial performance.
•	Acted as the brand’s ambassador and public relations representative, consistently scanning for opportunities to strengthen its profile, enhance customer focus, and increase market interest.
Key Achievements:
•	Secured Strategic Partnerships: Negotiated and solidified alliances with 90% of the luxury industry, including renowned names such as LVMH, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Fendi, Valentino, Rolex, and Richemont Group.
•	Revenue Growth and Profitability: Achieved an annual turnover of $2m and a 21% EBITDA, culminating in the successful sale of the brand in November 2016.

Founder / Managing Director

Morris Communications

Architect of the BEIN Magazine Business Proposition and Communications Strategy
•	Designed and implemented the original business proposition and communications strategy that successfully launched BEIN magazines across Europe and the US. This included identifying market gaps, positioning the brand, and creating a compelling value proposition tailored to luxury consumers in these regions.
•	Developed and executed a multi-channel marketing and PR strategy, leveraging media partnerships, industry events, and digital platforms to build brand awareness and establish BEIN as a trusted voice in the luxury media space.
•	Led cross-functional teams in content creation, advertising sales, and distribution, ensuring seamless operations across multiple territories.
•	Spearheaded efforts to secure key advertising partnerships, engaging with luxury brands and stakeholders to drive early-stage growth and generate revenue.
•	Grew revenue from zero to $1.1m within the first year by successfully converting high-profile luxury brands into advertisers and establishing BEIN as a go-to magazine for affluent consumers.

Managing Director & Co-Founder | MVP LLC     

KDDI Corporation

Youngest Board Member Entrusted with Launching Japanese Publishing Division in Partnership with KDD International
•	Recognized as the youngest attendee at board meetings, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic insight early in my career. I was entrusted with the high-stakes responsibility of launching a new Japanese Publishing division in collaboration with KDD International, a leading global telecommunications company.
•	Led the end-to-end development and execution of the division’s launch, including market research, product development, partnership negotiations, and the creation of tailored publishing solutions that resonated with the Japanese market.
•	Designed a bespoke sales strategy that capitalized on the growing demand for premium content in Japan, driving early adoption and securing key partnerships with Japanese luxury brands and corporate clients.
•	Managed cross-cultural teams, ensuring seamless coordination between international stakeholders and aligning the division’s operations with local market needs, which contributed to the division’s rapid growth.
•	Achieved record-breaking revenue sales of $3m, setting a new benchmark for the company's international expansion efforts, while solidifying the Japanese division as a major contributor to the company’s overall profitability.

Sales Director

UBM Built Environment

Appointed as Youngest Ever Regional Sales Manager; Set New Market Share Records and Founded RIBA Magazine
•	Appointed as the youngest Regional Sales Manager in the company’s history, demonstrating exceptional leadership and sales acumen at an early stage of my career. Entrusted with managing and growing key regional markets, I quickly made a significant impact by exceeding market share and revenue targets.
•	Consistently outperformed all market share records for five consecutive years, achieving double-digit growth and setting a new benchmark for sales performance in the region. My ability to understand the market’s dynamics and leverage client relationships played a critical role in this sustained success.
•	In addition to driving sales growth, I founded and launched RIBA Magazine, a new publication tailored to the architecture and design sector. I identified a gap in the market for high-quality content that catered to professionals in these fields, and developed a business plan that brought the publication to life.
•	Led the end-to-end development of RIBA Magazine, from conceptualization and editorial direction to sales strategy and distribution. The magazine quickly gained traction within the architecture community, securing advertising partnerships with top industry brands and establishing itself as a trusted resource for professionals.
•	The launch of RIBA not only expanded the company’s portfolio but also added a valuable revenue stream, further cementing my position as a key driver of innovation and growth within the company.

Regional Sales Manager

Gladiator Media Ltd takes a tailored approach to help brands break into the UK and EMEA markets with impact. With a proven track record in building and executing projects from start to finish, we deliver comprehensive solutions across sales, marketing, and distribution. Leveraging data-driven insights, we stay ahead of emerging trends, products, and technologies, crafting strategies that empower brands to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving market.

Recognized as a trusted advisor, Gladiator Media combines expertise in multichannel media and influencer-driven initiatives to position companies at the forefront of innovation, helping to capture consumer and partner confidence. If you’re ready to take your brand to the next level, let’s discuss how we can make your launch a success.

Founder of Chefs for Foodies (Team Worth Limited) is a direct to consumer chef-inspired sustainable recipe box company, connecting experienced chefs with consumers through video masterclasses and signature dishes in direct-to-door recipe boxes with complimentary artisan food SaaS e-commerce marketplace.

Overview
30 years experience in advertising working across print, outdoor, radio, digital & mobile. Founder of BestOf, BEIN, LUXOS magazines & Chefs For Foodies. Two decades experience in start-ups within travel and hospitality. Successfully launched, developed and sold three companies.

Taplio

James Hill's Linkedin Analytics

What is James talking about?

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

Taplio

.css-1jgreyo{background-image:linear-gradient(284deg, rgba(39,43,72,1) 0%, rgba(33,47,183,1) 100%);color:transparent;-webkit-background-clip:text;background-clip:text;}James Hill's Linkedin Analytics

What is James talking about?

Want to drive more opportunities from LinkedIn?

James Hill's Linkedin Analytics