Ashleigh James
Commercial Manager at Woburn Enterprises Limited- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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WSET Level 2 Award in Wines & Spirits (QCF)
WSET — Wine & Spirit Education TrustOct, 2016- Nov, 2024 -
Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering
Chartered Institure of Enviromental HealthJan, 2016- Nov, 2024
Experience
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Woburn Enterprises Limited
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Hospitality
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1 - 100 Employee
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Commercial Manager
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Aug 2015 - Present
• HOD for functions and events with 3 direct reports (Events Co-ordinator and 2 Event Supervisors) with a further sub-team of casual events assistants. Responsible for interviewing, 1-1’s and annual appraisals with the team. • Responsible for sales and setting targets each year, along with setting budgets for expenditure and staffing. • Consistently maintaining good working relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including account managing park sponsorship contracts. • Created new menus and packages for functions based on required GP of 75% • Pioneered the re-development of the events related web pages to make them more appealing and user friendly. • Implemented a number of systems/processes to streamline sales & ops procedures and improve delivery of events. Includes new contracts, updated T’s & C’s, supplier rules & regs, centralised events inbox for enquiries, ops checklists, and follow up questionnaires. • Managed relationship with brewery and arranged for them to re-brand our lager to a Safari Park specific name which has now been trademarked as our WSP brand – Shumba (means Lion in Zimbabwe) • Stock management for the bar • Collaborated with the marketing manager to plan & budget the annual strategy for venue advertising, collateral, e-shots, exhibitions etc. Organised and ran all marketing events and wedding fairs, plus represented the venue at various exhibitions and networking events. • Set up wedding Instagram account to drive sales and promotion of the venue through social media channels • Created, packaged & marketed themed Christmas Party packages yearly encouraging repeat client bookings Show less
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Delaware North
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United States
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Hospitality
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700 & Above Employee
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Sales Manager (Maternity Cover)
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Apr 2015 - Aug 2015
• Promptly respond to enquiries selling the most appropriate space to meet requirements, and provide comprehensive proposals including catering and AV quotes. • Conduct venue viewing experiences to show the spaces and discuss event logistics. • Using P&L matrix to establish profitability and potentially negotiate prices when required to win the business. • Contract & invoice bookings, then delegate a complete file to the co-ordination team to plan the final details • Key account manager for regular client ETOA • Devised & led the Tender process for an approved list of specialist caterers (Asian/Kosher) including working with the chosen companies on marketing strategies to promote the venue • Took initiative to devise a safe way to permit fire pit necessary at Hindu ceremonies to increase sales potential • Designed full page advert & 800 word web editorial for Government Business Magazine to advertise the venues • Managed & maintained online event listings on venue search sites Show less
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Historic Royal Palaces
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United Kingdom
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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400 - 500 Employee
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Events Executive
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May 2013 - Apr 2015
• Achieved over £400K sales of event space in one year, plus 10% commission from suppliers, the highest amount of any member of the Events Team, and exceeded target by 25% • Managed events for high end clients such as; The Dorchester Collection, Disney, KPMG, and RBS • Ran the largest event the Tower of London has held to date – World Premier of Game of Thrones season 5, liaising with Sky to create a screening and VIP reception for 1000 guests with extensive media coverage • Successfully organised and managed private events for celeb & Royal VIPs including the Duke of York, Duke of Westminster, SLOTUS, HRH Prince of Hannover, the Duchess of Northumberland, Seth Green and Tess Daley, whilst diligently following the organisation’s dedication to providing “5 Star Service” and “A Royal Welcome” • Deputised for the events manager in meetings internally & externally reporting sales figures and latest projects • Represented the Tower at trade shows and exhibitions including Square Meal, Guide Live and EIBTM • Conducted market research of competitor venues for different sectors (conferences/evening events) and reporting findings to the team, suggesting new ways to promote the Tower or increase revenue • Integral part of the team selected to structure and implement a new diary/CRM system across all six Palaces • Managed budget and concept for a promotional event for key blue chip clients resulting in increased sales • Maintained financial records; invoices, purchase orders, staff taxi account and recorded team sales figures • Handled average of 25 enquires daily achieving 80% success rate for further discussion or holding a date • Mentored the Events Assistant training up on enquiries, CRM system, contracts and invoicing • Created historical timeline of the last 1,000 years of the Tower’s history both for clients and training new staff • Devised new tour package ideas when something unique was requested by a regular agent Show less
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The Perfect Wedding Company
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United Kingdom
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Events Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Wedding Planner
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Feb 2013 - May 2013
• Taking enquiries, determine all requirements for venue/catering/dates etc whilst building an immediate rapport • Create comprehensive proposal of suitable venues and catering packages to fall in line with clients budget • Accurately checked costs and availability with venues and suppliers and negotiated reduced rates • Booked, organised and ran weddings at Banqueting House, Gibson Hall and 45 Millbank • Arranged appointments for client site visits of venues, pro-actively followed up to help with final decision • Booked and attended tastings with clients to assist with menu choice and discuss all aspects of the day • Advised clients throughout the planning process offering help with timings, budgeting and sourcing suppliers • Created a full function sheet that covered every aspect of the wedding • On-the-day over-seeing supplier set up, guest arrival, food service and ensuring everything ran seamlessly • Regularly kept updated on pricing/offers and maintaining relationships with over 70 London venues • Built relationships with suppliers, creating a recommended list for clients and negotiated commission terms • Assisted with marketing strategies for the website and suggested special offers • Wrote blog posts for the website with helpful planning tips for bride and grooms • Attended exhibitions and networking events to build industry relationships and promote the organisation Show less
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Historic Royal Palaces
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United Kingdom
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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400 - 500 Employee
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Event Co-ordinator
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Sep 2011 - Feb 2013
• Supervised on-the-day management of weddings, functions, music festival, meetings and Christmas parties • Organised bookings from the initial enquiry, to confirmation and contract, tastings and final planning stages • Created detailed functions sheets detailing all event aspects and timings • Liaised with suppliers for set up access, H&S and security clearance to enter Crown property • Co-ordinate supplier set up, guest arrival, food service, photographs in the grounds, and all logistics throughout • General admin duties; filing, booking security/cleaning staff, printing brochures, and raising invoices • Created bespoke floor plans of the venue for clients when required using Microsoft Visio • Assisted with organising wedding fayres, managing internal meeting room diary and approved supplier list • Created the scoring grid and tender process for the approved supplier review • Attended exhibitions and wedding fayres to actively promote and sell the venue • Tasked with organising and designing the HRP stand for the Designer Wedding Show in February 2013 Show less
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Professional singer and dancer
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Europe and Asia
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Self employed
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May 2007 - Dec 2012
2009-2012: Lead Singer/Dancer in Cabaret Rouge at the Wam Bam Show, Café de Paris 2009: Agnetha in Abba 2 Gold Tribute show 2008-2009: Lead Singer/Dancer at the Bellini Grande Jazz Club, Singapore 2008: Agnetha in Abba Revival UK Tribute band 2008: Lead Singer/Dancer in “Born Wild” girl group show 2007-2008: Dancer/Magic Assistant in “Raluy Dancing Circus”, Barcelona and Spain tour 2007: Dancer in Sol Hotels Theme Shows 2009-2012: Lead Singer/Dancer in Cabaret Rouge at the Wam Bam Show, Café de Paris 2009: Agnetha in Abba 2 Gold Tribute show 2008-2009: Lead Singer/Dancer at the Bellini Grande Jazz Club, Singapore 2008: Agnetha in Abba Revival UK Tribute band 2008: Lead Singer/Dancer in “Born Wild” girl group show 2007-2008: Dancer/Magic Assistant in “Raluy Dancing Circus”, Barcelona and Spain tour 2007: Dancer in Sol Hotels Theme Shows
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Magic Memories
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New Zealand
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Technology, Information and Media
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300 - 400 Employee
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UK Office Manager
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Sep 2009 - Aug 2011
• Developed processes for filing, invoicing, supplier accounts, procurement, equipment repairs and stock control • PA duties to support the CEO • Created new payroll policy for sites, processed timesheets for payroll and all new starters/leavers documents • Stock manager for all sites, ensuring accurate stock checks & weekly orders based on forecasted sales figures. Managed imports and dispatches to sites in communication with the warehouse • Supported site managers across 18 sites with staffing, banking, stock, payroll or equipment repairs • Dealing with customer complaints in a calm, confident manner, taking necessary steps to resolve them Show less
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TEWIN BURY FARM LIMITED
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United Kingdom
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Hospitality
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1 - 100 Employee
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Events Co-ordinator
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May 2006 - May 2007
Took full ownership of client site visits and converted potential interest into confirmed bookings by accurately conveying the features and benefits of the venue Provided constant support to clients throughout the planning process, covering every detail thoroughly including catering, flowers, hotel room allocations and offered beneficial advice when required Took full ownership of client site visits and converted potential interest into confirmed bookings by accurately conveying the features and benefits of the venue Provided constant support to clients throughout the planning process, covering every detail thoroughly including catering, flowers, hotel room allocations and offered beneficial advice when required
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Education
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2005 - 2007
Margaret Howard Theatre College
Performance Diploma, Musical Theatre -
2002 - 2004
Oaklands College
BTEC National Diploma, Performing Arts -
1997 - 2002
Monks Walk School
GCSEs
Community
