Property Practitioner

• Mar 2023 - Present

Workplace Lead | Sub Sahara Africa | JLL bp

• Dec 2021 - Mar 2023

Beginning the journey with JLL on the Standard Chartered Bank account, providing support for Sub Saharan Africa accounts, persons and offices. Assisting in managing the South African transition and mobilisation of colleagues, processes and incentive rewards for Go Live in February 2022. Working remotely and in the JLL Rosebank and Sandton Johannesburg office of SCB. February 2022 saw the move upward to the BP SA account, first Vested Agreement on Facilities and Workplace Management in South Africa. Role of Workplace Lead, Sub Saharan Africa, encompassing the transition of CBRE persons to the JLL contract. Working with teams from CBRE, JLL and BP as new colleagues on Communication, Marketing, Engineering and HR moves, account and tender support, and internal events at BP buildings in Rosebank and Cape Town. Monthly national travel as well as training in BP London sites, UK. Collaborating with Real Estate and Remote Work leads to enhance customer and colleague experiences in BP spaces, giving opportunities for creative process and out-the-box ideas, in endeavours to make the workspace a desirable location, and working within Covid limits. Analysing gaps and developing hospitality and other soft service solutions for BP Board in RTO post-Covid scopes. Supporting in virtual meeting conception and delivery, and agora events with bespoke drops. CX customer mapping and touchpoint analysis, project recommendations and completion. Reception and colleague training, on and off site, resulting in praise from external stakeholders and CEO notes. Working hybrid schedule, I report to the Director EMEA BP and Director Global BP Workplace Solutions, who reports directly to BP and JLL London Workplace Global Lead. Show less

Service Standards Lead, Hospitality, Absa Group

• Apr 2020 - Jul 2021

Accountable nationally for the soft services delivery of catering and hospitality management and service standards on the Absa national contract for Bidvest Facilities Management. This process and project management requires weekly and monthly site audits and reporting, with accountability for recommending any follow-up or remediation actions directly with Project Leaders. With knowledge of Health and Safety regulations, these audits were in line with, and prior to, external service providers, such as FCS Food Consulting Services’ more in-depth audits, and as such resulted in higher scores to present to client. The accounts for catering services formed part of the monthly nearly R50mil billed to client for various national services and fees (although below forecast and expectations due to Covid and lockdown business protocols. It was these decreased turnovers that led to emergency and full change management of procedures, staff and etiquette in Covid “new world”). I reported to the Services Executive, who reported to COO of the National Contract. Key achievements include the development and delivery of new standards in line with Covid protocols, and its related change management. These changes were quickly learned, adapted and taught by me to colleagues and clients. The team developed and delivered audit templates, SAP reports and implemented input to new digital dashboards of current faults and repairs. Customer satisfaction from client Absa has risen over the period (on the digital logging platforms) albeit occupancy has been impacted by Covid restrictions. A highlight was the formalisation of many years of adult knowledge transfer, adding the distinction gained with SETA Service Training Facilitator and Train-The-Trainer accreditation NQ5 in 2020. Show less

Service Standards, Events

• Aug 2013 - Mar 2020

Colleague Venues, Clients' Chairman, CEO & Exco Meeting Suites, Dining & Board Room engagement and services. Client retention practices. Private bespoke client events and comfort facilitation. * Function and event inception, ideas, budget controls and procurement, through to closure. * Various activities, including customer relations and communications involving campus of possible +8500 direct and daily consumers. * Direct public relation campaigns, dealing with and resolving queries and complaints; analysis of market research; assisting in networking channels. * Internal marketing structure and maintenance; including text-n-tell mobile marketing * Brand awareness and assisting in management with staff standards and procedures. * Keeping High-End branding for Tsebo and client at client offices. Show less

Management

• Feb 1993 - 2012

Responsible for the full management of Le Canard, one of South Africa’s premier and most successful entertainment and event brands. Owned by Chef Patron Freda Appelbaum and family, the venue rose to greatness with many international and local awards and regular clients in its rich 24-year history. It was French continental, and for many years considered finest in the city, if not country. I still have regular contact with a few of the clients to this day. Key activities included hospitality management, financial management, human resources (managing a direct staff of 8, and total complement of 30), branding and communication, and client relationship management and development. Judged by American Express as one of the Top Ten Deluxe Restaurants. Fortunate to have been at this level in the emergence of South Africa’s new democracy, and attending to the influx of foreign VIP visitors. The 90s and early 2000s saw many influential politicians, business and celebrity visits, as South Africa was then a crucial visit and business area. This lengthy and fortunate exposure led to greater adaptability and experience of international and 5-star standards. Conception and management of gala dinners, soirées and award dinners (up to 1100 assisted with softs on Bidvest events at Sandton Convention Centre). Extensive radio voice work, script and content writing, from the very inception of ClassicFM. Led by then station owner Hylton Appelbaum, and managed by Mike Ford and eventually Dominik Ntsele, the growth of the restaurant and encompassing business and events due to the airtime, coverage and concerts, far exceeded expectations. Accountable for the development and delivery of the Le Canard’s extensive event programme, incorporating gala events, conferences and offsite management. These were events held both internally and externally and recognised as one of the leading programmes for development artists in the South African hospitality industry. Show less

Manager

• 1990 - 1993

Portfolio Manager - futures & options

• 1989 - 1990