Experience

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  Chris Durant Consulting - Foodservice & Hospitality Consultancy

  • Director

    • Apr 2023 - Present

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  Hawkwood Centre for Future Thinking

  • Stroud, England, United Kingdom

  • Board Trustee

    • Apr 2022 - Present
    • Stroud, England, United Kingdom

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  Hospitality Action

  • Ambassador

    • Oct 2020 - Present

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  York Carers Centre

  • York

  • Board Trustee

    • Apr 2016 - Present
    • York

    York Carers Centre became an independent registered charity in 2009, after operating under the Yorkshire Primary Care Trust. A network member of the national Carers Trust, we work in partnership with unpaid carers, statutory and voluntary organisations to ensure carers, throughout York, have access to confidential information, advice and support. We work with carers to influence positive change in service delivery with local government, employers and health providers. York Carers Centre supports carers through three key areas:• Adults• Young Adults (16 – 25)• Young Carers (8 – 18). They may be looking after a brother, sister, mother or father with illness, disability, mental health problems or problems with alcohol and drugs. Our funding comes from a variety of sources but our principal funders are The City of York Council and The Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group.  We rely on grants from charitable trusts and on donations and fundraising to enable us to deliver specific projects.

• 

  The Litmus Partnership

  • United Kingdom
  • Business Consulting and Services
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Senior Consultant

    • Sep 2017 - Aug 2023

    Litmus provides catering, foodservice, hospitality and facilities management consultancy solutions to a diverse of organisations in business & industry, hotels, restaurants, education and leisure. At the heart of our approach is the fundamental belief that no two clients needs are the same. All our projects therefore begin with developing a clear understanding of strategic and operational business challenges and translation of these into meaningful and realistic objectives. Our success is measured according to the outcomes experienced by our clients, such as cost reduction, service development, profit improvement or effective restructuring. By combining our consultancy expertise with hands-on experience of hospitality management and an ability to think creatively, we bring our clients a fresh perspective. Specific projects which Chris has consulted on include: • Research into a South Coast resort tourist market to support a hotel feasibility study. Advising on and supporting project team on global procurement of employee and hospitality catering strategy at an international Bank with a value of circa $55million per annum.• Advising on the development of outsourced catering and housekeeping strategy for anational multi site group of private care homes and hospitals including market engagement and competitive dialogue with contractors; development of service specifications and contract negotiation. Reviewing outsourced catering services, contracts and standards for a group of leisure centres• Advising an outsourced hotel housekeeping contractor on business strategy and brand development• Advising group of 63 private hospitals on outsourcing of catering & contractnegotiation.• Advising the House of Lords on catering, hospitality and retail procurement strategy

  • Commercial Partner/Commercial Director

    • Nov 2012 - Sep 2017

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  Beacon (now Entegra)

  • York, United Kingdom

  • Managing Director

    • Sep 2007 - Nov 2012
    • York, United Kingdom

    Responsible for the strategic development and leadership of this leading provider of purchasing solutions to the UK hospitality industry serving over 2000 hotels and leisure businesses negotiating annual client spend in excess of £110million across a diverse range of products and services including food and beverages, energy, hotel refurbishment and housekeeping supplies

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  Restaurants at Work

  • Surrey, England, United Kingdom

  • Director/Consultant

    • Jan 2005 - Sep 2007
    • Surrey, England, United Kingdom

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  Hopkinson Catering (now Graysons)

  • Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom

  • National Operations Director/Business Development Director

    • Jul 2002 - Jan 2005
    • Leamington Spa, England, United Kingdom

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  Aramark

  • London, England, United Kingdom

  • Director Parallel Division (Hotels and Restaurants)

    • Jan 2001 - Jul 2002
    • London, England, United Kingdom

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  Stern Rozier Durant/SRD Consulting

  • Surrey, England, United Kingdom

  • Partner/Director

    • Jan 1991 - Jan 2001
    • Surrey, England, United Kingdom

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  Eagle Star(Now Zurich)

  • London/Cheltenham

  • Head of Catering/Staff Planning Manager

    • Feb 1981 - Jan 1991
    • London/Cheltenham

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  Avisford Park Hotel

  • West Sussex, England, United Kingdom

  • General Manager

    • Feb 1976 - Feb 1981
    • West Sussex, England, United Kingdom

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  Metropole Brighton/Selsdon Park Hotel/London Tara Hotel

  • Various Management roles

    • Sep 1971 - Feb 1976