Experience

Dunesforde Vineyard

• United Kingdom
• Beverage Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Brand Ambassador

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  Yes, it's true! Grapes ARE grown in North Yorkshire! I get a real buzz as Dunesforde's Brand Ambassador leading tours of guests around 6,000 vines, sharing our Roman connection and then the main event - the tasting of our award winning wines! Plus, as a "Vineyard Volunteer" there's never a dull moment, pruning, tying back, even making wasp traps in old jam jars full of sugar solution!! Harvest time of course is when the fruits of our labour come to the fore. Oh and did I mention that in July 2022, Dunesforde’s Classic Cuvée - Queen of the North - was awarded "Best Wine for Midlands and North" by WineGB. Thanks Oz Clarke and Susie Barrie!! Bookings for corporate events, meetings and parties are at record levels and let's be frank, what better backdrop to host an event than a Yorkshire Vineyard? The Evening With the brilliant Steven Robinson was a complete sell out - an amazing night! And of course, I love it when the TV, Press and Media pay a visit - the latest, BBC Radio York and C4's Four in a Bed. Marketing Speak: Nestled in the Vale of York, Dunesforde is a four-acre, boutique vineyard established by the Townsend family producing fruit of the highest quality to make distinctive, characterful English wines, in one of the most northerly vineyards in the World. Try some - dunsforde.com Show less



Yorkshire Lad TV

• MC, Presenter, Host & "Voice of Magic"

  • Oct 2014 - Present

  The perfect role for the man who loves the sound of his own voice. MC, Voice of Magic & Awards Host. Gigs have included working for Associations, Corporates and HMG, in venues as varied as Liverpool Cathedral, the QEII CC, The FA St George's Park - even a North Yorkshire Vineyard! And what started out as a "bit of fun" has really "teken off" - Yorkshire Lad TV. YL is happy to promote Yorkshire businesses and organisations with his own authentic brand of straight forward Yorkshire talkin! Check out Yorkshire Lad TV on YouTube! Show less



meetingsclub

• United Kingdom
• Events Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER

  • Aug 2020 - Present

  Working with colleagues across the hospitality and leisure industries to develop strategic business strategies for the growth and development of meetingsclub in the UK & Europe

• Head of Content & Partnerships

  • Sep 2018 - Jul 2020

  meeetingsclub - an online platform for bookers of conference, meetings and event venues to share their first-hand experiences. Through trusted and checked reviews, online networking and the ability to seamlessly access venues, meetingsclub brings venues, industry suppliers and event bookers together. Partnership is key. I developed the community of Member Reviewers, through to introducing venues and suppliers to the benefit of personalised marketing programmes, client feedback and clubnews articles. Show less



Boroughbridge & District Community Care

• Community Minibus Driver

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  It may sound a little cheesy, but it really is a privilege as a Volunteer to have the opportunity to transfer wonderful people to hospitals and medical centres across Yorkshire. Plus as a Volunteer Minibus Driver it's great to take the over 65s on day trips to destinations as far away as the Lakes, Northumberland AND of course the good old Yorkshire Coast, where fish and chips are an absolute must! Boroughbridge & District Community Care (BCC) is a registered charity that helps disadvantaged and disabled members of the community regardless of age. Working with local authorities, other voluntary and statutory organisations the BCC team provides social welfare, transportation, recreation and an advice service with the aim of improving the conditions of life for local residents. Show less



Harrogate & District Talking Newspaper

• News Reader

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  Formed in 1977, I'm an active member of the presenting team that currently helps around 200 people who are blind or partially sighted to enjoy a weekly audio newspaper. Our studio is based in Ripley and we take articles from newspapers in the Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Ripon areas and record hour long programmes to enable our clients keep in touch with the local World. Formed in 1977, I'm an active member of the presenting team that currently helps around 200 people who are blind or partially sighted to enjoy a weekly audio newspaper. Our studio is based in Ripley and we take articles from newspapers in the Harrogate, Knaresborough, Pateley Bridge and Ripon areas and record hour long programmes to enable our clients keep in touch with the local World.



Ouseburn Cricket Club

• Groundsman

  • Mar 2021 - Present

  Full circle really. 40 years ago as a teenager I loved being the Assistant Groundsman working with Tony Proud at Masham Cricket Club on the banks of the River Ure. Fast forward a few years and time to revisit my passion for grass and stripes at Ouseburn Cricket Club, who play in the Nidderdale League. Working with a great team of seven Groundsmen, we proudly prepare the village pitch for all Junior sides right through to the First XI. Here's hoping we'll discover the next Jonny Bairstow, 20+ years after he last played on our hallowed turf. Footnote September 2022. Ouseburn Ist Team were promoted back to the Nidderdale League First Division Show less

• Barman

  • Jun 2021 - Present

  It's all about making money for Ouseburn Cricket Club. Funds raised through the sale of beer, wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks go a long way to helping our community club go from strength to strength. "Now, what would you like to drink?" It's all about making money for Ouseburn Cricket Club. Funds raised through the sale of beer, wine, tea, coffee and soft drinks go a long way to helping our community club go from strength to strength. "Now, what would you like to drink?"



NHS

• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Covid19 Vaccine Centre Marshall

  • Jan 2021 - Oct 2022

  Wow! What a privilege to be a Volunteer Marshal at Harrogate's Covid19 Vaccination Centre. People say all the time "thank you for what you're doing." I reply that I am just doing my bit, whether directing cars, welcoming people, sanitising chairs or simply acting as a human sign post in my bright yellow high vis' jacket. So many highlights. BUT hitting 100k jabs and Harrogate getting a name check on the Downing Street Media TV Broadcast were standouts. Check out the numbers in the graphic below... they speak for themselves. Show less



Nottingham Venues

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• New Business Development Director - University of Nottingham

  • May 2016 - Aug 2018

  Successfully generated significant new business revenue for the conference, meeting and hotel venues at the University of Nottingham, including the East Midlands Conference Centre, the Jubilee Conference Centre and the award winning Orchard Hotel. Key client wins within the Association, Charity, Corporate and Public Sectors, all of whom had the need to either communicate, train, exhibit or celebrate. Successfully generated significant new business revenue for the conference, meeting and hotel venues at the University of Nottingham, including the East Midlands Conference Centre, the Jubilee Conference Centre and the award winning Orchard Hotel. Key client wins within the Association, Charity, Corporate and Public Sectors, all of whom had the need to either communicate, train, exhibit or celebrate.



M.A.S.T.E.R.S. MARK & SARAH TRAVELLING, EXPLORING & ROAMING SEDULOUSLY

• International Traveller - Grey Gap Year

  • Jul 2015 - May 2016

  “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines and sail away from the safe harbour…” Mark (Twain) Bailey! After hundreds of deals and contracts signed and with adrenalin still coursing through my veins from the chase of the sale, I decided to travel the World with my long suffering wife on a slightly belated gap year. We set off in August 2015 for a trip which started in India, headed in to Nepal before taking in countries as diverse as China, New Zealand and Bolivia. 57,000 miles and 40 flights later we ended up in Brazil. Check out my adventures www.masters20152016.com or click on the "man in the mask" to listen to a Radio Interview to discover all about this Grey Gap Year. Show less



De Vere Venues, Principal Hayley and Four Pillars Group

• New Business Development Director

  • Jun 2013 - Jul 2015

  Loved developing new business sales within dedicated sectors (Public and Corporate Emerging Talent) and working on specific sales projects @ De Vere Venues, Principal Hayley and Four Pillars Hotels. Numerous new business wins and significant account development growth. Highlights also included coaching and mentoring sales colleagues to enable them to achieve their dreams.

• Regional Director of Sales - London

  • Nov 2012 - May 2013

  Development of business sales for De Vere Venues in London and throughout the UK. Particularly proud to be involved in the launch of the Award winning restaurant Brigade - www.thebrigade.co.uk - a unique social enterprise restaurant/private dining/cook school that took London by storm AND which continues to make a difference to peoples' lives!

• Business Development Director

  • May 2011 - Nov 2012

  An exciting national role working across all business sectors involving new business identification, account development and the sales launch of new venues. This included Colmore Gate Birmingham - De Vere Venues first non residential training and meeting centre outside of the capital and the award winning Orchard Hotel and East Midlands Conference Centre, Nottingham.



De Vere Hotels Resorts & Venues

• Head of New Business

  • Oct 2010 - May 2011

  Creation of New Business Team whose entire focus was generating new business sales within the MICE and L&D market. Brands included De Vere Venues, De Vere Hotels and Village Hotels.

• Public Sector Manager

  • Jun 2009 - Oct 2010

  Development of public sector strategy and creation of key business relationships within Central Government, EAs and NDPBs.



De Vere Venues

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality

• Public Sector Manager

  • May 2008 - Jun 2009

  From the NHS to the MOD. DfES to the CO. OS to HO. Helping the Public Sector protect the public purse through key contracts truly made a difference. From the NHS to the MOD. DfES to the CO. OS to HO. Helping the Public Sector protect the public purse through key contracts truly made a difference.



Live Group plc

• United Kingdom
• Entertainment
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Client Services Director

  • Jan 1993 - May 2008

  A proud member of the team who was instrumental in making Live Group plc the UK's leading live event management companies working with and for HM Government. From Number 10 Press Conferences to European and International Events, there was never a dull moment. A proud member of the team who was instrumental in making Live Group plc the UK's leading live event management companies working with and for HM Government. From Number 10 Press Conferences to European and International Events, there was never a dull moment.



SCHOOL TRAVEL SERVICE (STS) LTD

• United Kingdom
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Sales and Marketing Director

  • Oct 1989 - Jan 1993

  The founding Schools Tour Operator. The biggest thrill was seeing children grow in confidence and stature within just a few days of leaving through those school gates. The founding Schools Tour Operator. The biggest thrill was seeing children grow in confidence and stature within just a few days of leaving through those school gates.



Consort Hotels Limited

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Membership Manager

  • Sep 1986 - Oct 1989

  Recruited 50 hotels and undertook Group Training. Also added two stones in weight from checking out hotels for standards with the RAC and Egon Ronay. Consort became Best Western Recruited 50 hotels and undertook Group Training. Also added two stones in weight from checking out hotels for standards with the RAC and Egon Ronay. Consort became Best Western



Rainbow Holidays

• India
• Hospitals and Health Care

• National Sales Executive

  • Feb 1985 - Sep 1986

  Leading UK Short Break Company. Strategic travel trade sales responsibilities across the north of England kept me busy as Rainbow's first Sales Exec' Leading UK Short Break Company. Strategic travel trade sales responsibilities across the north of England kept me busy as Rainbow's first Sales Exec'



National Travelworld

• Branch Manager

  • Jul 1983 - Jan 1985

  Youngest branch Manager of 130 ABTA/IATA shops Youngest branch Manager of 130 ABTA/IATA shops