Experience

Kent Life Heritage Farm Park

• United Kingdom
• Travel Arrangements
• 1 - 100 Employee

• General Manager

  • Feb 2023 - Present

  Delighted to be the Manager of Kent Life. A wonderful place to work and visit on the outskirts of Maidstone in Kent. From educational groups to day visitors Kent Life has something for everyone. Delighted to be the Manager of Kent Life. A wonderful place to work and visit on the outskirts of Maidstone in Kent. From educational groups to day visitors Kent Life has something for everyone.



RAB hospitality Ltd

• Business Owner

  • Nov 2017 - Present



Leicester Racecourse

• United Kingdom
• Spectator Sports
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Racecourse General Manager

  • Mar 2014 - Jan 2020

  A hands on role driving sales and service.

• General Manager

  • Feb 2014 - Jan 2020

  At Leicester Racecourse my role covers every part of operating a SME. Typically leading strategy for one of the countries busiest grass Racecourses. Leading a program of capital expenditure and sales generation, being the face of the Racecourse.



Leicester Racecourse Co. Ltd.

• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• General Manager

  • Feb 2014 - Jan 2020



RJB Associates

• Stratford Upon Avon

• Commercial Director/ Interim Manager/Director/ COO

  • Feb 2013 - Feb 2014

  Business health check, audit and strategic plan preparation. Mentor and coach using 25 years of industry experience and network to effect permanent results improvement and lasting legacy. Specialties, yield management, management development, sales, strategy, business process, product development, innovation, marketing, reporting, commercial management, secondary spend, retail and catering, events, general management. My team building and vision are invaluable and contribute to a fresh perspective and the ability to see the obvious low hanging fruit as-well as entrepreneurial opportunities. Show less



Twycross Zoo

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Operating Officer

  • May 2012 - Mar 2013

  Provides effective and inspiring leadership by being actively involved in all initiatives and services,developing a broad and deep knowledge of all work streams.Identify opportunities for Twycross Zoo to leverage cross-industry strengths to take advantage ofnew opportunities and to address organisational challenges.Lead, coach, develop, and retain Twycross Zoos high-performance senior management teamwith an emphasis on developing capacity in strategic analysis and planning and programdelivery.Prepare and submit an annual operational budget, manage effectively within this budget, andreport accurately on progress made and challenges encountered. T/O £8.5mEnsure the continued financial viability of Twycross Zoos operational units through sound fiscalmanagement.Manage and cultivate existing relationships with funders to secure and expand recurring revenuestreams.Publicly represent Twycross Zoo with the media and external groups includingcommunity, governmental, and private organisations and build excitement for Twycross Zoosmission.Provide programmatic leadership and input for all strategic plan implementation processes.Coach team as they implement the strategic plan Show less

• Commercial Director

  • Jan 2010 - May 2012

  Directing commercial operations at the east midlands busiest visitor attractionPlanning every aspect and successfully opening a new £7million visitor center under tight budget and time constraintsDevising strategy producing year on year yield growth discounting tariff increasesCreating and implementing strategy for a 500,000 per year visitor attractionChampioning a farm to fork culture into the commercial catering department, demanding supplier partnerships are for the best joint commercial reasonsDirecting, mentoring,coaching and developing the commercial team to deliver in excess of £8million of annual salesAs part of the catering strategy directed the opening of a table service restaurant operating at the zoo for Sunday lunch service, menu of high quality local produceDirect the allocation of a £1million media budget, above and below the line activitySupporting the growth of a meetings, events, conferencing and wedding business worth in excess of a quarter of a million pounds in it's first yearDriving the visitor journey to extend the dwell time at the zoo Directed the commercial team to Increase zoo membership by 100% in six months and buildingPurchasing and contract negociationDeveloped high street zoo sales concept launched winter 2011Director of Estates in control of £1.6 million budgetProject Director, new builds, planned and reactive maintenanceExternal mentor and member of LEP attraction sub groups focusing on tourism for county both transient and medium termExecutive board member of HBTP Show less



Hinkley and Bosworth Tourism Partnership

• Vice Chairman

  • Jan 2011 - Feb 2013

  Assisting with the destination marketing for Hinckley and Bosworth, supported the first Leicestershire food festival at Twycross in 2012. Providing support, ideas and energy. Working closely with the Chair of the partnership. Assisting with the destination marketing for Hinckley and Bosworth, supported the first Leicestershire food festival at Twycross in 2012. Providing support, ideas and energy. Working closely with the Chair of the partnership.



Compass Group

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Operations Director

  • Jan 2007 - Oct 2008

  Leading Sainsburys contract, 500 colleague feeding restaurants with a total turnover of £30mResponsible for directing 4 national catering contracts on a concession basis, Woolworths, B&Q, Homebase and The Range, 172 units on total. T/o £25mDirecting 25 Business and Industry work based feeding operations including dedicated facilities management. T/o £8m Managing a team of Operations Managers dealing with all aspects of performance and relationship management to ensure the delivery of results and objectives Undertaking financial responsibility for a combined annual turnover of £63m and £7m Capex funding, with full P&L responsibility Responsible for all marketing, pricing, business planning, strategy and budgeting within all contracts Liaising with various contacts including senior clients, holding regular monthly meetings and negotiating strategy and business direction to enhance client relationships Introducing sales KPIs to drive business and exploit transactional spendNegotiating new and existing contracts, retention and cost reduction Show less

• Operations Director

  • Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  Responsible for managing 3 national catering contracts on a concession basis, Woolworths, B&Q and Homebase Managing a team of Operations Managers dealing with all aspects of performance and relationship management to ensure the delivery of results and objectives Undertaking financial responsibility for a combined annual turnover of £20m and £7m Capex funding, with full P&L responsibility, reducing costs and managing expenditure Responsible for all marketing, pricing, business planning, strategy and budgeting Instrumental in transforming the business over 12 months from loss making status to profit, through tailoring offers, developing product range, pricing, service and cost control Liaising with various contacts including senior clients, holding regular monthly meetings and negotiating strategy and business direction to enhance client relationships Introducing sales KPIs to drive business and exploit transactional spend Show less



Moto Toddington, Compass Group

• Area General Manager

  • Jan 2001 - Jan 2006

  Moto Hospitality Directing the head office site comprising a large self-serve restaurant and general shop, Burger King, Travelodge, Little Chef and BP fuel forecourt, approving efficient and productive daily operations, achieving an annual turnover of £50m Launching a new concept restaurant, introducing a new service culture, matching market research results and customer requirements Managing over 200 staff, motivating productivity and promoting high levels of customer focus, generating effective staff relations and increasing profitability Mediating with senior directors and, as the regional Travelodge Brand Manager, negotiating operational activities and service standards, agreeing targets and budgets Operating the first Marks and Spencer Simply Food store on the motorway network integrating operating procedures and systems to produce hybrid training and operational process Show less



Moto Swansea and Cardiff, Compass Group

• Area General Manager

  • Jan 1996 - Jan 2001

  Moto Hospitality Managing two motorway service stations, supervising daily multi-site operations, ensuring efficient service in highly demanding customer orientated environments Leading 150 staff, implementing staff development programmes, transforming work practices, stabilising staff turnover Revising customer service strategies, delivering large profit increases, achieving a turnover of £25m Moto Hospitality Managing two motorway service stations, supervising daily multi-site operations, ensuring efficient service in highly demanding customer orientated environments Leading 150 staff, implementing staff development programmes, transforming work practices, stabilising staff turnover Revising customer service strategies, delivering large profit increases, achieving a turnover of £25m



Rank Motorway Services & Pavillion Services

• Management Positions

  • Jan 1988 - Jan 1996

  Progressing from Trainee Manager to Area Manager gaining expert management skills and experience, heading service operations throughout England and Wales Progressing from Trainee Manager to Area Manager gaining expert management skills and experience, heading service operations throughout England and Wales