EXPERIENCE

Gillian has spent many years working at a senior level in major chains, such as Marriott, Thistle, Shire Hotels as well as Iconic hotels such as Celtic Manor, St. Pierre Park Guernsey, The Grand Jersey, to mention but a few. For the last five years she has worked with the Coniston Hotel, Country Estate and Spa to develop their sales and marketing.

Gillian is an experienced hotel sales and marketing professional - versatile, energetic, creative and commercially minded, embracing all aspects of SEO and traditional PR. As an excellent all-rounder, she is able to support the operational goals of a hotel with sound practical advice, support and leadership. She identifies unique opportunities through packaging across all key corporate and leisure segments. She has, and continues to build excellent customer and colleague relationships to maximise all opportunities for the business.

CORE SKILLS

• Maximise sales through understanding revenue strategies and market segments very well.
• Strategic assessment of sales and marketing functions and effectiveness
• Leisure sales and marketing – packages, online distribution, incentives
• Business restructure and team development
• On site and field based coaching and development of individuals

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Event Sales
• Key Account Management
• Marketing & PR
• Systems: CRM, M&E, RFP

EXPERIENCE

Over 30 years, Jo has worked in operations, front line sales and leadership roles for brands such as Millennium and Copthorne Hotels, Travelodge, IHG, De Vere & Village Hotels and Lime Venue Portfolio. As the founder of Curve Sales Solutions, Jo supports hotels and venues driving top-line revenues through bespoke and measured training, people development plans and sales activities. Jo has a passion for seeing teams succeed and believes that to stand out from the crowd keeping the 'saw sharp' is crucial.

CORE SKILLS

• Sales process review, creating proactive sales cultures
• Proactive and reactive sales training
• Online training, group training, coaching and mentoring

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Customer experience benchmarking
• Sales office health checks
• MICE sales
• Projects
• Recruitment and onboarding

ACCOLADES

• MIA List 2019
• C&IT MICE Sales Team of the Year 2018
• Award in Education and Training
• BA (Hons) Hotel Business Management 2:1

EXPERIENCE

Helen has had a long career in Business and Sales and launched into the MICE Industry over 10 years ago working originally in Agencies including Zibrant and Ashfield Meetings and Events and moved to Venues to see the contrasts within the Venue environment and lead a pro-active team at Imago Venues. The niche position to have an overview of both worlds and her strong background in Business with both Local Government and Corporates, gives Helen a unique perspective of the MICE Industry and allows an opportunity for Change and Innovation.

CORE SKILLS

• Pro-Active Sales and Account Management
• Business Strategy
• Training and Facilitation
• Business Health Check

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Conference Agency Market Knowledge and guidance for venues to work in partnership
• Sales and Agency Team Coaching
• Motivator and Sales Culture
• Finding Your Story

EXPERIENCE

Melanie Cash has worked in the tourism and hospitality industry for 25 years. She brings a wealth of experience having lead teams in a variety of sales and marketing and training roles at Marriott, Hilton, Rocco Forte, The Grove, The Belfry and Macdonald Hotels.

CORE SKILLS

• Strategic assessment of sales and marketing functions and effectiveness
• Business restructure and team development
• Design and delivery of core sales & leadership training programmes
• On site and field based coaching and development of individuals

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Event Sales
• Key Account Management
• Marketing & PR
• Systems: CRM, M&E, RFP

EXPERIENCE

Leigh Cowlishaw is an experienced leader in the meetings and accommodation arenas providing specialism in SMM, on line distribution strategies, as well a focus on proposition, strategy and industry disruption. Prior to these roles; Leigh held the position at Capita Travel and Events for six years as Director of Proposition - Accommodation and Meetings.
Appointed in 2016 to the HBAA Chair of the Association, in which Leigh sits on the board today and champions Mental Health awareness for the association and across the industry. Past chair of GTMC Steering Group for Meetings, Conferences and Events. Steering Group Board member of the Meetings Show and CHS.

CORE SKILLS

• Strategic Meetings Management
• Travel Procurement
• Preferred relationship management
• Travel Policy
• Meetings and Events
• Hotel/Venue relationships
• Agency relationships
• Driving value through two way relationships
• Mental Health and Wellbeing

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Project Management
• Strategy
• Keynote speaker
• Coaching & Mentoring 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in Experience from the University of Life

EXPERIENCE

I am a creative professional with over 25 years of repeated success guiding strategic business development plans, and directing operations resulting in increased business revenue and growth of the portfolio. I am highly skilled in analysing the effectiveness of operations in alignment to the business objectives, formulating and implementing standard practices and ensuring planned targets are achieved within set budget and time.

I’m a passionate team player with a collaborative leadership style and bring with me years of operations, and management expertise and excellence, working for recognised brands including Lensbury Limited, Forte Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Acorn Management Group Limited and others.  I have the talent for launching programmes related to training and team development, and P&L accountability.

CORE SKILLS

• First class strategic and analytical abilities to manage business and financial operations including business planning, estimating and preparing annual budgets and to align with long-term and short-term objectives.
• Expertise to design and implement new and updated sales actions, service improvement initiatives and to enhance overall efficiency resulting in increased bottom-line returns.
• Dedication to devise sales and marketing processes to boost sales implementing change management through the teams to deliver goals and objectives.
• Highly organised with passion to design and implement various processes enabling the business to grow, in addition to conducting research and finding new markets.
• Expert communicator, presenter, and collaborator; able to forge solid relationships with strategic partners and build consensus across multiple organisational levels.
• Design and implement management change across businesses.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Directorship of two associations and Treasurer of one
• Mentoring of businesses
• Qualified trainer, sales and negotiator
• In-depth knowledge of H&S

EXPERIENCE

No Ordinary Hospitality Management offers bespoke services to company owners desiring personalised and effective management solutions.  We work directly alongside owners to develop and implement creative strategies and best practices by understanding the goals and objectives of your venue.  Our skills and ability to adapt makes No Ordinary Hospitality Management a desirable option, no matter how small or large your venue. We understand that every business is different and we are not a one size fits all solution. We work with all types of property, from a 5* hotel to an independent café and anything in between.

CORE SERVICES

• Operational Management
• Revenue Management
• Financial and Payroll Management
• Sales and Marketing
• Human Resources
• Health, Safety and Risk Management
• Procurement and Stock Control
• Design and Project Management

EXPERIENCE

David spent his formulative years in hotel general management working for Whitbread, Mount Charlotte Thistle and various Independent Hotels. He then progressed into conference centres, contract catering and stadia management, latterly overseeing a significant expansion project of Woodland Grange and in 2010 becoming Managing Director for Make Venues (formerly EEF Venues), overseeing impressive growth and attaining numerous customers services awards and accreditations during his tenure.  David is passionate about supporting the industry and spent 13 years as a board director for Venues of Excellence including Vice Chair and Chairman roles.  He also served three terms on the board of the Meetings Industry Association.

CORE SERVICES

• Operational Management
• Strategic Direction
• Commercial Strategy
• Customer Service
• Leadership
• Nurturing Talent