My Background
Everyone has a story, and I'm no different.
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Starting my career as a qualified CIMA accountant, I worked my way through the ranks to FD and CFO positions, but in my heart, I always wanted to be leading the business, not just counting the money and analysing the numbers.
Below you will see a summary of my work experience, but like all stories, there is much more to me and my experience and qualities than can be shown on just a CV - but at least this gives you an introduction into my work experience and the industries I know best.
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To find out more about my story, or what I could offer your business, drop me a line using the contact details below.
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September 2016 – September 2023
TUI UK&I – Market Leader in Global Tourism (TUI, First Choice, Marella, Crystal Ski)
Commercial & Business Development Director
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Board Director level (Commercial Director), lead Board Director for DE&I Strategy
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Accountable for entire UK&I Commercial performance and Business units (inc Marella Cruise, TUI River Cruise, Crystal Ski, TUI Ireland), full P&L accountable & leadership of Commercial team of >600 FTE
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Accountable for all UK&I aviation fleet planning, full control, and accountability for overall yield performance, accountable for product (hotels) and destination strategy, ancillaries delivery, growth and development and UK&I Crisis & Incident Management – Crisis Director across the COVID pandemic and oversaw the return to operation for the full business
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Remit to innovatively grow the business profits and customer base, though new business and product development
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Commercial lead across European Commercial teams (inc Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, Nordics) for Profit maximisation & leverage of Group Scale – ranging from hotel contract disputes to business development lead
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Led strategy & delivery for our dynamic packaging business, which has trebled profits across the last 5 years (2018-2023)
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Launched brand new business into River Cruise market (TUI River Cruises, 3 refurbished ships +1 charter operation Egypt)
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Successful integration of previously standalone Crystal Ski business systems into core UK&I tech stack & UK&I OD
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Managing Director Marella Cruises
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Overseen successful introduction of 4 newly refurbished Ocean Cruise ships & retirement of 4 older / less profitable ships
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Rebranded Cruise business as part of Hello TUI campaign – Thomson to Marella and repositioned the customer experience
CEO Thistle & every Hotels / CFO / Finance Director - Thistle Hotels
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Exec Board Director (CEO & CFO) / Company earnings doubled in 3 years 2014 – 2016•
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Responsible for Operations, Sales & Revenue for portfolio of 25 hotels, across London & Regions
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Disposal and separation of 19 regional Thistle managed hotels – loss making contract
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Restructured finance team & Implementation of new senior hotel team structure - company wide
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Profit accountable CEO for existing portfolio of 10 hotels (9 within London)
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Responsible for development & launch of 3 new hotel brands, planning/initialisation first 2 openings (Amba / every Hotels)
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Covered CFO role for 9 months across Year End whilst continuing with Brand CEO position
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October 2007 – September 2011
Home Retail Group – UK Leading Retailer (Argos, Homebase)
Head of UK&I Retail Finance
Planning & Reporting Finance Manager
Capital Employed Planning Manager
July 2002 – September 2007
Whitbread – UK Leading Leisure Business (Pubs, Premier Inn, Costa, David Lloyd Leisure)
Investment Strategy Planning Manager
FP&A Manager
Business Analyst
glh Hotels (renamed Clermont Hotel Group) – London focused owner & operator (Thistle, Amba, Clermont)
October 2011 – July 2016