Colin Harris

Experience

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  Castle Ashby House

  Aug 1988 - Dec 1994

  Food Beverage Manager

  This 16th Century Manor House owned by Lord Northampton was an exclusive use hotel and event centre set in 10,00 acres of parkland and farms. I managed all aspect of the food & beverage department including menu planning, wine purchases and tastings, and personally developed the business from a loss making situation to sustainable profit in three years moving form losses of £500.000 to a profit of £150.000 and on to £750,000 before leaving in 1994. I enjoyed my role and met many celebrities, politicians and business leaders. I also supervised the major refurbishment works in 1990 adding 12 5 star suites to the main house which was filmed by the BBC holiday program. I had to leave to progress my career as their was no further progression in the company, unless the General manager was to leave. Show less

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  Castle Theatre Wellingborough

  Jan 1995 - Jan 1998

  General Catering Manager

  I worked with the management committee to develop none art's income from conferencing, meetings and events. During this time I created additional bar area, branded restaurant offer and worked on a lottery bid for expanding the complex to include museum and training centre. I moved on after the unsuccessful lottery bid

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  Phoenix Fine Catering

  Jan 1998 - Nov 1998

  Operations Manager

  Boutique events caterer, providing remote and event catering services to corporate, association and private sector clients

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  Sodexo

  Nov 1998 - Aug 2002

  General Services Manager

  I managed the Scout association contracts at the Head Office and training centre in Essex and supported the central London hostel and conference centre. Accountabilities• Day to day management of all soft services including catering, cleaning, reception conferencing and reservations • Marketing of the hotel facilities to both internal and external markets• Co-ordinating all Scout and non-scouting events internal and in the 108 acre park.• Managing a team of 24 to deliver an excellent service• Recruitment and training of all team members• Managing all elements of the site budget to agreed margins• Supporting other units in the Scout portfolio• Project management• Event managementKey Achievements:• Successful change of use from office space to bedrooms• Supporting the change of Head office location from central London to new building in Essex• Managing the Royal opening of the new Scouts Association head quarters • Increasing commercial income from zero to over £250K a year to subsidise client activities and events • Changing the business model to move from a £200k loss to profit or £95k within 2 years• Contract retention and extension for three years in 2002• Introduction of a new staff structure creating a more flexible commercial operation• Coaching and developing the Head Chef in order to pursue a life-long dream, as part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games catering team.• Achieving 3 star hotel accreditation for the former 20 bedroom hostel • Opening of a branded coffee shop and retail offer in central London hostel• Creating new revenue streams to subsidise client activities Show less

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  Compass Group UK & Ireland

  Aug 2002 - Jul 2010

  Group General Manager

  Accountabilities• Management of all facilities including catering, cleaning, reception, conferencing, housekeeping, AV, team building & reservations• Full accountability for site operations during client holidays and absence • Supervision of third party contractors for security, grounds maintenance and maintenance• Relationship management of conservationists, local residents. Police and Fire service• Co-ordinating all site waste management to comply with environmental regulations.• Internal marketing of the facilities to the wider GSK organisation • Preparation and implementation of annual budgets for both GSK & Sodexo• Strategic planning and product development in partnership with client • Managing a team of 50 including recruitment, coaching, training & development and performance management of colleagues. • Event management• Accountability for the operation including pricing policy and brand image• Deputise in the absence area manager • Project management Key Achievements• Successful change from a traditional cost plus account to a unique fixed price model• Change of management & staff structure resulting in a reduction in labour spend of 20%• Introduction of electronic guest survey. Latest survey results show 95% of guests rate service as excellent • Improvement in occupancy levels by 58% (equates to an increase of 10000 delegates)• North Mymms Park acknowledged as preferred venue for executive meetings and events• Converting client net losses of £60k to an annual net profit in excess of £300k• Maintaining profitability at 22% whilst reducing client costs• Eliminating the use of agency labour in both sites by introduction of flexible labour structure.• Ongoing product development: including bistro, bar and accommodation, team building, marquee and outdoor events• Year on year retention of rolling contract• Supporting the development of the company brands both within GSK and RA Show less

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  Sodexo

  Jul 2010 - Sept 2013

  Accountabilities• Management of all facilities including catering, cleaning, reception, conferencing, housekeeping, AV, team building & reservations• Full accountability for site operations during client holidays and absence • Supervision of third party contractors for security, grounds maintenance and maintenance• Relationship management of conservationists, local residents. Police and Fire service• Co-ordinating all site waste management to comply with environmental regulations.• Internal marketing of the facilities to the wider GSK organisation • Preparation and implementation of annual budgets for both GSK & Sodexo• Strategic planning and product development in partnership with client • Managing a team of 50 including recruitment, coaching, training & development and performance management of colleagues. • Event management• Accountability for the operation including pricing policy and brand image• Deputise in the absence area manager • Project management Key Achievements• Successful change from a traditional cost plus account to a unique fixed price model• Change of management & staff structure resulting in a reduction in labour spend of 20%• Introduction of electronic guest survey. Latest survey results show 95% of guests rate service as excellent • Improvement in occupancy levels by 58% (equates to an increase of 10000 delegates)• North Mymms Park acknowledged as preferred venue for executive meetings and events• Converting client net losses of £60k to an annual net profit in excess of £300k• Maintaining profitability at 22% whilst reducing client costs• Eliminating the use of agency labour in both sites by introduction of flexible labour structure.• Ongoing product development: including bistro, bar and accommodation, team building, marquee and outdoor events• Year on year retention of rolling contract• Supporting the development of the company brands both within GSK and RA Show less

  • Cluster Manager Sodexo UK Corporate & Consumer Health GlaxoSmithKline

    Aug 2012 - Sept 2013

  • General Services Manager (Group)

    Jul 2010 - Sept 2012
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  Vertu Motors Plc

  Oct 2013 - May 2014

  Sales Executive

  • Helped mobilise new Nissan franchise, including the migration of existing Nissan customers, developing customer database.• Launch events for the new Nissan Note, Qashqai and X-Trail• Brand development: promoting the Bristol Street Motors Brand at local sporting events, through strategic product placement.• Direct marketing of the Motability scheme to new and existing clients• Driving Sales: Support the Franchise and non-franchise sales events. Press & media adverting, telesales and email campaigns.• Managed the motability sales, retention and return process• Day to day recording of sales activity, • On –time delivery of customer cars, vans and trucks. Show less

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  Restaurant Associates

  May 2014 - Oct 2015

  Account Director

  My Responsibilities Include:1. Operational responsibility for the Restaurant Associates Airport Lounge business in the UK2. Management of reactive and planned M.E.P. refurbishment and new build projects 3. Managing Key client relationships at local, UK and international level4. Finance including budgets, forecasts and full P&L management5. Identifying sales opportunities and developing new business6. Client retention 7. People planning Training and development8. Operational excellence, lean six sigma 9. Sales Presentations10. Project management11. Leading the senior managers and their teams Show less

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  Compass Group

  Oct 2015 - May 2020

  Account Director
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  Sodexo

  Nov 2020 - Jan 2022

  Field Operations Manager
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  Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

  Jan 2022 - now

  Change Manager