David Crooke

An accomplished operations manager with a track record of success in the events management and retail sectors, with a strong business focus, backed up by excellent staff training, marketing, sales and account management skills. Confident and assertive, I have demonstrated effective leadership in building and developing highly skilled teams. An effective communicator, I can embrace change in a positive and constructive way.

I am seeking to utilize my extensive hospitality experience in a mentoring/training role with students embarking on a career in hospitality.

Sales Assistant - Majestic Wine Warehouses - Bath

(2016-01)

A permanent sales assistant role working four days a week out of the Bath store.

Event Manager - Bath and North East Somerset Council - Bath

(2016-01)

A part time Event Manager role for Bath Heritage Venues in the centre of Bath.

Food & Beverage Manager / Hospitality Consultant - Eastwood Park - Eastwood Park

(2016-01)

Residential corporate training and private event venue - Managing a team of two full time chefs and three full time front of house staff; the bar and restaurant/event space.

• Managing the purchasing of Food and Beverages
• Recruitment of staff, training (food service, wine tasting, H&S etc.), appraisals (SMART) and organising weekly duty rotas for the front of house and chefs
• Menu planning
• Build on the relationship Eastwood Park had started with Eastwood Park Women's Prison to employ prisoners in hospitality who are seeking imminent release from prison

Hospitality Consultant - Whitminster Inn and Benson's Catering Ltd - Whitminster

(2016-01)

Advising both businesses on the feasibility of Benson's Catering basing themselves at the Whitminster Inn to organise the catering in both marquees at this venue near Gloucester.

• Managing events for both companies at the Whitminster Inn (and some outside catering for Benson's)
• Rationalising the systems in place at the Whitminster Inn for enquiries, client show arounds, quoting, P & L for each event and redesigning the menus

Hospitality Manager - Ampersand Catering (part of CH & Co Ltd) - Birmingham Botanical Gardens

(2015-06 - 2015-12)

A part time Hospitality Manager role based at Birmingham Botanical Gardens managing up to four full time and twenty casual staff for any one event.

• Responsible for managing various events – Wedding receptions; Conferences; Dinners and Christmas parties up to 350

Senior Events Manager - Calcot Leisure Ltd - Calcot Kitchens

(2011-01 - 2015-12)

A Senior Event Manager role with Calcot Kitchens within the Calcot Leisure Group of hotels (Calcot Leisure closed Calcot Kitchens in 2015 to purchase another hotel and focus on this side of the business).

• Managing one full time event staff member and twenty event staff at any one event
• Liaising, quoting and event managing (Charity polo events; weddings; dinners; BBQ's; private parties)
• Responsible for H & S for events on green field sites for events
• Staff development and training including appraisals and reviews
• Managing event budgets to maximize event sales. Hands on client focussed role

Sales Assistant - Oddbins Ltd - Clifton Village, Bristol

(2010-01 - 2011-12)

A part time sales role based in the Clifton Village store; Merchandising and sales in store.

Business Development - Forest Produce Ltd - Bristol

(2010-01 - 2011-12)

A temporary role to help develop Forest Produce in the Bristol area and to increase their portfolio of product sales.

Fundraising Assistant - Bristol Community Festival - Bristol Harbourside

(2010-01 - 2010-12)

A temporary role to assist with the fundraising activity for the 2010 Festival on Bristol's Harbourside.

• Canvassing professional organisations to solicit funds
• Developing a marketing plan to target donors

Head of Corporate Events - At Bristol - Bristol

(2004-01 - 2010-12)

Overseeing all aspects of the Corporate Hospitality business making use of the venues on the 11-acre city centre location.

• Managing five full time members of staff plus part time event staff
• Managing and monitoring the catering contract (Café and Hospitality Catering)
• Maximising the income from venue hire, catering and events to exceed monthly targets
• Managing the sales development team in identifying and developing new products, commercial income streams and identifying partnerships to enhance At Bristol's offer to clients
• Successful development of TV filming on site including Mistresses and Casualty
• Building strong relationships with key clients including Rolls Royce; First Great Western; City of Bristol College, Bristol City Council, Lloyds Banking Group etc

Sales and Events Manager - Fosters Event Catering - At Bristol

(2000-01 - 2004-12)

Events Manager for all corporate and private events held at At Bristol (Fosters were the main event caterer to At Bristol with a turnover of £450k per annum).

• Developing catering sales (excluding café) on site and marketing the venue with the client
• Seeking additional venues and clients for Fosters in and around Bristol
• Meeting, quoting, liaising and managing events for corporate and private clients

Partner - Andouthwaites Event Catering - Bristol

(1990-01 - 2000-12)

Provision of event organising and catering to private and corporate clients.

• Consultancy role involving planning, designing and financial appraisal for corporate clients that included – Trafalgar House Group, Logica UK and Clive Sutton Group
• I managed three full time staff and casual event staff
• Organised and managed the 'outsourced' catering for Baring Securities staff restaurant in City of London

Warehouse Manager - Majestic Wine Warehouses - Multiple locations

(1987-01 - 1990-12)

Starting as a trainee at the Battersea Branch, I moved on to become an assistant manager at the Wimbledon branch. Opened and managed Catford branch. Managed the Shepherd's Bush store.

OND - Hotel Catering and Institutional Operations

WSET Certificate - Wines

WSET Higher Certificate - Wines