David Fairclough

Experienced and highly motivated senior leader with extensive expertise across retail, leisure, hospitality, and multisite operations. Proven track record in general management, strategic planning, commercial performance, compliance, change management, and large‑scale people leadership. Recognised for driving operational excellence through structure, process improvement, and a pragmatic, people‑centred leadership style.

Adept at influencing stakeholders, developing high‑performing teams, and delivering strong results across customer, financial, safety, and compliance metrics.

Area Manager - Entain – Ladbrokes/Coral - South Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire

(2022-07)

Operational leader responsible for 24 shops and 140 colleagues across South Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire, delivering financial performance, industry‑leading compliance, and colleague engagement.

• Developed an open, supportive culture through in‑person, written, and video communication.
• Coached and promoted 7 colleagues into management roles.
• Achieved 15% YoY improvement in colleague engagement through structured feedback analysis and action planning.
• Embedded multiple new compliance systems, processes, and customer protection initiatives.
• Trained teams to identify and act on safer gambling concerns through observation and customer interaction.
• Conducted reviews and interventions, including customer suspensions where required.
• Ensured customers received maximum value across platforms, products, and sports through informed colleague guidance.
• Managed EBITDA and labour cost performance while balancing commercial delivery with social responsibility.
• Regional representative on the National Forum, gathering insights from 17 peers and influencing national initiatives.
• Provided weekly commercial feedback to central teams.
• Delivered regional meetings and coaching sessions.

General Manager – Haggerston Castle Holiday Park - Bourne Leisure – Haven

(2021-02 - 2022-07)

Led a multi‑million‑pound holiday park spanning 200 acres, 9 lakes, 1100+ accommodation bases, 2 pools, 5 bars, 7 food outlets, and multiple leisure and retail operations. Recruited up to 200 seasonal colleagues annually.

• Accountable for 300 colleagues including management teams.
• Promoted 15+ colleagues across all levels in one year.
• Created an inclusive, communicative culture with strong visibility and recognition.
• Led a structural review affecting over 50% of permanent staff.
• Delivered exceptional first impressions through service, presentation, and COVID‑safe cleaning standards.
• Maintained high maintenance standards across accommodation, leisure, F&B, and retail.
• Used customer metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Ensured safety for up to 7,500 guests and owners at peak.
• Managed complex H&S operations including machinery, infrastructure, lakes, pest control, legionella, norovirus, and COVID protocols.
• Achieved strong food safety performance across 12 outlets.
• Led the Storm Arwen recovery, managing £2.5m+ in damage and repairs.
• Delivered record EBITDA in 2021, despite delayed opening and restricted facilities.
• Balanced holiday sales vs. holiday home sales to maximise return.
• Delivered £7.5m EBITDA, £300k above budget, with £15m+ labour and operational cost accountability.
• Conducted strategic cost‑saving and investment reviews.

General Manager – Berwick Holiday Park - Bourne Leisure – Haven

(2017-12 - 2020-02)

• Built strong foundations in year one, creating a unified team culture.
• Delivered top‑5 guest metrics and exceptional balanced scorecard performance in 2019.
• Achieved £4.2m EBITDA vs £3.7m budget, the highest % and total beat in the company.
• Negotiated a complex land purchase enabling a 25% park expansion.

General Manager Designate – Caister & Various Parks - Bourne Leisure – Haven

(2017-07 - 2017-12)

Supported operations across five diverse parks, providing leadership stability and operational continuity.

Head of Operations – Telecoms - Sainsbury's

(2015-11 - 2017-07)

Led a multi‑million‑pound telecoms business across 38 Phoneshops and 350 stores, defining strategy, delivering initiatives, and ensuring data integrity.

• Reduced fraudulent activity by 80%, achieving industry‑leading clawback.
• Delivered £8m BU sales (+9.3%), £3m Phoneshop sales (+14%), and +7.7% profit to budget.
• Achieved 100% Net Promoter Score from EE.
• Launched Broadband, TV & Talk, EE upgrades, trade‑ins, and new propositions.
• Played a key role in the development and lifecycle of Mobile by Sainsbury's (500k customers).

Senior Retail Manager – Telecoms - Sainsbury's

(2014-01 - 2015-11)

• Delivered the Phoneshop growth strategy and rollout across 38 sites.
• Developed formats, operating models, and recruitment campaigns.
• Supported the promotion of 40+ colleagues across three management levels.

Retail Support Manager – Non‑Foods - Sainsbury's

(2009-02 - 2014-01)

• Supported 400+ trading colleagues with solutions to operational challenges.
• Acted as retail stakeholder on major long‑term initiatives.

Retail Support Manager – Grocery Non‑Foods, H&B & GM - Sainsbury's

(2006-08 - 2009-02)

• Oversaw retail execution across 25 categories and £2bn turnover.
• Key contributor to resolving operational issues during the E‑UK closure.
• Retail stakeholder for major events including the £13m Toy Stunt and £30m January Sale.

Retail Operations Specialist – Core & Impulse Grocery - Sainsbury's

(2005-04 - 2006-08)

• Supported Business Unit Directors in delivering trading plans.
• Led PIRs and improved category review processes.

Retail Specialist – Beers, Wines & Spirits - Sainsbury's

(2003-04 - 2005-03)

• Supported trading teams across all retail operations.
• Delivered training programmes across the UK, France, and Spain.

Retail Implementation Manager (Secondment) - Sainsbury's

(2001-01 - 2003-04)

• Introduced the Off Licence Manager role into 120 stores.
• Designed recruitment, selection, and integration processes.

Department Manager & Store Roles - Sainsbury's

(1991-08 - 2001-01)

Held multiple operational and leadership roles across store environments.

BA (Hons) - Business Studies (1992 - 1994)

A‑Levels - Business Studies, Geography, General Studies (1992)

GCSEs - General (1989 - 1990)