St Albans Business Improvement District supports the local businesses in a designated area of the City Centre, to make our City vibrant, thriving and resilient. My role is to support and direct the BID Manager and the BID team to achieve the four objectives set out in the Business Plan, with specific emphasis on budgeting and cashflow.

Initially invited to Chair the BID Board during the Pandemic and supporting the BID Manager on projects for the Hospitality and Retail Industries during the ever changing times of the COVID-19 Pandemic and beyond. As the BID reached the final months of the first term the BID Manager left and I managed the BID on a part-time basis seeing the business through the re-ballot to successful completion, subsequently recruiting the current BID Manager.

Magenta Star was formed from a merger between Dreamtime Events and Immedia Imaging and specialised in a broad range of photography and entertainment concessions throughout the UK. Turnover c. £1.5m.• Proactively managed major account contracts; Christmas and concession business involving extensive travel nationally. • Successfully partnered with clients to build and maintain productive relationships; specifically developing a deep understanding of their businesses in order to support growth.• Overseeing the operating functions of the managed concessions and events. • Developing strategies for new businesses and building business cases for potential customers.• Direct marketing and external communications. • Setting and monitoring sales targets in partnership with clients to ensure sales, service and quality targets are met.• Overall financial control of the business maximising profitability.• Recruiting and mentoring key management and personnel to ensure talent is attracted, retained and developed. • Ultimate responsibility for personnel management including employment law.

A management company with a turnover of £1,000,000, which operated various seasonal events in shopping centres throughout the UK. • Recruited, trained, mentored and directed a small core management team plus an additional 300 seasonal grotto staff nationwide.• Steered all aspects of the business ensuring that the company was run efficiently and effectively, complied with all statutory regulations and was generating good profit margins.• Spearheaded end to end sales process, including responding to RFPs and tenders, preparing quotations for individual contracts, negotiating and closing deals.• Built relationships with clients to ensure longevity of business.• Devised and implemented the marketing strategy.• Controlled all accounting procedures, cash flow and profitability.

280,000 sq. ft. of retail space owned by P&O Shopping Centres, including Marks & Spencer, C&A and BHS; 950 space car park; 450 seat food court; 120,000 sq ft. of office accommodation; £1,000,000 service charge budget.• Reported to Finance Director based in Manchester and had sole responsibility for the Harrow site. • Ran all aspects of the operation including, service charge budgets for six cost centres relating to the properties, negotiating and managing service contracts, controlling accounting procedures, letting mall space, marketing strategy and implementation and employee recruitment and training and management of 30+ staff.• Member of the Harrow Town Centre Steering Group.• Additionally managed the Chapelfield Shopping Centre, Brentwood, Essex, with a full time Caretaker, at the same time.