Ben Robinson Email & Phone Number

Oxford, England, United Kingdom

London, England, United Kingdom

London, United Kingdom

Working with the Strategic Portfolio Director in making bid / no-bid decisions using commercial acumen and knowledge of contracts Leading the costing of proposals put together by SMEs across the business Overseeing proposals and bids Leading & supporting negotiations for new business opportunities Qualification of new business opportunities and allocation of capture budgets Providing expert advice and guidance to the business on commercial matters Acting as a catalyst to change and inspire others to change Leading a team of Commercial Business Partners

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Originally conceived as a personal development project in place of an MBA course, as well as to provide a passive income. Restrictions placed on the project were a $5000 start-up investment and remote operation by the owner. Expansion was to be funded purely by earned profits. Personally undertook all tasks during start up, including but not limited to initial concept, branding and logo design, recipe and menu design, interior and furniture design, commercial kitchen design & installation, marketing and advertising & financial management.Business was planned and prepared in free time between July and December 2014, opening in late December 2014. The restaurant became immediately popular with Saigons large expat population and middle class Vietnamese, leading to a second restaurant opening at the end of 2015. Business was sold to Vietnamese partner in October 2017 who is currently growing the operation to a franchise status. As of sale employs 15 full time staff.

Mekong Region (Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar)

Primarily responsible for business development in the Mekong Region, also responsible for managing SMEC Vietnam JSC Company’s (National subsidiary) branch office in Ho Chi Minh City Developed business development skills within existing staff & managers. Contributed to the winning of projects within and outside the region with contract values totaling over US$48million.Sectors ranging across Water Supply, Wastewater & Sanitation, Climate Change Adaptation & Mitigation, Transport (Highway, Metro, Inland Waterways & Ports), Hydropower, Power Generation & Transmission, Education, Environment, Social Development in countries including China, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea & East Timor. Clients ranging from National Governments, International Development Banks, Multinational Corporations, International Aid Agencies & Commercial Developers.Set and maintained standards for general marketing material, EOIs and proposals in Mekong Region.Assisted in the implementation of corporate marketing strategies; Developed and maintained the Client Relationship Management (CRM) and Marketing Database / System in accordance with SMEC’s Business Management System (BMS); Developed strategies in conjunction with the Regional Managers and Functional Managers to secure strategic opportunities and provided strategic input into key EOI’s and proposals; Developed and maintained key client relationships in conjunction with the relevant Regional and Functional Managers; Developed strategies in conjunction with corporate communications and marketing for profiling the SMEC brand including conferences, advertising, award submissions etc; Managed marketing, advertising and promotions budgets; Informed Regional Managers and Functional Managers of opportunities and key client contacts and arranged meetings and introductions; Responsible for preparation, review and submission of all EOI/Proposals of all functions within the Region and beyond.

Yangon, Myanmar

The primary purpose of this role was to establish the subsidiary company ‘SMEC Myanmar’, set up the company’s business management system and establish work culture, to handover to the permanent Country manager, when recruited. As Country Manager, responsible for all aspects including sourcing office, hiring and recruitment, legal & tax compliance, financial forecasting and control, overseeing existing in country projects, marketing activities and business development.• Establish branch office, recruit full time national staff, source premises and equipment/ vehicles• Manage cash flow for branch office and in country projects, liaise with clients, provide and organize support for existing projects, manage payroll and salary/ contract payments for all National staff and project staff, provide support to Project Director and Team Leader of running projects• Carry specific tasks as instructed by the Mekong Region Manager.• Proactive approach in determining opportunities that are likely to come up from current and potential clients across a range of sectors operated under the Region.• Develop strategies in conjunction with the Regional Managers and Functional Managers to secure strategic opportunities and provide strategic input into key EOI’s and proposals;• Keep Regional Managers and Functional Managers informed of other opportunities and key client contacts as they arise and arrange the necessary meetings and introductions as required;• Develop and maintain key client relationships in conjunction with the relevant Regional and Functional Managers;• Develop strategies in conjunction with corporate communications and marketing for profiling the SMEC brand including conferences, advertising, award submissions etc.;• Manage operations and project budgets as appropriate;• Develop business development skills within existing staff / managers.• Monthly reporting to Regional Manager; and• Strict adherence to SMEC’s Business Management System (BMS).