Benjamin Pugh-Jones personal email
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As a child I travelled overseas frequently and spent a great deal of time in hotels. This is how I fell in love with hotels and the experiences that they create for clients. After graduating in Hotel Management through the International Hotel School in Durban, I was given the opportunity to begin my career working for Ritz-Carlton Hotels in the United States and later then for Red Carnation in South Africa. These are hands-down some of the worlds most exquisite hotels that operate on the highest level. Later I joined the family business, Travel Incorporated, which focuses on Luxury Travel and providing a Concierge level of service to our clients who are predominantly High-Income/High-Net Worth individuals. Besides providing both Leisure and Corporate Travel Management to our clients, we also have a Wholesale division in the cruising sector where we have Last Inventory Access for 19 cruise-lines around the world, allowing us to sell incredible products on to other Travel Agents around Southern Africa. My role was to focus on New Business Development as well as general Travel Management at Travel Inc.In 2017 I added a completely new dimension to career - the world of agriculture. I very quickly began learning everything I could about produce, farming techniques and hydroponic or more sustainable practices. This lead me to a conversation with the owners of a large Retail store who agreed to sell what I grow and Lively Greens Hydroponic Fresh Produce Farm in Tongaat, on the KwaZulu Natal North Coast was formed.Whilst immersed in the world of produce, I decided to explore the best ways to sell it. This led me to dodging hysters and pallet jacks at the local Fresh Produce Market in Clairewood, Durban. This is what started my journey into not only selling the produce grown at Lively Greens Farm, but also forming a distribution leg of Lively Greens, supplying retailers with produce from the market as well as arbitraging between various markets and sourcing produce when demand is not being met.In 2020 I joined the incredible IOEC team where I now oversee all Dry and Perishable commodities into the Seychelles market. I trade everything from containers of Chicken and Beef, Flour and Sugar to Home and Personal Care, sourced from markets around the world and via sea and airfreight.
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Strategic Partnership ManagerIoecDurban, Kzn, Za
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Business AdvisorTravel Inc Sep 2020 - PresentDurban, Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaGeneral advising on planning and implementation of products and services, management of advertising campaigns and financial management of the business. -
Business Development ManagerTravel Inc Jun 2011 - Sep 2020Umhlanga, Durban, South AfricaWith Travel Incorporated having a small staff compliment, my role as Business Development Manager expands beyond the normal duties. My main focus is on the marketing and advertising of our business as a retail and wholesale travel company, analyzing trends in the travel industry and creating strategies to take advantage of these changes as well as growing our travel product offerings from partnerships with new cruise lines to travel insurance, car hire, hotel booking platforms, etc.As we aim to provide our clients with concierge level travel services, I also often find myself consulting to clients, sharing my travel experiences and knowledge of both the hotel and cruising industries.
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FounderLively Greens Oct 2017 - PresentDurban Area, South AfricaLively Greens is comprised of three divisions, the Farm, the Distribution and the Trading. The passion for farming was the catalyst for the creation of a farm where fresh produce is grown from seed using sustainable, hydroponic techniques. This evolved into an additional business where we buy produce from other farmers and markets to supply our retail clients. Lastly, we have begun taking advantage of opportunities to arbitrage between markets as well as source produce from local farmers to supply markets where current supply does not meet demand. -
Information Technology And Services ConsultantDurban Holocaust & Genocide Centre Oct 2012 - PresentDurban Area, South AfricaWith my knowledge in IT and Web Development, I consulted to the Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre on the design and development of their website; their online marketing and advertising campaigns; database management; as well as the implementation of internal systems and applications. The Durban Holocaust and Genocide Centre is one of Durban’s preeminent educational facilities and museums, dedicated to creating a more just and caring society where human rights for all are respected and valued. -
Strategic Partnership ManagerIoec Jul 2023 - Apr 2024Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaWith the expansion of businesses who are either owned by IOEC or which IOEC has entered into a Joint Venture with, I have filled a new role of Strategic Partnership Manager.The aim of my role is to take the lessons learnt in finding what products work, methods of how to sell these products to our customers and how to maximise our partnerships with suppliers for New Product Development. In addition to the commercial side of these new businesses, my respondibility includes looking at how the internal reporting is being carried out, how to make make the purchasing and stock management more effiencient and overseeing the entire value chain from EXW through CIF and ultimately to the Retail On Shelf Price.
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Business Development Manager - SeychellesIoec Jul 2022 - Dec 2023Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaIn my role as a Business Development Manager for IOEC, I am involved in all aspects of sourcing, securing and managing the supply chain for a wide variety of Dry and Perishable Commodities to customers in the Seychelles market. These customers range from Government agencies, Retailers and HORECA (Hotel Restaurants and Catering) Distributors.Responsibilities includes sourcing suitable product, price negotiation and payment terms, forecast planning, liaising with suppliers, freight forwarders and clearing agents, as well as managing client expectations.A significant part of my role is spent carrying out market research to ensure that products are priced correctly, accounting for all inputs in the value chain. Products that I currently trade range from Proteins, Fresh and Frozen Produce, Dairy, Grains and Edible Oils as well as a wide range of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) including Home Care, Personal Care and Food and Beverages. These products are sourced both locally in South Africa as well as Cross Traded from other international markets, supplied through sea freight Frozen and Chilled Reefer and General Purpose containers and airfreight.
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Business Development Manager - ApexIoec Jul 2021 - Jul 2022Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaAs Business Development Manager for Apex, Seychelles, I am responsible for the supply of products to Apex Hotel Supplies, and IOEC owned business and one of the largest distribution businesses in the Seychelles.The range of products which Apex procure range from Fresh and Frozen Perishables, Dry Perishables, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), as well as a variety of commodity based items including sugar and rice.Apex is the exclusive distributor in Seychelles for a number of globally know brands from Mondelez and PepsiCo to Nivea and Elle et Vire. Apex also manages a number of South African brands which are incredibly well established in Seychelles ranging from the Tiger Brands portfolio, National Brands (AVI) and more.
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Business Development Manager - Perishables - ApexIoec Sep 2020 - Jun 2021Durban, Kwazulu-Natal, South AfricaWith Apex Hotel Supplies, an IOEC owned business and one of the largest distributors in the Seychelles market, my role as Business Development Manager for the Perishable category, I am responsible for the management of products from source to the arrival of the product in Port Victoria, Seychelles.The products I am response for range from Fresh and Frozen Proteins, Produce and Dairy. These products require very specific cold-chains which need to be managed from production until it has sold to the end consumer.These products are source from both South Africa as well as from key production areas around the world ranging fromSouthern and Central America, Europe and Asia.
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Front Of House - LeaderThe Oyster Box, Red Carnation Hotels Dec 2009 - Jun 2011Durban Area, South AfricaBesides the standard roles of supervising tasks, monitoring performance, ensuring adherence to company policies, training and delegating work for the Front Desk, Concierge, Porters, Call Centre and Gift Shop, we were also encouraged to prepare the transition of guests checking in and checking out of the hotel the following day. We are also the first point of contact when there are complaints or opportunities to better a guests experiences.Whilst working at the Oyster Box Hotel, I was also involved in a Mentorship Program where I was selected as mentee to the General Manager, Wayne Coetzer, who is undoubtedly one of South Africas leading Hoteliers. -
Guest ServicesThe Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company Llc Jul 2007 - Jun 2009Naples, Florida AreaMy time at the incredible, 5 Star, 4 Diamond Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort began as a Front Office Internship that quickly turned into an unforgettable experience, exposing me the entire Front of House and Rooms division. The majority of my time initially was focused on Front Desk, Concierge, Groups, Reservations, PBX. But with a resort that is almost always full and management that were extremely supportive, I soon took over the Management of the Club Lounge, an exclusive private lounge only accessible to V.I.P. clients and guests staying in certain room categories.My two years at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples taught me a great deal about meeting the unexpressed wishes and need of my clients, past and present and I carry a lot of the values I learned here with me today.
Benjamin Pugh-Jones Skills
Benjamin Pugh-Jones Education Details
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Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services -
Hotel/Motel Administration/Management -
International Hotel SchoolHospitality Management -
Matric
Frequently Asked Questions about Benjamin Pugh-Jones
What company does Benjamin Pugh-Jones work for?
Benjamin Pugh-Jones works for Ioec
What is Benjamin Pugh-Jones's role at the current company?
Benjamin Pugh-Jones's current role is Strategic Partnership Manager.
What is Benjamin Pugh-Jones's email address?
Benjamin Pugh-Jones's email address is bp****@****ail.com
What schools did Benjamin Pugh-Jones attend?
Benjamin Pugh-Jones attended Varsity College, Ahlei - American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, International Hotel School, Crawfordschools South Africa.
What are some of Benjamin Pugh-Jones's interests?
Benjamin Pugh-Jones has interest in Social Services, Children, Trail Running, Website Development, Education, Triathlons, Online Marketing, Investing And Trading, Sustainable Agriculture, Human Rights.
What skills is Benjamin Pugh-Jones known for?
Benjamin Pugh-Jones has skills like Hotels, Hospitality Management, Brand Development, Online Marketing, Food And Beverage, Tourism, Online Advertising, Hospitality Industry, Hospitality, Rooms Division, Pre Opening, Equity Trading.
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