Ben Preston Email and Phone Number

OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT- Proficient at working on upward of 40 events simultaneously. I project managed each from conception through to completion, requiring site visits, client consultations, logistics, purchasing and staffing.- Comfortable managing multiple events daily. I delivered eight events, nationwide for Barclaycard’s 50th anniversary celebrations, catering for over 5000 employees. - I was hired by Ralph Lauren to source and brief 150 staff to deliver events across the UK and Europe which included the management of travel, accommodation, and logistics. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT- After restructuring the business and implementing numerous cost saving exercises with stock, staff and travel I increased profitability from 28% to 42% over a 5 year period.- I implemented event specific stock spreadsheets which accurately calculate par levels thus reducing wastage by 40% and stockholding by 30%.- Forecasting industry specific financial trends over the last 17 years has enabled me to accurately budget and predict cash flow on a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.- Experienced in delivering events with budgets ranging from £600 through to £3,000,000, I have always provided an outstanding value for money service.LEADERSHIP MANAGEMENT- I identified key skills in staff in order to delegate more responsibilities. Over a 2 year period I re-trained 4 event staff as event managers enabling management to be office based an additional 62 days per year.- An open an honest workplace with a ‘no blame’ culture was created. I facilitated debriefs after every event resulting in improved development programmes resulting in event productivity increasing by 35%.- I defined core objectives within the business which every employee understood and worked towards. Individuals were empowered, both the tools and guidance were given to them to achieve their targets.- Having implemented revised development programmes for both new starters and existing employees, efficiency in office based tasks increased by 45%.INFLUENCING SKILLS- Self-assured public speaker. I delivered a 3 hour interactive launch event for British Airways with 350 of their semi intoxicated guests. - Developing and improving longstanding relationships with partners such as Hilton has increased events from 6 to 29 in their venues over a 3 year period.- Assured and creative when dealing with a client’s requirements, I developed a bespoke cocktail alongside the CEO of Aston Martin for their new car launch.