Managing Partner
Buchanan Travel
Relevant Experience and TrainingWorked for Southern Suns Hotels in South Africa in a supervisory capacityWorked for Stakis Hotel Group in Scotland. Largest independently owned hotel and steakhouse group in the UK (at the time). Trained in management and instructional techniques and qualified as a certified trainer.Worked in various capacities for British Airways in London, one of the world's gold standard companies. My advancement and training included the following:Initial six week training in customer service, safety and first aid, personal grooming, quality control and standards.Advanced customer service training during B.A.'s multi million pound marketing initiative "Putting People First" This was a major corporate strategy designed to take customer service beyond anything achieved in the airline industry at that time."Winning the Customer" training included sales and marketing strategies together with advanced customer service from a management perspective. I was selected for this training in preparation for my career advancement.I was selected as only one of 80 people throughout the UK to participate in an 18 month Open University program. The course content included management techniques, quality customer service, modern language, sales, marketing, psychology and social studies.Selected to join the British Airways Marketing and Promotions Team, a very select group within the business. I was trained in the process of planning and managing events for many high profile functions . I dealt with Royalty and VIP's, Heads of State, Senior Government officials, Captains of Industry and the General Public. In addition I handled press affairs for those events with which I was involved. This position entailed working all over Europe as well as events in Japan.