Chris Pourgourides Email and Phone Number
* 20+ years of Commercial Sales experience (Leisure, Luxury, Corporate sectors)* 12+ years of Marketing experience: Strategy, Content, Digital, SEM, Print, CRM* 10+ years of Team Leadership & Development (In person & Remote)* Specialist client base: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, Germany, Japan, SE Asia and other Mixed Global markets.* Financial experience: Full P&L, Budget ownership, Forecasting, Pricing, Cost reduction* Employment sectors: Visitor attractions, Tour Operators, DMCs, Sightseeing* Industry: UKinbound Board Member and active industry player – VisitBritain/VisitEngland, ETOA, USTOA, Les Clefs D’Or.CORE COMPETENCIESA wealth of experience on an international level driving Revenue Growth through Sales and Marketing strategy, implementation and team leadership in the Leisure and Tourism sector. Skilled at relationship building, business development, product innovation, commercial operations and team development.STRATEGYDevelopment of integrated Sales and Marketing strategies – market research, competitor analysis, defining USPs, budget, forecasting, pricing, tactics, contingency and review.B2B SALES & ACCOUNT MANAGEMENTA proven track record of sourcing, nurturing and growing B2B sales at the highest level with accounts in excess of £1m p.a. Skilled in Consultative Sales Process, C-Suite liaison, channel strategy, contracting, negotiation, events. MARKETING & B2CExperienced in online distribution in the B2B and B2C spaces - website / portal design, optimisation, SEM, paid campaigns, content creation, project planning, social channels and driving CRM.PRODUCT & OPERATIONSHighly adept in creating exciting new products to drive revenue growth with an EBITDA focus. Procurement and primary contact for suppliers - hotels, attractions, transport, guides and catering.TEAM DEVELOPMENTExperienced in recruitment, definition of structure and roles, setting of KPIs, performance management, annual appraisals, training and support and identifying opportunities for career growth.PERSONAL ATTRIBUTESA dedicated, motivated and enthusiastic hands-on team player known for reliability, resourcefulness, integrity and overall delivery and success. Excellent communication skills, with a proven ability to open doors and establish win-win business relationships with all industry stakeholders, both in the UK and globally.An honest and open management style fostering a culture where individuals are given the freedom and trust to succeed. A confident, passionate and highly persuasive presenter.
Abbey Group
View- Website:
- abbeygroup.ie
- Employees:
- 156
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Sales Director - UkAbbey Group Sep 2024 - Present
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Non Executive DirectorUkinbound Feb 2024 - PresentLondon Area, United Kingdom -
Chief Commercial Officer (Cco)Eurowelcome Jul 2023 - Sep 2024London, England, United KingdomEurowelcome is the longest established Destination Management Company in London, providing custom group and FIT services to over 300 partners worldwide. Eurowelcome also owns its own coaches and operates its own scheduled touring brands. Accomplishments (to date)* Created and launched a new start up scheduled touring brand – British Heritage Tours – designed specifically to engage new markets to the organisation* Completed market research to establish a compelling brand proposition – created/sourced all content for brand and experiences* Contracting of all elements of touring programme – hotels (including Clermont, Millennium, Hilton, Virgin Hotels, Hotel Indigo and several independents), transport, attractions, catering, guides* Led design, implementation and upkeep of new B2C website, new B2B booking portal, new CRM system, E-newsletters and tactical campaigns* Financial costing for all tours establishing optimum pricing, break even and GP.* Joined trade associations to establish market presence and undertook independent long haul sales trips to secure new client base* Establishment of a new active sales base for scheduled touring across OTA’s, tour operators, DMCs and travel agents to operate a significant number of departures in year one*Custom Groups: Created dedicated content and itineraries, researched main producers in new markets, established regular enquiries and confirmed bookings within first 6 months (segments include religious tours, high schools and universities, student groups and general leisure).* Commercial operations: analysed reports and closed departures as necessary to support profitability* Reservations: established concierge style communication to B2C guests using WhatsApp groups/Direct Mail and dedicated web reference pages (Accommodation / FAQs)* Technology: Mastered Tourplan booking system and led API connectivity strategy to drive efficiencies in pushing products out for sale and pulling in supplier products. -
Director Of Sales & New Business DevelopmentThe Travel Corporation Feb 2018 - Jun 2023Evan Evans Tours is the highest reviewed operator of guided day tour experiences in the UK and part of The Travel Corporation – a worldwide family of multi award-winning travel brands. Evan Evans is also a wholesaler of attraction tickets, hop-on hop-off tours, afternoon tea experiences and west end theatre tickets through its dedicated international sales channels.Accomplishments* Led all aspects of B2B sales and marketing growing client base, sourcing new revenue streams, pioneering new products, price setting, mentoring a successful team and acting as they key contact for all stakeholder relationships. Responsible for 90% of turnover (circa £26m).* Signed multiple pre-departure sales agreements of up to £1m p.a. to maximise yield and protect key relationships*Spearheaded inter-brand collaboration as an active collaborator in cross-Group sales calls. Shared sales leads, tips, learning and best practise and helped to keep revenue within the company by creating products with Red Carnation Hotels and Highland Explorer Tours.* Integrated product of sister company in Scotland into booking system to expand product range, USPs and B2B engagement* Oversaw introduction of new tech stack achieving a smooth transition for all selling partners. Led API connectivity strategy with both selling clients (push) and suppliers (pull). * Introduced new revenue stream via a white label-based theatre booking solution to expand B2B engagement* Pivoted to domestic market during travel restrictions selling 832 units of a new product within 4 months* Created 3 unique tours securing exclusive collaborations with household name brands* People: Led implementation of Personal Development Plans for each team member and oversaw Consultative Sales Process training.* Grew major supplier relationships including Warner Bros. Studio Tour London, Royal Collection Trust, Historic Royal Palaces, English Heritage, Merlin Entertainments and many more -
Director Of Sales And MarketingThe Travel Corporation Jan 2015 - Jan 2018Accomplishments* Drove major markets of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, SE Asia, Scandinavia and other mixed markets to become the largest single supplier - via independent sales trips, CRM, commercial arrangements, cross-selling and training.*Led the annual pricing strategy in conjunction with the Head of Finance, using sales analysis, customer feedback, client insights and competitor analysis. *Reduced operating costs by 5% while managing to increase overall gross revenue. * Managed a team of up to 10 direct reports both on site and remotely, developing many to higher roles while maintaining a consistently high performance. Organised team building activities and strategy sessions, held annual appraisals and built Personal Development Plans.* Secured new ticketing contract with major attraction IP and grew the relationship and sales of the associated tour, to see it become the largest single product in gross revenue.* Led annual stakeholder event involving partners from global markets – sourcing venue, sponsorship, catering, AV, leading presentations and executing marketing communications* Responsibility for Marketing function liaising with designer to deliver annual brochure in digital and print formats, all sales collateral with local agents.*CRM: Managed client database with support of Sales Team. Issued regular engaging B2B content to ensure a continued brand presence, support cross-sales activity and widen awareness of portfolio over all global markets (Tour operators, OTA's, DMCs, ticket agencies, Trade Press, Tourism Bodies, DMOs and other brands within parent company).
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Sales ManagerThe Travel Corporation Sep 2012 - Dec 2014London, United KingdomThe aim of the role was to drive new B2B business in new markets while further expanding sales in existing markets utilising network of relationships and contacts. Key channels: OTA’s, tour operators, DMC’s, hotel concierge and ticket agencies.Accomplishments* Developed Scandinavia as a lead market contracting new clients that drove in excess of £1m annual turnover* Led London hotel concierge sales through regular 121 visits, joining the Associates Committee of Les Clefs D’Or and taking an active role in the London 2012 Congress on a voluntary basis* Undertook independent sales trips to long haul markets acting as Brand Ambassador, securing new business, and enriching current partnerships. Grew overall company sales by 20%* Created new tour descriptions to better communicate USPs and maximise sales conversion
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Account ManagerMerlin Entertainments Sep 2007 - Sep 2012London, United KingdomMerlin Entertainments is the world’s second largest visitor attractions organisation, now operating 120 attractions in over 40 countries. Merlin merged with The Tussauds Group in 2007 and across the two organisations I made a major contribution to the UK Trade Sales Team for over 11 years.Accomplishments* Acted as a driving force behind the merger of Merlin with The Tussauds Group which opened up vast cross-selling opportunities. Exceeded annual targets for over 20 visitor attractions across dedicated geographic territory* Brand Champion: created the annual trade sales strategy for The London Eye, SEA LIFE London Aquarium, Madame Tussauds London and the London Dungeon in collaboration with Marketing teams.*Responsible for top tier accounts across the Concierge, Sightseeing and OTA sectors and development of key markets including USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Consistently increased sales for all London attractions by over 30% during a five year period and significantly increased accessibility to the brand, improving its image as a collaborative partner.* Undertook independent sales trips to key markets such as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand as well as attending key trade events such as World Travel Market. *Led sales activity at key UK trade events including World Travel Market, ITB, GEM, BTTS and many more: organised client meeting programme and looked after daily running of brand presence in a live event.*Mentored new team recruits assisting with their induction and organising shadowing and coaching sessions to ensure a smooth on-boarding process.*Volunteered to run the Americas Interest Group for two years to advance profile of the attractions in the US market. Organised speakers, communicated with members, chaired meetings and issued minutes.*Awarded Honorary Life Membership of the Society of the Golden Keys (GB) for going over and above in supporting the Society and the London 2012 Congress -
Non Executive DirectorUkinbound Feb 2008 - Feb 2012London, United KingdomI joined the Board of Directors in 2008 and served for two terms of two years each. The Board of Directors help to advise the Secretariat on the development of the Association. I also served on the Membership Committee and helped to drive the recruitment and development of activities to create added value for members. In the second term I helped create the Marketing Committee: chairing the meetings and helping to advise the Secretariat on strategy and tactics.
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International Account ManagerThe Tussauds Group Sep 2001 - Sep 2007London, England, United KingdomThe Tussauds Group was the largest visitor attractions operator in the UK before it merged with Merlin Entertainments in 2007. The original portfolio included The London Eye, Madame Tussauds (London & Amsterdam), Rock Circus, The London Planetarium, Warwick Castle, Chessington World of Adventures, Thorpe Park and Alton Towers). This role was based in London but with cross-sales across the portfolio.*Grew sales over a dedicated geographic territory consisting of small to medium sized B2B accounts in London and the UK with overseas territories in Spain, Portugal, Greece and South Africa. Segments included DMC's, ground handlers, tour operators and ticket agencies. *Developed Corporate Sales channel: defining offers and sourcing distribution across major corporations in the banking, trade union and telecommunications industries.*Attended key sales events in London, Birmingham and in overseas markets such as Germany, Spain, South Africa and the USA. *Liaised closely with the consumer Marketing team helping to integrate their campaigns into B2B sales channels through dedicated activity and trade press releases.*Responsible for relationship with Guild of Registered Tourist Guides: held regular meetings and dedicated networking events resulting in positive relations and spreading awareness across brand portfolio.
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Guest Services AssistantMadame Tussauds London 1998 - 2001* Acted as a key member of the Operations team for one of the most popular visitor attractions in London - organising entry of Groups and working as a member of the Operations team inside the attraction.* Liaised with Trade Sales and Marketing teams to aid company objectives and ensure synergy of company goals* Acted as a passionate brand ambassador helping to build the knowledge and enjoyment of each guest* Drove sales with walk up guests and drove upsell through secondary spend.
Chris Pourgourides Skills
Chris Pourgourides Education Details
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Brunel University, UxbridgeFirst Class -
The Latymer SchoolA-Levels: 3, Gcse'S: 9
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Chase Side Primary School
Frequently Asked Questions about Chris Pourgourides
What company does Chris Pourgourides work for?
Chris Pourgourides works for Abbey Group
What is Chris Pourgourides's role at the current company?
Chris Pourgourides's current role is Commercial Strategy | B2B Partnerships | Direct Sales | Marketing | Product Innovation | Team Building.
What schools did Chris Pourgourides attend?
Chris Pourgourides attended Brunel University, Uxbridge, Cim | The Chartered Institute Of Marketing, The Latymer School, Chase Side Primary School.
What skills is Chris Pourgourides known for?
Chris Pourgourides has skills like Leadership, Customer Experience, Tourism, Travel Management, Yield Management, B2b, Online Marketing, Key Account Management, Account Management, Sales, Trade Shows, Microsoft Powerpoint.
Who are Chris Pourgourides's colleagues?
Chris Pourgourides's colleagues are Nicolas Koncke, Genevieve Abbey, Prasanjit Narzary, Tom Sampson, Sascha Olicard, Flavie Bernard, Victoria Monk.
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