Consultant in tourism development and destination marketing; experienced in preparing development strategies and funding applications; feasibility studies; industry research; economic impact evaluations.

Responsible for the design and successful implementation of the London Tourism Action Plan. This involved analysing the need for public intervention in support of the industry and submitting business plans for investment of RDA funding. I worked directly with the industry to improve the quality of our tourism product and visitor welcome, deploying a budget of £ 1.5 million. I placed particular emphasis on improving the accessibility and sustainability of London’s tourism businesses. I worked in partnership with the Mayor’s Office to prepare the city for the hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games. I represented London in national tourism policy planning, in collaboration with DCMS and VisitEngland.

I devised and implemented the tourism strategy for the Borough of Maidstone, managed the Council’s tourism service, bid for resources and promoted Kent as a visitor destination both through direct expenditure and through partnership with the private sector. I handled all public, government and industry relations, advertising and website development for the tourism service. Promoted local cultural services and local historic properties such as Leeds Castle.

Sample projects included a review of marketing operations for a national chain of estate agents, recommending improvements in branding, pricing, promotion and customer service practices. Also carried out a feasibility study for a proposed four-star hotel in Istanbul. Analysed projected demand against existing hotel room supply, recommended market positioning, pricing and expected occupancy rates, and provided five year revenue forecasts.

Sample projects included a review of marketing strategy for a major UK motor manufacturer with extensive export sales. This involved a review of new product development plans, assessment of consumer research, and a critical review of plans for launch of a new model in the USA. Also assessed prospects for a new European business publication, helped to define its target audience and positioning, and prepared a business plan for the new venture.

Developed advertising campaigns for Avis and DuPont in Europe.