Mark Fryer Email & Phone Number

Sandgate, Kent

I am proud to be the owner of Kent's largest provider of personal and business training courses. We offer over 70 course titles delivered on dates throughout the year at our Country House hotels across the South East. In addition, we provide customers with bespoke in-house training solutions. With over 20 Associate Trainers, all offer a great depth of real-world business experience, detailed knowledge and passion in their respective areas of expertise.To find out more please visit our website at www.kenttrainers.co.uk or send me a message to find out more.

South East England

Working with travel & tourism organisations, helping them to build successful product development strategies, identify sales and distribution channels and develop strategic relationships. I have worked with several Discover England Fund (DEF) projects, providing market insight, facilitating the product innovation process, new partnership development and delivering a long-term sales & marketing strategy for driving inbound visitor growth.A versatile and results orientated leader, I am passionate about product development and the delivery of exceptional customer experiences. Working across a range of international markets, I bring extensive experience in product development, building portfolios with a consistent track record of commercial success.With broad-ranging experience and knowledge of the travel industry, I have developed product strategies to support the growth of both established brands as well as start-up’s, in both niche and popular market segments. Adept at identifying opportunities for innovation and growth, I champion the opportunity to develop strategic partnerships that deliver commercial success as well as building brand awareness and integrity.From concept through to delivery, I like to build products as part of a customer centric strategy, ensuring there is a clear value proposition for the customer as well as maximising the commercial opportunities.I promote an innovative, insight-based approach to problem solving, encouraging creativity and collaboration whilst maintaining strategic focus to deliver commercial success.Key Areas of Expertise• Multi-functional leadership experience• Commercial strategy• Product strategy & innovation• Managing strategic partnerships• Sales & distribution strategy• Customer insight & experience• Negotiation & purchasing strategy• Business process improvement• Operational excellence

Kent

An award-winning collection of group tourism businesses with brands in both b2b and b2c. Employing more than 120 people and operating more than 6,000 groups every year from the UK, Europe, Australia and North America.Responsible for leading three of the b2c brand names under the Albatross Group Umbrella Success Tours - Award winning group tour operator for sports & social clubs and private clubs & associations in the UK.Scenic & Continental Car Tours - Specialist tour operator offering short breaks and touring holidays from the UK, designed and tailor-made for car clubs and self-drive enthusiasts.Albatross Tours – Leading tour operator in Australasia (Based in Brisbane), specialising in Escorted Tours of Europe (Responsible for UK based product management, operations and quality management)Key skills and responsibilities included:• Engaged with and inspired our staff and customers, consistently communicating the value proposition for each brand.• Built trust in the brand through the nurturing of key relationships with suppliers, distribution partners and clients.• Created a clear route to commercial success through the creation, communication and implementation of business plans and KPI’s.• Sought out, built and developed a team that epitomised the customer-centric culture and values of the business, placing emphasis on operational excellence and an effortless customer experience.• Collaborated with stakeholders at all levels, promoting the vision, strategy, values and sharing best practice.• Continuously developed in-house technology, making system enhancements, process improvements and integrations to improve how all users interacted with the back office, supplier and customer platforms.Member of the Albatross Group Board since 2010. In this role, I represent and promote the wider interests of the Group whilst providing individual expertise and guidance on purchasing policy and customer insight.

Kent

Key skills and responsibilities included:• Created and fulfilled the group-wide product development and purchasing strategy for all Group brands, allocating resource accordingly to those areas with the greatest commercial potential.• Steering and developing the Product and Procurement teams, building key supplier relationships, implementing consistent contracting standards and leading in the negotiation of key commercial agreements.• Responsible for establishing, assessing and communicating the supplier and programme risk registers.• Facilitated and promoted continuous product innovation and prioritisation for all Group brands, leading team engagement with other senior management and commercial teams.• Instigated Group-wide training for supplier management, complaint resolution and ad-hoc purchasing.• Designed and implemented a 360-degree feedback process for customers and suppliers, providing analysis and alignment with product requirement specifications.• Developed and implemented consistent procedures for pricing and delivering long-term margin growth• Streamlined the supply chain and distribution functionality through system enhancements and integrations across platforms, improving the customer booking journey without compromising operational integrity or customer experience.In addition, this role also included P&L responsibility for three commercial business units within the Group.

Kent

Managed a cross-functional team within Albatross Travel, the main B2B business within the Group. The brand continues to be one of the UK’s leading wholesalers to the Group travel market with a worldwide product portfolio and international client base.

Kent

Kent

Working as part of the Group Product Team, I was responsible for the product planning, contracting and marketing for all Mediterranean countries within the Group’s product range. Leading a small team, often remotely, and working to tight deadlines, the role focused on developing new products, building strong supplier relationships and negotiating key contracts that would deliver competitive advantage to all product ranges.

Italy

Managed a customer-focused team across the central regions of Italy, with responsibility for the operational and commercial success of in-destination activities. Key to the role was maximising revenue for the niche and luxury brands (owned and managed properties) as well as maintaining key strategic relationships with in-country partners. Facilitated the ongoing training for all staff to ensure best practice, quality control, contract fulfilment and health & safety compliance.

Italy

Working throughout Italy and Austria. Responsible for communicating and co-coordinating all supplier activities in line with contracted seasonal agreements. Maintaining relations and building brand image in-resort/destination amongst new and existing suppliers. Problem solving and completing ad-hoc negotiations as and when necessary. Responsible for quality control adherence and all aspects of health & safety compliance reporting.