International Professional in Commercial Tourism & Hospitality

• English

2008-09Executive MBA part-time at ESCP Europe (leading French Business school) sponsored by company

2001Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (CIM). Barnfield, Luton

2000 Advanced Certificate in Marketing (CIM). Barnfield, Luton

1998 ACCA Accountancy Foundation Course. Southampton Institute

1996 BSc Environmental Sciences. University of Southampton

Aug 2010- present

Regional Franchise Manager (Asia Pacific) – Europcar International (Bangkok)

Europe’s leading car rental company, operating in 130+ countries with 120+ country level Franchisee operations.

Group turnover of ~2B Euro in 2011, Brand turnover of 3B Euro. Asian region commercial development started in 2001 and comprises ~30 countries with Europcar presence in approximately half. 

Also responsible for International Representative Office (Thailand) and GSA backoffice (worldwide) and development (Asia).

Responsibilities:

•Prospecting through negotiation and opening of 15 Franchise countries (contract lifetime values 200k – 2M Euro).

•Development and integration of Franchisee country commercial and strategic relationships.

•Manage a Europcar region of low value but high strategic (and future-revenue) potential.

•Establishment and management Europcar’s first and only Asia office including 4 staff. 

•Insourcing of backoffice management for General Sales Agents, 3M Euro turnover per year.

•Development of standard General Sales Agent system and process, roll-out in Asia Pacific.

Feb 2005 – July 2010 (5.5 years)

Franchise Communications Manager – Europcar International (Paris)

Responsible for definition and implementation of company-wide (for 120+ Franchise operating countries) communications strategy. Account manager responsibility for specific geographical regions and key projects’ commercial performance.

Achievements:

•Reviewed and revised part of fees model leading to 20% annual increase despite flat-business growth, now 3M Euro/year.

•Co-negotiated Japanese Territory contract worth 10-15M Euro over 5 years.

•Responsible for Asia Pacific Franchisee integration and development from HQ side.

•Responsible for doubling Japanese-related business from 2005 to 2006 (1M Euro).

•Directed 0.5M Euro marketing support fund into key areas and projects.

•Middle East call centre (pilot) – managed market feasibility study, and supplier budget for centralised call centre pilot in the Middle East region (10 countries).

•Developed international internal communications strategy and implemented necessary tools (e-newsletters, database, knowledge share, regional meetings per geographically homogenous area).

•Increased Press Release production and distribution generating 200% increase in exposure within the financial and travel trade sector publications.

•Negotiated outsourced solution for developing franchisees websites at no cost to Europcar – 40 websites – provides greater revenues, distribution channel control, & online brand adherence.

•Marketing representative for the creation of international online low-cost car rental brand – interRent.

Oct. 2001 – Jan 2005 (3.5 years)

Senior Product Manager – B2B Internet Marketing – Europcar International (Paris)

Manage Europcar’s online B2B strategy (extranets, white-label sites, client database building and mailings) and certain and solutions; manage migration to new branding and online booking tools. 

Achievements:

•E-commerce marketing specialist for easyJet tender; an account now worth 40M Euro annually.

•Managed development of white-label and co-branded solutions partnerships – implemented with Accor Hotels, ThomsonFly, HLX, and more. Obtained 20-50% average incremental increase with partners.

•Liaison with IT development team (8 people) for booking tool requirements & evolutions (B2C & B2B).

•Ensured adoption of B2C and B2B tools. Grew online from 2% to 14% of group revenue (2002-2005).

•Launched dedicated Travel Agent reservations system and communicated to 30,000 external travel agencies by Direct Mail to incentives car rental via the internet as a distribution channel.

•Delivered extranet solution for blue-chip clients (170+ clients including ABB, TUI UK, Worldchoice, etc).

•Managed migration of Europcar websites to new branding and booking tools (30+ sites).

April 2000 – Sept 2001

Internet Manager – Europcar UK

Europcar UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of Europcar, and has a turnover of approximately 100M GBP.

Introduced and integrated the internet as a “new” reservations and communications channel for business efficiency and competitive advantage. Provided e-evangelist role – promoting and training internally whilst maintaining a focus on partnership and B2B leverage, integrated marketing campaigns.

Achievements:

•Increased UK public reservations (B2C) via internet from 1% to 9% (2000-2001).

•Designed scaleable information-only extranet for corporate client roll-outs.

•Created team of internet/online experts – to assess and generate business opportunities. 

•Formulated and conducted bespoke training for 50 people in customer services, reservations, sales, and senior management team.

•Responsible for the planning, monitoring and control of 3M Euro marketing spend of the department.

January 1999 –March 2000

Marketing Assistant – Europcar UK Ltd

Exposure to full marketing-mix and partnership development & management. Implemented internet into marketing-mix. Supported travel trade accounts. Gained travel trade distribution chain & tech knowledge.

Achievements:

•Delivered first ever Europcar website, gained 1% of public reservations within 4 months

•Controlled spend to within 7% of budgeted for 1999

•Managed Europcar’s stand presence at World Travel Market in 1999 & 2000 (100,000 Euro)

September 1998 – November 1998

Marketing Executive –  CJ Inns, Southampton

Developed repeat business to CJ Inns properties (5 outlets – 2 catering, 2 bar, 1 nightclub). Organised incentives and customer events to encourage repeat and incremental business to increase share of market.

Achievements:

•Customer membership increase by 25%, attendance 25% above targets

•Managed a seasonal team of 16 part-time sales people

August 1997 – August 1998

Halls Bars and Shops Manager – University of Southampton

Develop potential of on-site student services (4 sites: 4 bars, 2 shops, radio station, 2 events groups). Managed 50 part-time staff, installing responsible team-spirit into student-managers. Responsible all aspects of four small businesses (legal, finance, suppliers, promotions, staffing, etc) with turnover of 4M Euros.

Achievements:

•Turnover increased 25%; gross profit increased 35%, net profit increased 100%.

•25% quantifiable increase in service standards achieved through regular training of staff

June 1996 – June 1997

Treasurer – University of Southampton Students’ Union (SUSU)

Elected position responsible for managing and strategy of student services and operations with a 6M Euro turnover, including 2 bars, 2 catering outlets, shop, travel agency, 100 student societies, and student paper.