Centre Director
Steve joined the Abbey in 2002 and has spent all of his working life in the Hospitality profession with operations ranging in size from 5,000 beds to the 57 offered at the Abbey. In addition to his day job he has been a Board member of Conference Centres of Excellence for 3 years and is the current Chairman.

“I am extremely proud to be working at Missenden Abbey, while blessed with a wonderful building and grounds it truly is the people that make the difference. As an independent centre we are ideally positioned to respond to and indeed pre-empt our customers’ requirements. Indeed the customer is at the core of all of our thinking".

How long have you worked here?  I Joined Missenden Abbey in September 2002 so almost 9 years.

What you did prior?  Before this I had worked 16 years at University of Warwick and was GM of Arden House for 10 years, spent 6 months at Radcliffe House as GM and the last 6 years I was Deputy Director for Warwick Hospitality. It was here that I was privileged to sit in the audience and listen to President Bill Clinton give his last public speech overseas before he stood down as President. 

What is your role and what is your favourite part of it? Other jobs include 5 years at Portsmouth Polytechnic, 2 and half years at Queens' College Cambridge and my career started with Bindles Hotels Ltd. They had 2 hotels in Barry and Bindles Ballroom which could banquet for up to 800. I worked in all of the venues.  

What is your career goal, what would you like to achieve, life and work etc?  As Centre Director, the role is extremely varied and interesting. On a daily basis I’m involved in Sales / Operations as well as looking at re-furb projects and ensuring all of our great assets bring value to the business. Am particularly proud of the Office Let income. I spend approx 2 days a week on University business looking at the commercial use of the student facilities during the vacation. I have been a Board member of Conference Centres of Excellence for approx 6 / 7 years during which I was Chairman for 2 years. My role currently involves visiting potential members to see if they meet our criteria for membership. CCE gives a good broad view of our industry. 

What you find challenging?  Throughout my career I have always chased the challenge and get a great buzz out of making venues more efficient and profitable. I am passionate about customer service and the people I work with and just love it when we have exceeded a customer’s expectations. I am proud to work in the Hospitality profession. Any challenges I have are just situations that need to be sorted out and it is invariably never as bad as you first thought. 

What is your favourite chocolate bar?  Whatever takes my fancy at that moment in time so pretty much everything. 

Tell me something interesting you have achieved outside of work… ran 5 miles for Breast cancer,  volunteer work – finished a short course, play in a rock band etc –  really tell me anything, it is important, just bought your first house ….  Outside of work I have been a Governor of my son and daughters school, have climbed The Three Peaks in August when it just didn't stop raining!! I am then very happy doing the normal things of spending time with family and friends, travel and "pottering" around the house which is all very relaxing. 

 Steve's favourite film is it’s a Wonderful Life, he’s a Manchester United fan ( and he has been there ! ) and his guiding principal in business is Trust.