With the addition of the Royal Over-Seas League to their portfolio of venues, Convex Leisure
(www.convexleisure.co.uk) continued their successful development programme. Much of the necessary enthusiasm comes from the Business Development Manager, Jacqui Waby.
Jacqui has a solid background in the world of catering and events, having previously worked at Liverpool John Moores University, the King’s Fund and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, before coming on board with Convex Leisure and moving to a new role at Head Office.
“It was a big change from the front line of a venue to head office. You really get to see the big picture,” she says.
Convex Leisure is growing steadily, Jacqui says. “We are continuing to win new catering and venue management contracts. I believe that our attention to detail and our excellent systems contribute to our success.” To manage client venue diaries, Jacqui and the team use Rendezvous, the next generation browser-based catering, meeting room and conference management solution from NFS Hospitality.
Considering that Convex Leisure is a relatively new company, established in March 2003, the client list is impressive. In addition to handling full catering and venue management for the Royal Over-Seas League, the company is the official caterer for the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) and Pavilion Theatre, Eastbourne Borough Council, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The Magic Circle and the Royal College of Pathologists. Sporting events include the Hastings Direct Ladies’ International Tennis Championships where Convex Leisure handles retail catering and corporate hospitality, as well as retail catering at Henley Royal Regatta and the International Horse Trials held at historic Blenheim Palace.
Convex Leisure’s professionalism and experience mean that clients benefit from a total catering resource which brings quality, choice and innovation to all catering operations and events. In addition to the fixed-site contracts, the Special Events division of the business also provides catering and event management services at a range of prestigious venues and events, including Glaziers’ Hall, Pewterers’ Hall and the London Transport Museum.
New technology
Initially, there was no requirement for any specialist software packages. However, as the Company began to win full catering and venue management contracts, such as that for the Royal Over-Seas League, the scope of these contracts made Jacqui and her colleagues realise that only an automated booking system could handle the workflow and diary management. “We manage all operational and sales and marketing activities at this venue,” she says. “This is an enormous responsibility.” The Royal Over-Seas League, located in the heart of London’s West End, operates as a private members’ club with two restaurants (a fine dining restaurant and a casual dining brasserie) and nine elegant function rooms including the St Andrew’s Hall and the Hall of India and Pakistan.
Jacqui knew of NFS Hospitality’s excellent reputation from her work at the King’s Fund and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, both longtime NFS clients. Now, however, having decided to buy a system, she was determined to be objective and compare all available software. “I knew I wanted all the functionality without the headaches and heavy investment. I particularly liked NFS’ hosted option as it meant no investment in hardware or IT infrastructure,” she says. “It’s very economical.”
Rendezvous was installed on a hosted basis (ASP) in May 2005 and Jacqui is delighted. “It is a superb solution for our needs at the Royal Over-Seas League, and in the future we will be able to use it in all venues where we have diary responsibility,” she explains. “I know that the system is secure and up to date. Best of all, if there is a glitch, I know that NFS’ support team can view the system remotely. This saves an enormous amount of time.”
Going forward, Jacqui is confident that Convex Leisure will continue to build its client portfolio on the basis of its prestige clients – and its reputation for efficient management. “We already have a solid portfolio of prestigious and unique venues, and have established excellent relationships with our clients. We want to continue to build on these and further develop the business as we move forward.”
|
