Adam Ashford
Leeds
Summary
Results-oriented leader with a strong background in staff training, P&L management, and inventory organization. Proven track record in enhancing operational efficiency and boosting team performance through strategic planning and resource optimization. Dedicated to driving organizational growth while upholding high standards of quality and productivity.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Bar Manager
Arc Inspirations
Leeds
06.2024 - Current
- Drove profitability by managing budgets and forecasting, achieving monthly gross profits exceeding 75%.
- Oversaw inventory across three bars, maintaining precise stock levels and minimising waste.
- Led a team of 45 staff, focusing on recruitment and training to enhance productivity.
- Collaborated with senior management to align operational costs with budget forecasts, ensuring financial targets were met.
- Contributed to strategic discussions on revenue growth, identifying sales opportunities and cost reductions.
- Participated in training sessions to improve team management and operational efficiency.
- Organised events to increase foot traffic and enhance customer experience, resulting in boosted sales.
Head Office Support
Arc Inspirations
Leeds
11.2023 - 06.2024
- Multi-Venue Support: Provided management support across 10 venues for three different Arc Inspirations brands, adapting to the unique requirements of each location.
- Cross-Department Assistance: Work closely with management teams to support various departments, including kitchen, bar, and floor operations, ensuring smooth operations across multiple venues.
- Brand Knowledge: I gained comprehensive knowledge of each brand's specific requirements and effectively adapt management style to suit the venue—whether it's a late-night cocktail bar or a family-oriented food venue.
- Team Support & Development: Provide guidance and support to new teams, helping them understand and implement brand-specific expectations, including assisting in the integration of new management teams from Sheffield to Manchester.
- Leadership & Operational Oversight: Maintain management responsibilities across all venues, including shift leadership, labour control, and end-of-night procedures, ensuring consistent operational standards and team performance.
- Bar/Restaurant
General Manager
Market Town Taverns
Leeds
06.2023 - 11.2023
- Kitchen Development & Menu Innovation: Led the transformation of a non-food venue into a fully operational kitchen, overseeing everything from kitchen layout planning to supplier sourcing. Designed a cost-effective yet high-quality menu tailored to the venue's customer base.
- Cocktail & Beverage: Created and implemented innovative cocktail menus, balancing profitability with creativity. Ensured menu items were operationally efficient while aligning with brand identity and market trends.
- Targeted Promotions & Customer Engagement – Developed strategic promotions, including student discount deals and exclusive industry discount cards, to drive footfall, build brand loyalty, and establish the venue as a key player in the local hospitality scene.
- Full Venue Refurbishment – Overlooked a complete venue refurbishment, identifying key areas for improvement to enhance aesthetics and overall guest experience.
- Operational & Financial Oversight – Responsible for stock ordering, audits, and rota management, ensuring cost-effective operations and maximizing profitability. Maintained strict cost controls, optimized labour efficiency, and streamlined processes to improve overall financial performance
Bar Manager
Arc Inspirations
Leeds
11.2022 - 06.2023
- Operational Management: Managed all aspects of the bar, overseeing both front-outhouse and kitchen teams to ensure smooth daily operations.
- Audits & Standards: Conducted regular audits to ensure hygiene and company standards were consistently met, maintaining a high level of operational quality.
- Staff Training & Development: Delivered comprehensive training to staff, ensuring they provided exceptional customer service and were aligned with company values and expectations.
- Budget & Cost Management: Responsible for controlling stock and labor costs within a set budget, ensuring financial targets were met and the site's profitability remained high.
- Versatile Management: Demonstrated flexibility by assisting across all departments, including supporting the kitchen during peak times and serving tables when needed, to maintain a well-rounded, effective team.
Bar/FOH Manager
Almost Famous
03.2020 - 11.2022
- Bar Management: Managed the full operations of the bar, including stock management, orders, deliveries, rotas, and shift leadership to ensure smooth and efficient service.
- Audit Excellence: Achieved a 100% pass rate on all company bar audits and earned the distinction of achieving the best stock audit in the company.
- Stock Control & Cost Reduction: Successfully reduced bar stock holding by 30%, resulting in a substantial increase in cash flow and improved overall profitability.
- Cleanliness & Standards: Maintained exceptional cleanliness standards, with the Leeds bar being the only location to pass cleanliness audits, while other locations failed.
- Keyholder & Operational Responsibility: Trusted keyholder with overall responsibility for the bar and restaurant, running shifts, and ensuring the smooth operation of both areas when needed.
- Team Training & Development: Trained both bar and floor staff to ensure high-quality service and operational efficiency.
- Supplier Relations & Credit Management: Organized and established business relationships/partnerships with suppliers, including securing lines of credit with select organizations.
- Installation & Setup: Played a key role in installing original beer lines for the bar, contributing to the setup and functionality of the venue
Head Bartender
Sunprime Suites – Cyprus
02.2019 - 10.2019
- Leadership & Bar Management: Led the bar operations in a hotel, managing the fullservice bar and ensuring a high standard of customer service and product quality.
- Multitasking & Efficiency: Worked as the sole bartender on busy nights, developing strong multitasking skills while maintaining a high level of service.
- Stock Control & Rota Planning: Managed stock levels, controlled inventory, and created staff rotas to ensure efficient operations and adequate coverage.
- Profitability & Loss Management: Collaborated with the hotel owner and general manager to discuss strategies for improving profits and minimizing losses.
- Promotions & Customer Engagement: Worked on special promotions to drive sales and engaged with guests to deliver exceptional customer service and create memorable experiences.
- Cultural & Communication Skills: Enhanced communication skills in a multilingual environment, adapting to a team where only a few staff members spoke fluent English.
- Cocktail Creation: Took pride in crafting exceptional cocktails, delivering top-notch drinks while ensuring customer satisfaction
- Cocktail Bartender- Turtle Bay
Cocktail Bartender
Turtle Bay
- Bar Operations & Management: Managed the bar during shifts when the manager was absent, ensuring service quality met company standards and the team operated efficiently.
- Cocktail Expertise: Continuously expanded cocktail knowledge and skills, pushing myself to learn new techniques and recipes to enhance customer experience.
- Recognition: Awarded "Bartender of the Year" by the company for exceptional performance, dedication, and contribution to the bar's success.
- Team Support: Assisted the team in maintaining high levels of service, ensuring that guests received prompt and friendly service in a fast-paced environment
Education
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Business Management with Marketing
Leeds Beckett University
Leeds 09.2025 -
A-Levels -
Garforth Academy
Skills
- Leadership excellence
- Staff training and certification
- P and L accountability
- Product inventory organisation
Certification
BIIBA - Level 2
Food Safety - Level 2
Health and Safety - Level 2
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Bachelor of Science - Hospitality Business Management with Marketing
Leeds Beckett University
09.2025 -
Bar Manager
Arc Inspirations
06.2024 - Current
Head Office Support
Arc Inspirations
11.2023 - 06.2024
General Manager
Market Town Taverns
06.2023 - 11.2023
Bar Manager
Arc Inspirations
11.2022 - 06.2023
Bar/FOH Manager
Almost Famous
03.2020 - 11.2022
Head Bartender
Sunprime Suites – Cyprus
02.2019 - 10.2019
Cocktail Bartender
Turtle Bay
A-Levels -
Garforth Academy