Ashkan Saman

Global B2B exhibition organiser operating in the UK (London), US (Los Angeles, Las Vegas & Miami), Singapore, and Australia (Sydney) with a portfolio of 17 events.

In 2019, when I joined, we ran only four exhibitions, all of which in the UK. Throughout my time here I have launched international exhibitions, set up international offices in Singapore and Australia where I hired and trained staff.

Currently, I oversee all post-sales activities, including the operations, client care and finances.

Operations/ client care responsibilities:

• Lead a team of 14 operational account managers, based across the globe.
• Design event features and create sponsorship/ media packs for the sales department.
• Negotiate supplier and contractor agreements to deliver cost-effective solutions and seamless event execution.
• Develop staff training, improving all aspects of the operational account management, including admin efficiency, objection handling and updates on used software.
• Run internal audits, ensuring clients receive services as per the contractual agreements.

Financial Oversight:

• Oversee P&L forecasting and budget allocation, driving strategic decision-making and financial efficiency.
• Manage and maintain sales ledgers with a value of £15.4m annual revenue (2024) across the portfolio.
• Provide regular training on credit control activities, ensuring a healthy cashflow.

Key Achievements:

• Redesigned and implemented a new client care management system, consolidating communication through dedicated account managers. This initiative increased client retention from 26% to 48% within the first year in 2021.
  With that, I developed a comprehensive workflow document and training manual, which is being used as a blueprint for our client management. This has made the business operations scalable and allowed us to grow rapidly. This blueprint has now been adopted by our sister company Fortem International.
• 2024 Best Contribution to (SME) Sector award - EN Indy Awards
• 2024 Employer of the Year - EN Indy Awards
• 2024 Asia's Highest Rates Tradeshow - Superbrands Singapore
• 2023 Finalist - The Business Show Miami - Best International Event Launch - AEO Excellence Awards
• 2023 Asia's Highest Rates Tradeshow - Superbrands Singapore

My day-to-day duties included contacting the clients by phone and/or email ensuring timely payments were made, processing incoming funds, reconciling invoices, resolving account queries and managing debt recovery.

I’m very comfortable with negotiation and I’m able to collate and assimilate information quickly and think on my feet. I cope well with direct challenges, which gives me the ability to establish suitable agreements.

• Oversaw the accounts of +150 international businesses worth >2 million GBP. My debt recovery rate was 78% pre-COVID-19.
• Worked cross-functionally with sales, marketing and the management department to maintain effective operations.
• Built and maintained strong relationships with clients to ensure a smooth running of accounts.

Voted #4 Top 20 UK Restaurants that Foodies Love - The Times - 2017

• Developed kitchen staff through training, disciplinary action, and performance reviews.
• Maintained well-organised mise en place to keep work consistent.
• Oversaw scheduling, inventory management, and supply ordering to maintain fully stocked kitchen.
• Developed and implemented seasonal menus

Worked in various restaurants in 3 different countries.

• Worked on different sections of the professional kitchen.
• Set up and broke down kitchen for service.
• Prepped daily menu items to quickly deliver upon request.
• Developed different cooking techniques.
• Worked closely with front-of-house staff to facilitate excellent customer service.