Brett Smith
Colchester
Summary
Results-driven commercial professional with over 10 years’ experience managing strategic corporate accounts and fostering valuable partnerships. Expertise in stakeholder engagement, account management, business development, and contract negotiation. Committed to building trusted relationships that drive sustainable business growth.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Corporate and Diplomatic Sales Manager
Great Scotland Yard Hotel Hyatt
London
02.2026 - Current
- Manage a portfolio of multinational corporate, public sector and diplomatic accounts, acting as the primary relationship lead for procurement teams, travel managers and key stakeholders.
- Drive new business acquisition, account retention and annual rebid activity across strategic corporate, government and diplomatic sectors.
- Develop account growth strategies and identify opportunities to increase client engagement, revenue and long-term partnership value.
- Lead onboarding and implementation programmes for newly secured accounts, ensuring successful integration and stakeholder alignment.
- Prepare and deliver business reviews, commercial proposals, presentations and contract negotiations to support client retention and growth.
- Manage sales pipelines and opportunity tracking through CRM systems, ensuring accurate forecasting, reporting and account development planning.
- Conduct market, competitor and account analysis to identify trends, support commercial decision-making and uncover new business opportunities.
- Collaborate with operational, commercial and leadership teams to ensure contractual commitments, service standards and client objectives are achieved.
- Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior decision-makers across multinational corporations, public sector organisations and diplomatic missions.
- On call 24/7 for urgent assistance / resolution for VIP high profile clients.
Sales Manager
Hotel Saint
Aldgate, London
09.2024 - 06.2026
- Senior proactive sales manager responsible for the development, retention and growth of a portfolio of more than 120 SME, corporate and multinational accounts.
- Managed strategic relationships across the legal, insurance, financial and professional services sectors, including Clyde & Co, Freshfields, Aon, Lockton, Howden, Marsh McLennan and Chubb.
- Managed the full client lifecycle from prospecting and lead generation through to RFP submissions, contract negotiations, implementation, account reviews and long-term retention planning.
- Conducted regular business reviews and stakeholder meetings with procurement teams, travel management companies and senior corporate decision-makers to strengthen relationships and identify growth opportunities.
- Delivered 25% year-on-year growth in group revenue through strategic account development, targeted client acquisition and proactive relationship management.
- Increased corporate transient revenue by 4% and secured a 15% uplift in negotiated corporate rates through commercial analysis, account optimisation and contract renegotiation.
- Successfully reactivated a dormant £120,000 corporate account through relationship rebuilding, stakeholder engagement and a tailored commercial growth strategy.
- Utilised Salesforce CRM, Agency360, Lighthouse and Lanyon to manage sales pipelines, monitor account performance, identify market opportunities and support data-driven decision making.
- Developed strategic partnerships with leading travel management companies and industry partners to expand market presence and generate new business opportunities.
- line managed sales executives.
Business Development Manager
University of Essex - UECS
Colchester, Essex
10.2021 - 09.2024
- Led business development across the University of Essex commercial portfolio, identifying and developing new revenue streams through the effective utilisation of university venues, accommodation, conference facilities and commercial assets.
- Secured and developed strategic partnerships with corporate organisations, public sector bodies, associations and key stakeholders, supporting long-term commercial growth and market expansion.
- Managed the full business development lifecycle from opportunity identification and proposal development through to contract negotiation, implementation and ongoing account management.
- Worked closely with legal, procurement and compliance teams to negotiate commercial agreements and ensure contractual, governance and risk requirements were met.
- Led cross-functional projects involving commercial, operational and marketing teams, coordinating stakeholders to deliver strategic objectives and revenue growth initiatives.
- Organised and hosted client engagement events, networking forums and stakeholder showcases to strengthen relationships, increase brand visibility and generate new business opportunities.
- Developed collaborative partnerships with local authorities, public sector organisations and private sector partners to expand market reach and enhance commercial performance.
- Contributed to the growth of annual commercial events revenue to approximately £3.1 million through strategic business development, partnership expansion and account acquisition.
Head of Property Management
Jackson & Co Property Services
01.2015 - 06.2020
- Head of department for the repairs, maintenance, and all compliance processes of over 600 properties.
- Tripled the department's revenue through repairs and maintenance within 2 years.
- Recruited and managed contractors, optimising partnerships to drive revenue growth.
- Strengthened connections with landlords to enhance property management.
- Designed and executed customer service plans, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Front Office/ Guest Services Manager
Best Western Marks Tey hotel
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Resolved customer complaints while maintaining exceptional service levels, enhancing guest satisfaction.
- Developed and implemented customer service SOPs to standardise operations and improve service delivery.
- Oversaw hotel member reward scheme, fostering guest loyalty and enhancing customer engagement.
- Head of department of a team of eight receptionists and night porters.
- Achieved employee of the year award twice for outstanding performance.
Education
Diploma -
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Westwood International School BotswanaSkills
- Sales strategy
- Client management
- Global RFPs
- Bid management
- Contract negotiation
- Client management
- Market analysis
- Salesforce CRM
- Corporate event planning
- Team collaboration
- Relationship building
- Networking skills
- Lanyon
- Networking skills
Timeline
Senior Corporate and Diplomatic Sales Manager
Great Scotland Yard Hotel Hyatt
02.2026 - Current
Sales Manager
Hotel Saint
09.2024 - 06.2026
Business Development Manager
University of Essex - UECS
10.2021 - 09.2024
Head of Property Management
Jackson & Co Property Services
01.2015 - 06.2020
Front Office/ Guest Services Manager
Best Western Marks Tey hotel
01.2009 - 01.2015
Diploma -
International Baccalaureate Diploma