Chris Bird
Hyde,Cheshire
Summary
Driven Entrepreneur successful at developing operational areas, outlining business plans and creative effective company cultures. Innovative and strategic leader with a successful history of operating in complex, chaotic environments and achieving dramatic results.
Having held board positions at JD Sports PLC , Manchester City FC, Sports Tours International, Quest Media Network and the Raheem Sterling Foundation i am able to bring my varied experience and achievements to a non executive role such as this.
My passion for developing active lifestyles, compelling PR and marketing initiatives, collaborations, new ventures and innovation are well suited to the world of tourism, media and sport.
Overview
41
41
years of professional experience
Work history
Founder and Chairman
The Bird Consultancy Limited
Manchester , Cheshire
09.1990 - Current
- Attended and contributed to meetings to devise programme activities and projects.
- Designed and distributed promotional marketing materials to advertise upcoming public relations events.
- Collaborated with marketing team to create innovative strategies for optimised campaign results.
- Managed PR aspects of potential crisis situations.
- Monitored social media and press coverage for quality and messaging.
- Developed holistic strategies across earned and owned channels.
- Established strong social media presence to increase brand exposure.
- Crafted press releases for distribution to targeted media.
- Coached client representatives on how to handle media enquiries and press interviews.
- Secured major PR contracts with JD sports, Disney, Madison Square Garden, Betfred, Matchroom Boxing, Talk Radio, Talksport, The Guardian Media Group and the Daily Telegraph.
- Drafted communications for routine releases and emergency response.
- Conferred with managers to identify trends and adapt PR strategies to stay relevant.
- Partnered with community groups to plan, execute and manage service projects, enhancing public profile.
- Undertook research for and presented new business proposals to potential customers.
- Wrote and edited in-house articles, case studies and annual reports.
- Organised and served as spokesperson at PR activations to promote company image.
- Supervised marketing content production and consistently met campaign targets.
- Networked continuously to grow contacts and increase brand awareness and reputation.
- Devised and implemented long-term strategy to drive progress in key areas.
- Managed team performance, celebrating successes and identifying areas to improve.
- Championed organisational values and operational standards to inspire staff belief in long-term vision.
- Cultivated strong work culture and high standards to drive employee retention and performance.
Chief Executive Officer
Sports Tours International
Manchester , Lancashire
02.2007 - 05.2023
- Developed and implemented [Number]-year strategic [Type] plan informing future business expectations and direction.
- Spearheaded expansion strategies to increase business market share, drive growth and increase customer base.
- Oversaw budgetary and financial activities and implemented strategies to grow business and profits.
- Devised key initiatives that drove substantial business growth.
- Built positive, productive relationships with suppliers to negotiate budget-friendly prices.
- Actioned customer feedback to improve tour and holiday offerings.
- Assessed prospective resort suitability and quality through in-person visits.
- Calculated competitive tour quotes to increase bookings and grow revenue.
- Used destination knowledge to enhance customer trips with local recommendations.
- Designed bespoke tour packages to exact customer budget and resort requirements.
- Created contracts and Service Level Agreements with hotels and transportation providers.
- Set targets for seasonal tour sales to achieve revenue goals.
- Verified customer insurance and documentation ahead of travel for reduced risk.
- Monitored market trends to develop tours suited to customer demand.
- Promoted offers, promotions and deals on social media channels to increase customer engagement.
- Increased revenues from £4M in 2007 to £20M in 2023 delivering record turnover and profit in the company’s 50 year history.
- Opened offices in Ireland and France.
- Successfully managed numerous financial and operational emergencies including Boston Marathon Bomb, New York Marathon Hurricane, collapse of XL airways, Icelandic ash cloud, 2008 financial crash and the COVID impact.
- Secured lucrative exclusive contracts with London, New York, Boston, Chicago, Berlin and Tokyo Marathons, the Tour De France and the World’s leading sports resort Club La Santa.
Chief Operating Officer
Manchester City Football Club
Manchester , Lancashire
04.1998 - 05.2003
- Administered management tracking systems to effectively monitor, evaluate and report operational progress against strategic objectives.
- Led operational oversight and budgetary supervision for multiple locations.
- Improved operational performance in line with strategic objectives.
- Delivered effective operating and quality standards, generating an increase in revenue and profits for the first time in 3 decades during my employment.
- Guided company progress by defining, establishing and implementing organisational goals, policies and procedures.
- Upskilled and re-skilled dynamic teams through strategic training, individual performance reviews and annual appraisals.
- Directed accomplished teams, demonstrating expertise within staff development, strategic talent acquisition and transformational leadership.
- Spearheaded development and delivery of future off field commercial offerings based on in-depth market research.
- Kept accurate company records, upholding compliance with regulations and company policies.
- Cultivated strong work culture and high standards to drive employee retention and performance.
- Devised and implemented long-term strategy to drive progress in key areas.
- Championed organisational values and operational standards to inspire staff belief in long-term vision.
- Secured key commercial contracts in China.
- A key executive in the delivery of a multi million pound training, academy and medical campus.
- A key executive in the delivery of the City Of Manchester Stadium.
- A lead executive in secured major investment from News International ( Sky ).
- Overall responsibility for media, communications, player liaison, stadium operations, commercial, international development, and customer/fan relations.
National Sales and Promotions Controller
Piccadilly Radio
Manchester , Lancashire
05.1986 - 06.1990
- Analysed budgets and financial projections for accurate reporting of company performance.
- Compiled financial data for business forecasting and budgeting.
- Adapted sales pitches and presentations to meet bespoke customer requirements.
- Proactively contacted prospective customers to increase sales.
- Detailed and demonstrated products' characteristics and functions.
- Kept clear, detailed customer records to maximise future sales opportunities.
- Grew repeat customer spending through regular updates on new products and services.
- Built rapport with new and existing customers to boost client retention.
- Understood market conditions, responding to fluctuations impacting sales.
- Upheld brand values throughout sales process to differentiate company from competitors.
- Achieved monthly sales and performance KPIs for improved team success.
- Delivered outstanding after-sales care through regular communication with customers.
- Secured exclusive commentary rights for World Title fight ahead of the BBC.
- Became a senior member of the creative and production team.
- Managed high profile entertainment events alongside Jane Fonda, Kylie Minogue and Barry Hearn.
Field Sales Executive
United Newspapers
Manchester , Lancashire
11.1982 - 05.1986
- Employed expert negotiating skills to drive hard bargains and achieve successful results.
- Consistently delivered sales and revenue targets, regularly surpassing departmental sales forecasts.
- Researched accounts to generate or follow through sales leads.
- Devised long-term plans and thoughtfully prioritised workload to achieve sales success.
- Strengthened existing customer relationships to generate new business opportunities with various industries.
- Utilised financial statistical data to analyse sales information.
- Navigated assigned territory to expand client network.
- Strategically implemented winning sales strategies to achieve and exceed personal and team targets.
- Established short-term and long-term goals with team to meet sales targets.
- Studied competitors to devise innovative selling tactics.
Education
A-Levels - NA
Hattersley County Comprehensive School
Hyde, Tameside 09/1973 - 05/1979
Skills
- Process improvements
- Shareholder relations
- Background in Sport, Media, Tourism, Communications, Retail and Youth Engagement
- Meeting leadership
- Operational management
- KPI management
- Entrepreneurial mindset
- P&L management
- Strategic networking
- Problem solving skills
- Employment law
- Integrative negotiation
- Strategic thinking
- Complex negotiation
- Business scaling
- Strategic consultancy
- Customer service
- Change management
- Business development
- Mentoring and training
- Financial management
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Sports Tours International
02.2007 - 05.2023
Chief Operating Officer
Manchester City Football Club
04.1998 - 05.2003
Founder and Chairman
The Bird Consultancy Limited
09.1990 - Current
National Sales and Promotions Controller
Piccadilly Radio
05.1986 - 06.1990
Field Sales Executive
United Newspapers
11.1982 - 05.1986
A-Levels - NA
Hattersley County Comprehensive School
09/1973 - 05/1979
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