Chris Ward

Spearheaded sales development strategies for Chef&Sommelier brand within food service and consumer goods sectors across Europe.

Oversaw training programmes for distributor and ARC personnel on crystal products linked to Chef&Sommelier and Arcoroc brands.

Managed EMEA hotel business to drive brand growth and engagement.

• Responsible for all hotel business across EMEA.
• Secured contract agreements with Accor, Marriott, Hilton, Radisson, Kempinski, Hyatt, MacDonald, Logis, Relais & Chateaux, Best Western, Louvre, Chateaux & Hotels Collection
• Developed strategic plan for monitoring, developing, and following up hotel business in all regions.
• Coordinated activities across Food Service sales teams,
• Created hotel brochures, presentations and marketing material to promote Arc's expertise in Hotel Business.
• Provided assistance with bespoke / customised product development.
• Completed tenders and business development proposals for International Hotel Groups.
• Cultivated allied supplier partnerships to strengthen Arc's business approach.
• Provided sales training workshops worldwide for Arc and distributor sales forces to show: 'How to sell successfully to hotels''
• Attended hotel networking events and hotel conferences to develop relationships, foster lead generation, and secure orders.
• Developed €500K business from first 3 networking events.

• Responsible for Food Service Division in UK & Ireland, and part of senior management team of Arc subsidiary AITUK.
• Reported to CEO Food Service Division and latterly SVP Food Service & Consumer Goods EMEA.
• Managed sales and marketing team of 20.
• Monitored and analysed market trends and competitive offerings to identify opportunities for segment expansion.
• Developed UK sales and marketing plan and set budgets for respective sales and marketing teams.
• Developed channel approach to maximise sales opportunities with pub, club, hotel & restaurant contracts, contract caterers, professional cash & carries and institutional sector.
• Generated end-user lead opportunity program to grow and increase distributor loyalty.
• Planned select professional show attendance to stimulate end-user interest, support distributor sales teams and launch new collections.
• Involved in negotiation and support of national accounts.

• Responsible for Food Service Sales Team and acquisition of Alcester Glassware.
• Reported to Director of Northern Europe for FS CG & B2B
• Developed pricing policy and customer segmentation plan to promote growth of target distributors.
• Reviewed marketplace for new routes to market and rectify regional weaknesses.
• Developed UK specific product development plan to strengthen range and enable access to competitor contracts.
• Professionalised sales team to move away from brand ambassadors to targeted account development managers.
• Worked with 3 importers and took over running sales team of largest importer, coordinating their activities alongside Arc's.

• Responsible for all activity relating to contract market including setting objectives and business plan formulation.
• Reported to Head of Sales Food Service - UK.
• Developed 'company approach' including content of presentations and provision of support material.
• Co-ordinated sales initiatives of Arc UK sales force, relating to targeting of contracts.
• Fostered relationships with key decision-makers and influencers in potential and existing end-user contracts.
• Gained end-user agreement on specification of Arc product by concept and outlet chain.
• Developed pricing models and contract support packages required to secure different types of contract.
• Took all main contracts: M&B, Whitbread, S&N Retail, Wetherspoons, Greene King, Greenalls, Queens Moat House, and First Leisure off Demaglass Tableware and Durabor.

• Service and development of all key accounts including Bass, W&DB, Whitbread, Greenalls. Wetherspoons etc.
• Negotiation of all end-user contracts for sole supply or preferred use of Dema product, and where possible through nominated distributors.
• Account responsibility for two national distributors: Autobar and Lockharts to assist in effective management of contracts, introduction of new products and joint targeting of new business with distributor BDM, KAM and NAMs.
• Development of marketing material, brochures, presentations, sales guides, and tailored product manuals for managed pub, restaurant and hotel groups.
• Reduction of turnover leakage to competitors through matching up product, sourcing alternatives and highlighting lost rebate / cost variances to contracts.

• Development of A&P plan for LV / Catering Division.
• Development of annual brochures and prices lists.
• Formulation of NPD plan and management of existing product portfolio including upgrades and discontinuations.
• Organisation and attendance of leading catering shows: Hotelympia, Restaurant Show.
• Presentations to leading distributor and end-user accounts to explain company, product, expertise and customisation potential.
• Organisation of LV events and meetings to build distributor network and attract end-user specification.

• Responsible for all marketing relating to Export.
• Reporting to Export Sales Director
• Development of Export brochures and price lists.
• Development of A&P plan for export.
• Organisation of exhibitions and shows including Ambiente and Tendence in Frankfurt.
• Responsible for pricing of all export non standard product.
• Sales responsibility for North Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.

• Reported to Marketing Director
• Responsible for trade shows and exhibitions: Frankfurt Ambiente and Tendance.
• Developed Food Service and Export brochures, catalogues and price lists
• Responsible for all standard and bespoke product costing, and setting pricing for sales.
• Responsible for New Product Development Plan and innovation management for Export.

• Reported to Marketing Director and Head of Consultancy.
• Dual role as Business Development Manager and Corporate Identity Consultant.
• Researched market sectors to generate leads to bring in new client revenue and improve profitability.
• Maintained client records in bespoke CRM systems, ensuring streamlined data processes for maximum efficiency.
• Conducted research for consultancy team ahead of design implementation.

• Completed research project into 'The Branding of Financial Services' culminating in 100,000 word dissertation, which formed their manual for financial services branding.
• Offered full time role.