Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Darrel Watson

London,Greater London

Summary

Accomplished hospitality & service industry professional with expertise in business development, P&L, financial and stock control. Holds a personal licence and excels in promotion and advertising, recruitment and training, as well as customer care. Committed to leveraging skills to drive growth and enhance customer satisfaction within the hospitality industry.

Overview

33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work history

PUBLIC HOUSE OWNER / MANAGER

Self Employed
Lingfield, Surrey
2025.08 - 2026.02
  • Operated The Greyhound Inn Lingfield on a partnership TAW agreement with Punch Taverns until which time a permanent Tenant could be found.
  • Fully responsible for all aspects of business from day to day trading and upkeep to all operational practices, financial, legal adherences etc, on a self employed basis.
  • Locals / village based business.

GENERAL MANAGER

Snugglepuss Inns Ltd.
Carshalton, Surrey
2023.06 - 2025.08
  • Managed and oversaw two Public Houses, The Rose & Crown , Wallington and The Greyhound Inn, Lingfield.
  • Responsible along with the business owner for all aspects of the day to day operations of the two sites.
  • Dual Annual Turnover of £ 900,000 pa.

FREELANCE CONTENT COPYWRITER

Self Employed
London
2021.07 - 2023.06
  • After undertaking courses with the American Writers & Artists Institute and CMP Online, I worked online for various clients through clearing houses to write bespoke copy as required.

PUBLIC HOUSE OWNER/MANAGER & LICENSEE

Self Employed
Hastings
2015.04 - 2021.05
  • Customer focused Public House and Restaurant
  • Annual turnover of £500k
  • Leading a team of twenty employees in all aspects of the operation of a busy Public House & Restaurant
  • Overseeing all operational & strategic aspects of this venue and restaurant's management. Duties included:
  • Business strategy & forecasting.
  • Team management & development.
  • Recruitment & training.
  • P&L oversight.
  • Cash flow / stock control, payroll, financial returns.
  • Business development including event planning & management, promotion & advertising, customer care & engagement, local community outreach and social media presence.
  • Food & beverage management, kitchen and cellar oversight
  • Regulation adherence, including insuring five-star hygiene accreditation.
  • Establishing and ensuring a good working partnership with local authorities, council, police, fire brigade, EHO etc.
  • Working with local & national charities to realise substantial funds for worthy causes.
  • Managing on-site rental accommodation.
  • Business closed due to issues arising from the Covid-19 Pandemic.

DELIVERY/CUSTOMER CARE AGENT

Majestic Wines
London
2013.10 - 2015.04
  • Business and personal account deliveries, customer engagement & sales development
  • Planning 25+ drop routes for optimal efficiency, providing real-time updates to customers and warehouse
  • Flexible engagement enabling a lengthy period of in-home care of a parent.

GENERAL MANAGER/LICENSEE

Brave New World Bar Ltd
Surbiton
2010.02 - 2013.10
  • Managing all aspects of operation of The Brave New World Café Bar, Surbiton.
  • Annual turnover of £475,000
  • A unique local bar including thriving music and comedy club and specialising in bespoke events supported by an in-house catering team and outside providers.
  • Running ten room on site letting business.
  • Responsible for wages & payroll, stock & finance control.

GENERAL MANAGER / LICENSEE

Retail Leisure (South) Limited
Kingston-Upon-Thames
1998.01 - 2010.01
  • Managing all aspects of both Bacchus Late Bar & Venue, Kingston-Upon-Thames and The Magpie Public House in Walton-On-Thames.
  • Annual Turnover of £ 1,500,000
  • Allied to day to day running of venues, duties included identifying and booking Live Music Bands & DJ's and Social Media management.

LICENSEE, PUBLIC HOUSE MANAGER

Corporate Catering Company Ltd
Kingston-Upon-Thames
1993.02 - 1998.01
  • Rising from Barman to the position of Bar Manager of Pubs in London W1 and Kingston-Upon-Thames.
  • Annual turnover of both venues c. £ 550,000.

Education

GCSE Certificates - English Language, Literature, Geography, Government & Politics, History and Mathematics.

Woking College
Woking

Skills

  • HOSPITALITY PROFESSIONAL
  • PERSONAL LICENSE HOLDER
  • BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
  • P&L, FINANCIAL & STOCK CONTROL
  • PROMOTION & ADVERTISING
  • RECRUITMENT & TRAINING
  • CUSTOMER CARE

Certification

  • BII National Licensee Certificate
  • SIA Door Supervisors Qualification (parts 1&2)
  • St. John Ambulance First Aid At Work Certificate
  • Foundation Certificate In Food Hygiene
  • Full Clean Driver's License

Timeline

PUBLIC HOUSE OWNER / MANAGER

Self Employed
2025.08 - 2026.02

GENERAL MANAGER

Snugglepuss Inns Ltd.
2023.06 - 2025.08

FREELANCE CONTENT COPYWRITER

Self Employed
2021.07 - 2023.06

PUBLIC HOUSE OWNER/MANAGER & LICENSEE

Self Employed
2015.04 - 2021.05

DELIVERY/CUSTOMER CARE AGENT

Majestic Wines
2013.10 - 2015.04

GENERAL MANAGER/LICENSEE

Brave New World Bar Ltd
2010.02 - 2013.10

GENERAL MANAGER / LICENSEE

Retail Leisure (South) Limited
1998.01 - 2010.01

LICENSEE, PUBLIC HOUSE MANAGER

Corporate Catering Company Ltd
1993.02 - 1998.01

GCSE Certificates - English Language, Literature, Geography, Government & Politics, History and Mathematics.

Woking College
Darrel Watson