Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Ella Rickson

Woburn Sands,Bedfordshire

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven professional with a strong foundation in business administration and operations management. Demonstrates exceptional negotiation, problem-solving, and project management skills, complemented by an entrepreneurial mindset. Proven track record in business development, contract management, and budgeting, with a focus on enhancing customer service and staff management. Committed to mentoring and training teams to achieve organisational goals while continuously seeking opportunities for professional growth.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work history

Training Manager

W.H.Brakspear & Sons Ltd
Henley on Thames, Oxon
06.2024 - Current
  • Fostered an environment conducive to continuous professional development with regular feedback sessions.
  • Identified skill gaps among workforce, enabling targeted training interventions.
  • Increased staff retention rates through career development planning and execution.
  • Facilitated leadership development programmes for managerial success. Inclusive of financial modules.
  • Oversaw account budgets, internal billings and monthly P&L to achieve financial goals.
  • Bolstered efficiency through effective rota management.
  • Management of risk assessments via Riskproof.
  • Implemented and managed innovative e-learning solutions, enhancing accessibility for all staff.
  • Mentored events and sales management teams through their PDPs.
  • Sole responsibility for the training of management and front of house teams at new acquisitions.

Sales and Events Manager

Red Kite Love at Foxcombe Hall
Oxford , Oxon
04.2024 - Current
  • Launched a new wedding and events venue
  • Handled event logistics to ensure timely delivery of services.
  • Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends for competitive advantage.
  • Negotiated contracts with suppliers to reduce overhead costs.
  • Analysed sales reports to identify trends and update strategies.
  • Conducted regular training sessions to improve team productivity.
  • Streamlined booking process, enhancing user experience.
  • Coordinated with team members for improved performance in sales targets.

Learning and Development Manager

The Shuttleworth Trust
Old Warden, Bedfordshire
04.2022 - 05.2024
  • Worked with a team to create a successful education programme.
  • Participated in facilitating the education of over eleven thousand children in the last year.
  • Maintained pupil safety in collection and outside environments .
  • Created and implemented new safeguarding procedures and policies.
  • Worked with student groups, providing personalised educational, behavioural and emotional support.
  • Guaranteed learning environments remained focused, inclusive and supportive at all times.
  • Trained guides through a comprehensive training programme.
  • Planned schedules, prepared materials and booked necessary rooms and facilities.
  • Facilitated high-quality workshops, meetings and demonstrations online and offline.
  • Monitored outstanding invoices and performed collections duties.
  • Performed additional day-to-day administrative duties.
  • Identified and engaged prospective groups and schools to increase bookings.

General Manager

North Mymms Park
North Mymms, Hertfordshire
06.2018 - 01.2019
  • Worked directly with owners and stakeholders to brainstorm, discuss strategy and plan for a new venue launch.
  • Collaborated with suppliers to determine strategies for improving sales and profit.
  • Drove sales and maintained cost controls.
  • Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts and HR.
  • Created financial plan covering three year timeframe and projecting 450 % growth.
  • Delivered customised and effective solutions to clients that met unique demands.
  • Implemented effective customer service procedures to encourage positive feedback.
  • Empowered staff members to contribute to continuous improvement, quality and growth of company.
  • Assisted with marketing strategy creation and advertising initiatives to better promote venue to public.
  • Trained and supported cross-functional teams comprised of customer service, marketing, and sales teams.
  • Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.

Wedding and Events Manager

Milling Barn
Buntingford, Hertfordshire
02.2017 - 06.2018
  • Considered business demands and customer preferences when developing pricing structures and marketing plans.
  • Administered contracts to deliver outstanding vendor coordination, timeline development, budgeting and day-of coordination services.
  • Maintained close communication with couples to achieve wedding goals and mitigate service issues.
  • Trained and supported cross-functional teams comprised of customer service, marketing, and sales teams.
  • Designed and maintained spreadsheets documenting vendor, facility and guest information.
  • Met with potentials clients and gave quotes on services and general wedding costs.
  • Directed wedding-day events, ceremony timing, and speeches.
  • Assisted with wedding set up and decoration.
  • Assisted in scheduling bands, caterers and photographers.
  • Evaluated existing plans, processes and events planning services to identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Fostered relationships with local and national wedding suppliers to obtain best price, quality, and delivery of products.
  • Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking and event promotions.
  • Coordinated florists, photographers, videographers, musicians, officiants and ceremony participants during rehearsals and pre-ceremony, ceremony and reception events.

Wedding and Events Manager

Rosewood Stud
Newmarket, Suffolk
04.2016 - 02.2017
  • Oversaw preparation and management of event budgets, delivering at or below projected costs.
  • Directed florists, photographers, musicians, officiants and ceremony participants during pre-ceremony, ceremony and post-ceremony events.
  • Sourced, secured and coordinated activities of service providers including catering, signage, audiovisual equipment and floristry to facilitate seamless event proceedings.
  • Designed event floor plans according to budget and venue constraints in line with client requirements.
  • Liaised with clients to determine event requirements and constraints, outlining package options to meet needs and exceed expectations.
  • Attended bridal industry events to promote services and build relationships with prospective vendors.
  • Maintained close communication with couples to achieve wedding goals and mitigate service issues.
  • Managed administrative logistics of events planning, including contract signing, fee collection, event booking and event promotions.
  • Assessed event success and uncovered room for improvement through client feedback.

Hospitality and Events Manager

English Heritage
Silsoe, Central Bedfordshire
07.2015 - 04.2016
  • Maintained close communication with couples to achieve wedding goals and mitigate service issues.
  • Designed and maintained spreadsheets documenting vendor, facility and guest information.
  • Trained and supported cross-functional teams comprised of customer service, marketing, and sales teams.
  • Organised corporate events, including luncheons and dinners, conferences and special events.
  • Administered contracts to deliver outstanding vendor coordination, timeline development, budgeting and day-of coordination services.
  • Directed wedding-day events, ceremony timing, and speeches.
  • Met with potentials clients and gave quotes on services and general wedding costs.
  • Assisted with wedding set up and decoration.
  • Fostered relationships with local and national wedding suppliers to obtain best price, quality, and delivery of products.
  • Attended bridal industry events to promote services and build relationships with prospective vendors.
  • Supported senior leadership by developing status reports on activities related to planning, scheduling, cancellation, inquiries, resourcing, risk mitigation and proposal development for various events.
  • Managed administrative logistics of events planning, event booking and event promotions.

Education

Master of Arts - Social Work

University of Northampton
Northampton
06.2014

Bachelor of Arts - Education

University of Winchester
Winchester
06.2007

Skills

  • Negotiation
  • Operations management
  • Problem solving skills
  • Business administration
  • Entrepreneurial mindset
  • Mentoring and training
  • Budgeting
  • Contract Management
  • Customer service
  • Business development
  • Project management
  • Staff management

Timeline

Training Manager

W.H.Brakspear & Sons Ltd
06.2024 - Current

Sales and Events Manager

Red Kite Love at Foxcombe Hall
04.2024 - Current

Learning and Development Manager

The Shuttleworth Trust
04.2022 - 05.2024

General Manager

North Mymms Park
06.2018 - 01.2019

Wedding and Events Manager

Milling Barn
02.2017 - 06.2018

Wedding and Events Manager

Rosewood Stud
04.2016 - 02.2017

Hospitality and Events Manager

English Heritage
07.2015 - 04.2016

Master of Arts - Social Work

University of Northampton

Bachelor of Arts - Education

University of Winchester

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Ella Rickson