Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Lauren Hole

Swansea

Summary

Strategic and commercially focused business leader with 18+ years’ experience in General Management, HR leadership, and commercial operations. Proven ability to scale multi-million-pound enterprises, lead 250+ staff, and deliver £3m+ turnover with consistent profitability. Entrepreneurial background includes successfully owning and growing a retail business to £1m turnover. Alongside commercial delivery, I act as a trusted advisor, mentoring senior managers, guiding SMEs, and connecting businesses with professional networks to access funding, strengthen compliance, and achieve growth. Recognised for building long-term relationships across banks, accountants, legal advisors, and local authority business support teams to unlock opportunities.

Overview

2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

General Manager

Oldwalls Gower Limited
01.2015 - Current

As General Manager of a multimillion-pound business with an annual turnover exceeding £3m, I hold responsibility for the overall leadership and operational performance of the organisation. Alongside my role as HR Business Partner, I combine commercial management with strategic people leadership to deliver sustainable business growth.

  • Lead day-to-day operations across multiple departments including front of house, bar, kitchen, accommodation, logistics, and maintenance.
  • Accountable for financial performance, ensuring revenue, profit, and cost-control targets are consistently achieved or exceeded.
  • Direct and support a workforce of 150+ employees, fostering a high-performance culture and embedding structured systems to enhance efficiency.
  • Oversee the planning and delivery of large-scale weddings and events hosting 250+ guests, maintaining exceptional service quality and client satisfaction.
  • Balance dual responsibilities of GM and HRBP, integrating workforce development with operational delivery to strengthen long-term business capability.
  • Adapt to complex and changing demands, demonstrating resilience, prioritisation, and strong leadership in a high-pressure environment.

This role has developed my ability to align strategic planning with operational execution, driving both commercial outcomes and organisational excellence.

HR Business Partner | Talent Acquisition | Payroll

Oldwalls Gower Limited
01.2008 - Current
  • Designed and implemented HR policies, employee handbooks, and contracts aligned with company objectives and employment law.
  • Led end-to-end talent acquisition strategies, optimising recruitment processes to attract, develop, and retain top talent across multiple departments.
  • Directed succession planning and career development pathways, ensuring a strong leadership pipeline and internal promotion opportunities.
  • Drove employee engagement and retention initiatives, including structured onboarding, performance reviews, and exit feedback processes.
  • Conducted workforce planning and benchmarking to ensure staffing levels met operational and financial requirements.
  • Delivered HR training programs, focusing on leadership capability, compliance, and workplace culture.
  • Oversaw payroll operations for 250+ employees, ensuring accuracy, compliance with HMRC regulations, and timely delivery of salaries, pensions, and statutory entitlements.
  • Produced payroll and workforce reports to support senior management with budgeting, forecasting, and strategic decision-making.
  • Implemented incentive and bonus schemes to improve performance, motivation, and staff retention.
  • Acted as a trusted HR advisor to managers and employees, ensuring best practice in employee relations, compliance, and workforce development.

A strategic and results-driven HR leader with expertise in talent acquisition, workforce planning, employee engagement, and payroll management—committed to aligning people strategy with business growth and operational excellence.

Co-Founder & Business Development Manager

Milestone Property Investments
2025 - Current

Spearheading property investment and development portfolio. Working with financial advisors, brokers, and legal teams to secure acquisitions and funding, while overseeing financial planning, business strategy, and operational efficiency.

HR & Recruitment Consultant

Bradbar Limited
01.2021 - 12.2024

Supported SMEs with recruitment strategies, workforce planning, and HR compliance. Delivered tailored people solutions aligned with commercial objectives.

Managing Director

Gower Retail Limited
04.2011 - 12.2021

Founded and grew a retail business with £1m+ annual turnover. Oversaw finance, HR, operations, and strategic growth.

• Negotiated supplier contracts and drove revenue through product innovation and local partnerships
• Managed full P&L accountability, achieving consistent profitability
• Built and led a team of six employees, developing structured systems and processes to scale operations

Head of Weddings & Special Events

Oldwalls Gower Limited
01.2008 - 12.2015
  • Developed and delivered high-profile weddings and events for 250+ guests, ensuring seamless operations and exceptional client experiences.
  • Designed and implemented revenue-generation strategies, creating new income streams through event design, upselling, and premium service offerings.
  • Oversaw event logistics, scheduling, and resource allocation, ensuring efficiency and smooth delivery across multiple concurrent functions.
  • Managed vendor relationships with caterers, florists, photographers, and entertainment providers, ensuring consistent quality and service standards.
  • Led and coordinated cross-functional teams of 30–60 staff, conducting pre-event briefings, delegating effectively, and fostering high performance.
  • Directed budgeting, financial planning, and operational reporting to maximise profitability and control costs.
  • Monitored and maintained quality standards, implementing continuous improvements based on client feedback.
  • Recruited, trained, and developed event staff, building a motivated team committed to five-star service delivery.
  • Adapted to flexible working demands, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to oversee critical event operations.

A results-driven leadership role requiring strong organisation, problem-solving, and customer focus to deliver outstanding, commercially successful events.

Bar Manager

Oldwalls Gower Limited
01.2008 - 12.2011

Sales & Duty Manager

Goodnews Newsagents
10.2004 - 01.2008

Customer Sales Representative

Virgin Media Business
08.2005 - 10.2006

Bar Manager

Bounders Pub & Restaurant Spain
08.2003 - 09.2004

Bar Staff Member

The Britannia Inn
10.2002 - 08.2003

Retail Sales Assistant

Goodnews Newsagents
10.1998 - 06.2003

Education

Foundation Degree - Human Resource Management, CIPD Level 5 Human Resource Management

University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
09.2015

Foundation Degree - Human Resource Management, CIPD Level 3 Human Resource Management

University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
09.2014

Access Course - Business Management

University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Swansea, City and County of Swansea

AS Level - Accounting and Finance

Gower College Swansea
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
09.2008

AS Level - Spanish Language and Literature

Gower College Swansea
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
09.2005

AS Level - Communication and Media Studies

Gower College Gorseinon
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
09.2002

AS Level - Art and design

Gower College Gorseinon
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
09.2002

AS Level - Spanish Language and Literature

Gower College Gorseinon
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
09.2002

GCSEs - Maths, English Literature, English Language, PE (Physical Education), Art, Double Science

Gowerton Comprehensive School
Swansea, City and County of Swansea
07.2001

Skills

  • Supported the growth of Oldwalls Gower from a single-site venue to a multi-venue business with £3m turnover and 250 staff
  • Advised and coached 10 senior managers across venues, enhancing leadership capability and succession planning
  • Supported supply chain SMEs (photographers, florists, caterers, stylists) with contracts, pricing models, and compliance advice
  • Built and leveraged a professional network (banks, accountants, legal advisors, local authority) to connect businesses with funding and compliance support
  • Founded and managed a retail business to £1m turnover, overseeing finance, strategy, and operations
  • Delivered consistent year-on-year revenue growth at Oldwalls through diversification, pricing strategy, and cost control
  • Served as advisory board member for Vibe Youth CIC, contributing governance and commercial advice

Accomplishments

    • Business Growth & Commercial Strategy – Driving multimillion-pound revenue, diversification, and new income streams

    • Advisory & Mentoring – Coaching senior managers and SMEs on leadership, pricing, compliance, and scaling

    • HR Leadership & Workforce Planning – CIPD-qualified leader with expertise in recruitment, engagement, and succession planning

    • Financial Oversight & Compliance – Budgeting, forecasting, payroll, and financial control for £3m+ turnover businesses

    • Professional Network – Leveraging banks, accountants, legal advisors, and local authority teams to connect businesses with expertise

    • Leadership Development & Governance – Board-level advisor with experience in NED/voluntary roles

    • Operations & Transformation – Building systems, departments, and processes to improve efficiency and profitability

    • Remote & Digital Leadership – Skilled in Microsoft 365, HRIS, CRM, and project management platforms

Certification

  • Associate CIPD Membership
  • Full UK Driving License
  • First Aid Training
  • Food & Hygiene Certificate
  • Fire Safety Training

Timeline

HR & Recruitment Consultant

Bradbar Limited
01.2021 - 12.2024

General Manager

Oldwalls Gower Limited
01.2015 - Current

Managing Director

Gower Retail Limited
04.2011 - 12.2021

HR Business Partner | Talent Acquisition | Payroll

Oldwalls Gower Limited
01.2008 - Current

Head of Weddings & Special Events

Oldwalls Gower Limited
01.2008 - 12.2015

Bar Manager

Oldwalls Gower Limited
01.2008 - 12.2011

Customer Sales Representative

Virgin Media Business
08.2005 - 10.2006

Sales & Duty Manager

Goodnews Newsagents
10.2004 - 01.2008

Bar Manager

Bounders Pub & Restaurant Spain
08.2003 - 09.2004

Bar Staff Member

The Britannia Inn
10.2002 - 08.2003

Retail Sales Assistant

Goodnews Newsagents
10.1998 - 06.2003

Foundation Degree - Human Resource Management, CIPD Level 3 Human Resource Management

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

Access Course - Business Management

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

AS Level - Accounting and Finance

Gower College Swansea

AS Level - Spanish Language and Literature

Gower College Swansea

AS Level - Communication and Media Studies

Gower College Gorseinon

AS Level - Art and design

Gower College Gorseinon

AS Level - Spanish Language and Literature

Gower College Gorseinon

Co-Founder & Business Development Manager

Milestone Property Investments
2025 - Current

Foundation Degree - Human Resource Management, CIPD Level 5 Human Resource Management

University of Wales Trinity Saint David

GCSEs - Maths, English Literature, English Language, PE (Physical Education), Art, Double Science

Gowerton Comprehensive School
Lauren Hole