Mark Bowman
St Albans
Summary
Accomplished professional with extensive expertise in restaurant, kitchen, and hospitality operations, complemented by a strong background in leisure facilities management. Demonstrates exceptional leadership and staff development skills, fostering a service culture that enhances guest experience and satisfaction. Proven track record in high-volume service management, P&L responsibility, and cost control. Adept at staff scheduling, payroll management, and training to ensure optimal performance and operational efficiency. Skilled in opening new venues, event planning, social media promotion, and adhering to health and safety regulations. Committed to continuous process improvement and quality control to drive customer satisfaction and resolve complaints effectively.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work history
Event Manager
Contract Catering Manager temp agency
2025.12 - 2026.04
- Working various contracts, managing meetings and events in and Greater London
Career Break
2025.02 - 2025.11
- Took time to tend to a health-related matter. Remained engaged with hospitality trends, operational optimisation, and marketing innovation.
Co-Founder / Operations Manager
Ragu Catering – Barcelona
Barcelona
2023.06 - 2025.01
- Co-founded and managed a hospitality-focused production and delivery operation
- Led daily operations, staffing, quality control, and customer experience
- Delivered an average of 100 meals per day while maintaining consistency and cost control
- Developed scalable operational processes and service standards
Project Manager
Essentiel – Barcelona
Barcelona
2020.09 - 2023.08
- Managed international service operations for global brands including Real Madrid FC and Maison du Monde
- Owned KPI performance, quality assurance, reporting, and client service delivery, exceeded stakeholder targets consistently by more than 5%
- Delivered operational improvements aligned to client brand standards
- Promoted team collaboration for more innovative solutions in projects.
- Integrated new technologies into existing systems for improved functionality.
Freelance
Hospitality Consultant - Barcelona
Barcelona
2018.11 - 2020.01
- Specialising in quality assurance and people management in leading food and beverage venues.
Rooms Division Manager
Monument Hotel (5 Luxury) – Barcelona
Barcelona
2016.11 - 2018.11
- Directed rooms division and front-of-house operations, including front office, concierge, reservations, guest relations, and outsourced housekeeping
- Led large, multi-department teams delivering luxury service standards
- Managed departmental budgets, payroll, and cost control
- Drove guest satisfaction scores through service training and engagement initiatives generating increases of 10%
- Acted as senior operational leader, working closely with ownership and executive leadership
- Demonstrated exceptional leadership skills whilst fostering a positive work environment among staff members.
- Played a key role in revenue generation strategies for the rooms division.
- Stayed abreast of industry trends and best practices through continuous professional development.
Assistant General Manager
Hard Rock Cafe International – Barcelona / Lisbon / Cologne
Barcelona / Lisbon / Cologne
2015.05 - 2016.11
- Supported daily operations of high-volume international restaurant brand.
- Assisted in managing service flow and enhancing guest experience.
- Contributed to team performance initiatives for over 100 staff members.
- Aided in maintaining brand standards and service quality during busy periods.
- Participated in recruitment, training, and development of management and service teams.
- Ensured compliance with health and safety standards for a safe workplace.
House Manager (Temporary Cover)
Soho House – Dean Street Townhouse, London
London
2014.09 - 2015.04
- Assisted with guest experience and front-of-house operations in high-profile London lifestyle hotel.
- Supported delivery of Soho House service culture and brand standards.
- Provided leadership during senior management absence.
Front of House Manager
Great Northern Hotel – London
London
2012.05 - 2014.05
- Supported reopening of landmark London hotel through effective management of front office, concierge, reservations, and guest services operations.
- Assisted in setting competitive rates and optimising yield management across various booking platforms.
- Ensured consistent service standards during complex opening phase to enhance guest experience.
Residences Operations Manager
One Hyde Park (Mandarin Oriental Residences) – London
London
2010.06 - 2012.01
- Oversaw daily operations of 86 ultra-luxury private residences with full hotel services.
- Assisted in managing residential service charge budgets exceeding £4m per annum.
- Delivered personalised services to high-net-worth residents.
- Supported adherence to Mandarin Oriental brand standards across all residential services.
Front Office Manager
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – London
London
2009.02 - 2010.06
- Progressive leadership roles within a leading global luxury hotel brand
- Managed front office operations, guest services, and duty management
- Delivered high levels of guest satisfaction and service recovery
Duty Manager
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – London
London
2007.11 - 2009.02
- Progressive leadership roles within a leading global luxury hotel brand
- Managed front office operations, guest services, and duty management
- Delivered high levels of guest satisfaction and service recovery
Guest Services Manager
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – London
London
2005.05 - 2007.11
- Progressive leadership roles within a leading global luxury hotel brand
- Managed front office operations, guest services, and duty management
- Delivered high levels of guest satisfaction and service recovery
Education
BA (Hons) - Hospitality Management
University of Brighton
Skills
- Restaurant, Kitchen & Hospitality Operations
- Leisure Facilities Management
- Leadership & Staff Development
- Guest Experience & Service Culture
- High-Volume Service Management
- P&L Responsibility & Cost Control
- Staff Scheduling & Payroll Management
- Training & Performance Management
- Service Standards & Quality Control
- Customer Satisfaction & Complaint Resolution
- Operational Efficiency & Process Improvement
- Opening New Venues & Operational Setup
- Event planning
- Social media promotion
- Health and Safety regulations
INTERESTS
Travel, cooking, cycling, discovering new cultures, music, and film.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Mandarin Oriental Colleague of the Month, Mandarin Oriental Colleague of the Year
Languages
Spanish
Fluent
Affiliations
- Cooking, Architecture, Cinema, Poetry, Design, Walking
Timeline
Event Manager
Contract Catering Manager temp agency
2025.12 - 2026.04
Career Break
2025.02 - 2025.11
Co-Founder / Operations Manager
Ragu Catering – Barcelona
2023.06 - 2025.01
Project Manager
Essentiel – Barcelona
2020.09 - 2023.08
Freelance
Hospitality Consultant - Barcelona
2018.11 - 2020.01
Rooms Division Manager
Monument Hotel (5 Luxury) – Barcelona
2016.11 - 2018.11
Assistant General Manager
Hard Rock Cafe International – Barcelona / Lisbon / Cologne
2015.05 - 2016.11
House Manager (Temporary Cover)
Soho House – Dean Street Townhouse, London
2014.09 - 2015.04
Front of House Manager
Great Northern Hotel – London
2012.05 - 2014.05
Residences Operations Manager
One Hyde Park (Mandarin Oriental Residences) – London
2010.06 - 2012.01
Front Office Manager
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – London
2009.02 - 2010.06
Duty Manager
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – London
2007.11 - 2009.02
Guest Services Manager
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park – London
2005.05 - 2007.11
BA (Hons) - Hospitality Management
University of Brighton