Matthew Seddon
Nairn,Scottish Highlands
Summary
I am a driven and ambitious working professional with a proven track record in the entertainment/attractions/hospitality industry. My keen ability to lead teams from the front and optimise operations has led me to succeed within every company I have worked for, Over the years, my passion for my work has led to some incredible opportunities which have not only furthered my career but also given me the skillset required to be a successful and confident leader. I'm an individual who is always willing and eager to learn, adapt and evolve; ready to take on any challenge/opportunity/new role that is thrown my way.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Deputy manager
Hollywood Bowl
Inverness, Highland
06.2025 - Current
- Operational Oversight: Supporting senior leadership by overseeing the daily operations of the site.
- Team Leadership: Supervising, coaching, mentoring and training of the team through monthly 121's, team huddles and observed assessments.
- Managerial Support: Covering for the General Manager and assisting with key decision making in their absence.
- Strategic Contribution: Implementing targets, goals and objectives to ensure that the team are meeting their monthly KPI's.
Dual site manager (Maternity Cover)
Gravity Max
Warrington, North West
10.2024 - 06.2025
- Operations Management: Ensuring the smooth, efficient daily operations of two sites including opening/closing, cleanliness and presentation.
- Financial Management: Monitor KPI's, control budgets, manage payroll and analyse sales trends to exceed profit targets.
- Team Leadership: Training and developing a workforce of 30 staff across two locations, managing their personal performance and promoting a positive working environment.
- Health, Safety & Compliance: Enforce company policies, monitor H&S regulations and ensure HACCAP & COSHH compliance is behind adhered to.
General manager
The Crystal Maze Live Experience
Manchester, North West
01.2024 - 10.2024
- Operational Excellence: Leading a team of 70 across multiple departments to ensure the efficient running of one of the UK's leading immersive attractions.
- Budget & Finance Management: Creating, controlling and monitoring the production budget by ensuring that expenses are approved, contracts are negotiated and payroll is adhered to.
- Technical Oversight: Ensuring that technical elements (such as sets, lighting, sound and props) are built, installed and maintained safely and efficiently.
- Competitor Analysis: Researching products, pricing, sales trends and marketing tactics to gain a competitive edge over other local attractions.
Area manager
Immersive Gamebox
Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, North
12.2022 - 01.2024
- Operational Execution: Acting as the link between sites and upper management by overseeing the efficient running of three locations across the North of England.
- Promoting Brand Standards: Ensured that all 3 sites (company owned and concession owned) are adhering to brand standards across all aspects of the business
- Sales & Strategy: Developed business plans, set sales targets and monitored individual site performances to implement strategies that further boosted revenue.
- Fostering Collaboration & Communication: Worked with brand partners (Netflix, Universal, Nickelodeon) to oversee the successful product launches of several new experiences in all three venues.
General manager
Immersive Gamebox
Manchester, North West
09.2022 - 12.2022
- Optimizing Brand Improvement: Working alongside upper management to trial and roll out new policy and procedure that would help shape the growth of the company.
- Local Marketing & Outbound Sales: Adopted a 'new-school' approach to marketing to help push and promote the venue/product through TikTok, Instagram and regular influencer/networking events.
- Strengthening Guest Retention: Converted first time buyers into returning customers through the use of loyalty schemes, promotional mail-outs and the running of VIP events.
- Feedback Focussed: Daily focus on incoming CSAT and OSAT reviews to implement change that would help the site rise from 14th to 2nd on Tripadvisor within the space of a few months.
General manager
Escape Hunt
Liverpool, North West
08.2021 - 09.2022
- Team Leadership: Recruited, onboarded and trained Games Masters. Created their rotas, managed their performance and coached them to deliver a world-class customer experience.
- Sales & Revenue Management: Drove sales initiatives, maximized yield from activities and achieved secondary revenue targets through food & beverage upsells.
- Brand Development: Identified local sales/partnership opportunities to build brand awareness in the community and help maximize revenue through B2B sales and outreach.
- Venue Maintenance: Performed routine maintenance and safety checks on rooms, props, puzzles and equipment as well as keeping detailed reports for compliance purposes.
Corporate sales executive
Escape Hunt
Manchester, North West
12.2020 - 08.2021
- Client Relationship Management: Built and maintained strong relations with clients, ensuring their needs were met and providing excellent customer service.
- Lead Generation: Identified and pursued new sales prospects through networking, outreach, cold calling and market research.
- Sales Negotiations: Conducted product demonstrations and site visits with large clients to negotiate package sales and close deals effectively.
- Driving Innovation: One of the team involved in the set-up and running of the innovative 'Zoom Into The Room Experience', which allowed customers and clients across the globe to continue playing our experiences remotely through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History
Lancaster University
Lancaster, England 09.2014 - 06.2017
A-Levels - History, English Literature, Religion, Law
Runshaw College
Leyland 09.2012 - 07.2014
Skills
- Operations Management
- People Development Management
- Sales & Service Management
- Customer Relations Management
- HR Procedure Management
- SCPLH: Scottish Certificate For Personal License Holders
- APLH: Award For English Personal License Holders
- RQF3: First Aid At Work Level 3
- MARAS Award Winner 2023: Best Manchester Attraction
- MARAS Award Winner 2022: Best Manchester Attraction
Timeline
Deputy manager
Hollywood Bowl
06.2025 - Current
Dual site manager (Maternity Cover)
Gravity Max
10.2024 - 06.2025
General manager
The Crystal Maze Live Experience
01.2024 - 10.2024
Area manager
Immersive Gamebox
12.2022 - 01.2024
General manager
Immersive Gamebox
09.2022 - 12.2022
General manager
Escape Hunt
08.2021 - 09.2022
Corporate sales executive
Escape Hunt
12.2020 - 08.2021
Bachelor of Arts - History
Lancaster University
09.2014 - 06.2017
A-Levels - History, English Literature, Religion, Law
Runshaw College
09.2012 - 07.2014