Sarah Procopakis
Hindhead,United Kingdom
Summary
Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, leading and motivating, as well as excellent customer relations aptitude and relationship-building skills. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success. Dedicated to applying training, monitoring and morale-building abilities to enhance employee engagement and boost performance.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Dog walking business owner
Hounds of Hindhead
Hindhead, Surrey
2018.04 - Current
- Established and managed a highly successful dog walking business, overseeing daily operations and client relations.
- Established a strong local reputation, leading to a significant waiting list.
- Advised other pet professionals on strategies for establishing and expanding businesses.
- Established a successful business that generated substantial income while enabling me to be on hand for my children.
HR consultant
Bel & the Dragon, Churt, Surrey
Churt, Surrey
2013.08 - 2018.04
- Assisted with various HR projects including recruitment processes. Supported the establishment of pension schemes. Facilitated applicant screening and the organisation of interview days. Aided in implementing health and safety policies.
General Manager
Negozio Classica, Primrose Hill, London
London
2011.08 - 2013.01
- Established second venue for Tuscan-owned venture and cultivated a substantial and loyal local clientele amidst challenging financial conditions.
General Manager
&Beyond Mnemba Island
Zanzibar, Tanzania
2008.02 - 2011.08
- Responsible for all aspects of running this iconic £2000 night property with a team of 60 Tanzanian and expatriate staff. Increased revenue through the economic crisis, expanded a large portfolio of regular, long staying guests and built an unprecedented guest ambassador score of 97%.
- Roles included hosting and mentoring and training staff, entertaining guests, running and buying for the island boutique, handling all accounting and finance matters, project management, community and conservation work, logistics, improving the look and feel of the lodge, hospitality training, and building relations with local communities and government.
Relief Manager
&Beyond (formerly CCAfrica), PO Box 751, Arusha, Tanzania
Arusha, Tanzania
2007.06 - 2008.02
- Relief managed 8 &Beyond properties in Tanzania including a month in charge of Klein’s Camp, Serengeti. Worked and trained at all 8 &Beyond lodges in East Africa including Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and Kichwa Tembo.
Manager
Four Seasons Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2006.07 - 2006.11
- Achieved recognition of the dive centre as one of the top three luxury dive centres in the world by the Sunday Times. Enhanced team performance of 30 local and expatriate staff through effective management and training in service excellence. Elevated service standards in a high-pressure environment through strategic coordination and supervision.
Assistant Manager
Four Seasons Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2005.04 - 2006.06
- Facilitated daily operational briefings with the general manager and departmental leaders to gain insights into successful resort management. Spearheaded the design and implementation of a diving centre website to streamline reservations and improve customer experience. Excelled in a dynamic, high-pressure environment delivering exceptional service to discerning clientele.
Journalist
Go Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2003.05 - 2005.07
- Wrote travel and dive related articles for this popular Red Sea resource.
Freelance PADI Diving Instructor
Various Diving Centres, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2002.08 - 2005.04
- Trained and certified many new divers, guided groups and liveaboards predominantly based at the Four Seasons Resort.
Education
BSc (hons) - Biology
University of Sussex
BrightonSkills
- Mother Tongue: English
- Social Skills and Competence: 8 years of managing HNW clients’ needs and 13 years working in high-end hospitality has given me a deep understanding of human psychology I am very empathetic, have a keen sense of intuition and am a good reader of people These skills have aided me immensely both in making my clients happy and selecting and motivating my staff I am an excellent listener and have a calm and approachable demeanour which enables me to deal with difficult and emotionally charged situations Working in a variety of cultures with people of various beliefs has taught me sensitivity and respect I am an extremely patient person and years of teaching diving combined with my experience in training staff with no formal education has given me an aptitude for finding what inspires and motivates people
- Organisational Skills and Competence: Running isolated small islands requires a high level of logistical organization and forward planning I am a very organized person and have a knack for thinking quickly and innovatively when problem solving I have been responsible for all financial matters relating to Mnemba Island including the budgeting process I have extensive event planning experience including weddings, gala dinners and training events I am good at multi-tasking and work well in high pressure environments
- Technical Skills and Competence: I have very good computer skills, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Quickbooks accounts software I am also adept with most forms of social media
- Other Skills and Competence: I am a fast learner with a very high IQ I self-taught all the skills required to manage Mnemba Island’s accounts, uncovering and dismantling a multi million dollar fraud in the process My improvements in the accounting systems in the island led to a permanent administrator position being created at all East Africa & Beyond lodges to implement and build on my work
- I enjoy writing and have written published articles and content for social media and websites
- I have an artistic eye and have hugely enjoyed working with and assisting &Beyond’s interior designer, Chris Browne of Fox Browne Creative
- Despite many years as a professional diver and thousands of dives I remain in love with the underwater world
Certification
- PADI Open Water Instructor
- EFR First Aid trained
- British Full License
Volunteer Experience
Sina Wildlife Project, Sinai, Egypt, Volunteer, Sinai, Egypt, 1998-08, 1999-07, Lived and worked with the Bedouin tribe in a remote area of the Sinai. Assisted with basic veterinary care for livestock, rehabilitation of sick and injured wildlife, liaising and assisting St. Catherine rangers on a strong carried out research on tribal camel brands, was adapted to a very different way of life and culture in an extremely isolated environment.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
References can be provided as required.
Timeline
Dog walking business owner
Hounds of Hindhead
2018.04 - Current
HR consultant
Bel & the Dragon, Churt, Surrey
2013.08 - 2018.04
General Manager
Negozio Classica, Primrose Hill, London
2011.08 - 2013.01
General Manager
&Beyond Mnemba Island
2008.02 - 2011.08
Relief Manager
&Beyond (formerly CCAfrica), PO Box 751, Arusha, Tanzania
2007.06 - 2008.02
Manager
Four Seasons Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2006.07 - 2006.11
Assistant Manager
Four Seasons Resort, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2005.04 - 2006.06
Journalist
Go Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2003.05 - 2005.07
Freelance PADI Diving Instructor
Various Diving Centres, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
2002.08 - 2005.04
BSc (hons) - Biology
University of Sussex