Launched Paul Fizia Associates , Consultant, currently working with a 4 star deluxe hotel in central London as a managerial consultant.

Head hunted in March 2008 to be responsible for all areas of running this newly opened 48 bedroom deluxe hotel in the heart of Belgravia. Hotel has undergone a complete refurbishment and re-opened in June 2008. Responsible for all operational matters related to running the hotel. Mainly focusing over the last few months in increasing the profile of the hotel and occupancy levels making the most of extensive contacts built up over 30 year period in London.

Achievements

• Steady increase in occupancy levels since the hotel opened despite current economic climate.
• Building a stable, well trained team in a new hotel that is effective and highly motivated.
• Organising all areas relating to health and safety such as risk assessments, hotel health and safety policy, ensuring the hotel complies with current legislation.
• Significantly increasing profile of hotel with extensive networking through contacts built up over 30 years in London.
• Setting up hotel on all major online areas and achieving very high results in feedback on these sites.
• Making extensive use of high profile, low cost marketing opportunities with organisations such as VisitLondon and VisitBritain.
• Setting up personnel procedures such as contracts, job descriptions and standards of procedure.
• Ensuring the hotel meets budgeting target.
• Setting up procedures so that sales are maximised.
• Establishing a newsletter production building on database of guest.
• Increasing profile of hotel in local area through contacts, local business, charity organisations, schools and churches.

Directly responsible for running all areas of this busy, high quality privately owned 28 bedroom hotel in central London. Recruited as Hotel Manager and invited to become board director October 2002 (first non-family member on board). Responsible for all operational matters related to running the hotel:- selling of hotel accommodation and services; maximising yield, occupancy and average room rates; producing budgets, forecasts and ensuring hotel meets targets set; organising and assessing labour requirements; training, development, recruitment, discipline and retention of staff; health and safety; all financial matters concerning accounting; projects; marketing; repairs and maintenance; payroll; insurance matters; ensuring costs are kept within a competitive framework; hotel licensing matters; advertising; compliance with legislation.

Achievements

• 15% increase in room revenue and 14% increase in room occupancy 2005/6 to 2006/7 and subsequent substantial increase in net operating profit of the business during the same period.
• Rebuilding business levels after recent world events such as 9/11 and 7/7.
• Building a team with unusually low levels staff turnover, front office staff with an average length of service of over six years, housekeeper 14 years service and many other long serving members of staff.
• Creation and implementation of new payroll system using Sage and Payflow April/May 2007.
• Installation of Server to network hotels computers December 2006.
• Installation of interfaced wireless broadband system throughout the hotel August 2006.
• Installation of LCD TV's with 'Freeview' throughout the hotel August 2006.
• Modernisation of hotel kitchen August 2006.
• Upgrade of hotel web site July 2006.
• Implementation of new laundry facility in hotel February 2006.
• implementation of hotels on-line booking system linked with web site August 2005.
• Ongoing modernisation and refurbishment of hotel rooms.
• Upgrade of hotel boilers and calorifiers.
• Implementation of new PMS system September 2004 and associated credit card processing.
• E-newsletter production every other month with extensive data base of guests contacts.
• Complete refurbishment of front elevation of hotel Summer 2003.
• Building of 3 new rooms and new reception lounge and office area 1998.
• Assisting with opening and running of sister hotel the St Enodoc 1998 to sale.
• Build up of extensive network of contacts with VisitBritain, VisitLondon and other professional bodies.

Responsible for setting up management division of sister consultancy to Jubilee Catering dealing with the recruitment of management and FOH staff in 4/5 star hotels and restaurants.

Achievements

On leaving the company the management side had enough business to warrant two full time consultants.

Responsible for all Front of House area in this busy 175 bedroom country house hotel.

I undertook the following roles:

• Senior Assistant Manager/Deputy Front Office Manager 01/90 - 01/91
• Crown Club Manager 10/87 - 01/90
• Shift Leader 01/86 - 10/87
• Receptionist 04/85 - 01/86
• Working in front office department from receptionist to Deputy Front Office Manager.

Extensive training in all departments of hotel operations at The Savoy, Claridge's and The Berkeley.

Micros Fidelio Entirerity; CISA; HotelPerfect; IGS; Meridien Option 11; Dione; Sage; Easikey; Innsite; Saflok; Windows applications up to XP; Many different on line booking engines.

I am a member of the following groups:

• Savoy Society (Trustee) - Former committee member and Honorary Secretary
• AICR - Former committee member
• IOH
• Former committee member of Knightsbridge community liaison group of Bowater development
• Former member of VisitLondon Mayoral advisory group.

My personal interests include the following:

• All sports, socialising, good food and wine.
• References available on request.