PROFIT THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY
East of England

David Battersby – Managing Director

David has been Managing Director of HaLM since 1990.

In 2001, with Bob Cotton, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, David launched the Best Practice Forum and the ‘Profit Through Productivity’ programme, with backing from the Government and the key trade associations in the tourism, hospitality and leisure sector.

David has over 30 years’ experience at strategic level in the sector. He is a Fellow and Past President of the Institute of Hospitality, a Director of the Academy of Food and Wine Service, a Fellow of the Tourism Society, a past Trustee of the Savoy Educational Trust and a member of the Government’s Tourism Forum. In 1998, David was awarded an OBE for services to the hospitality industry and in 1999 was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Before setting up HaLM, David was Director of Training at the Hotel and Catering Training Board with responsibility for the national recruitment, training, retention and enterprise strategy for the tourism, hospitality and leisure industry.

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Paul Hickey - Lead Consultant to the Project

Paul has worked with David Battersby, HaLM and the Best Practice Forum since 2002.

Responsible for setting up the ‘Profit Through Productivity’ programme in the East of England, Paul works closely with the Learning and Skills Council and other key partners, such as East of England Tourism, the Suffolk Tourism Partnership, Norfolk Tourism, the Essex Tourism Association and the Best Practice Forum trade bodies to engage businesses across the region onto the programme. He is also responsible for the development and co-ordination of a national team of 80 tourism sector-specific business coaches, who play a key role in the delivery of the ‘Profit Through Productivity’ programme, in the East of England and around the country.

After sales and operational management positions with the Savoy Group and Ladbroke, Paul was a Director of the Hospitality Training Foundation (HtF) for 8 years, where he launched and headed up the national Hospitality Awarding Body (HAB). During his time at HtF, Paul was also Marketing Director, Commercial Director and Director of the HCTC (Hotel and Catering Training Company). More recently, Paul ran the training and consultancy operations of Angela Mortimer plc in London, Paris and Brussels. He has a degree in Hospitality Management.

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Judith Clarke – Research and Development Manager

Judith Clarke is Research and Development Manager at Hospitality and Leisure Manpower (HaLM). Judith, together with Annie Michael and Lucy Dudman at HaLM provide a valuable helpline service for ‘Profit Through Productivity’ businesses using the Induction Training Pack. They can answer any queries a business may have and help with the ordering of materials and completion of assessments.

Before joining HaLM in 2007, Judith worked as a consultant in the tourism sector for 15 years, specializing in HR and training. Clients included Radisson Edwardian, the Ritz, Firmdale Hotels, Choice Hotels International, Compass and Sodexho. Her work with Hollybourne Hotels helped them become regional winner of the 2006 Edge Training Awards.

Prior to that, Judith held operational and management positions with Grand Metropolitan Hotels and Queens Moat Houses. She also set up the training and development systems at Le Méridien Piccadilly in London. Judith is an accredited ‘trainer of trainers’ and has an HND in Hotel and Catering Management.

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Annie Michael – Research and Development Administrator

Annie, with Judith Clarke and Lucy Dudman, provides the helpline service for ‘Profit Through Productivity’ businesses using the Induction Training Pack. She can answer any queries a business may have, including about ordering materials and the completion of assessments.

Annie is also there to help ‘Profit Through Productivity’ businesses take advantage of the Excellence Through People scheme. As a first step, she can send those interested an Excellence Through People ‘Starter Pack’ on request.

In addition, Annie liaises directly with businesses to compile ‘Profit Through Productivity’ success stories and gain valuable PR coverage – raising the profiles of both the programme and the businesses.

Annie joined HaLM in 2007. Previously, she was Student Tutor at Grantham College where, for 2 years, she trained and mentored NVQ students. Annie has 20 years of financial and administrative experience, with a strong focus on customer service gained from a range of business sectors including international banking, education and tourism. She holds a degree in Leisure and Tourism Management.

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Lucy Dudman – Research & Development Administrator

Lucy, with Judith Clarke and Annie Michael, provides the helpline service for ‘Profit Through Productivity’ businesses using the Induction Training Pack. She can answer any queries a business may have, including about ordering materials and the completion of assessments.

Lucy is also there to help ‘Profit Through Productivity’ businesses take advantage of the Excellence Through People scheme. As a first step, she can send those interested an Excellence Through People ‘Starter Pack’ on request.

Lucy joined HaLM in 2008, having spent the last 5 years working in the hotel industry. Recently, Lucy was Reception Manager for De Vere, Branksome Place in Surrey, where she was responsible for a team of 8 people. Prior to that, she was Assistant Manager with Hollybourne Hotels.  

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Richard Whittle - Administration Manager

Richard is responsible for managing the contract for the ‘Profit Through Productivity’ programme with the Learning and Skills Council East of England, including ensuring all targets and responsibilities for quality assurance, administration and project delivery are achieved. It’s also Richard’s role to manage the IT systems and quality procedures across the company at HaLM and to implement consistently high operating standards.  

Richard joined HaLM in 2006 with an extensive experience of quality systems, statistical analysis and database management. He was Divisional Operations Manager for Map Marketing Ltd where his focus was on sales, production management and product delivery. Before that, Richard was Sales Executive for Windowmaker Software Ltd, responsible for new business development. He holds a degree in Operations Management.

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Barbara Barnes – Secretary

Barbara has worked with David Battersby at HaLM since 1993.

She is responsible for managing the HaLM office and administrative support work for David in his role as Managing Director.

Barbara also administers a number of national competitions and awards managed by HaLM, including the Roux Scholarship, perhaps the ultimate British competition for chefs.

In addition, Barbara provides the administration support for the Excellence Through People accreditation scheme, managed by HaLM on behalf of the Best Practice Forum.

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