Business Development Manager, Chaophraya Newcastle
What were your career ambitions growing up?
My career ambitions growing up were to get into a role where there was potential for me to develop and progress within an organisation. I always wanted to be in a role where I could gain further responsibility and help to grow a business and see it succeed.
Tell us about your current role.
Currently I am the Business Development Manager for the Thai Leisure group that looks after Chaophraya in Newcastle. I am responsible for driving the corporate side of the business, this ranges from bookings that could be for small groups for Business meetings through to full Venue hires.
What is your proudest business achievement?
I feel this is a difficult one to answer, I have only been in my current role for three months now, but I feel there has been a lot I have already worked on in this short period of time. I am proud of all events we at Chaophraya have been able to deliver and we have had brilliant feedback from our clients.
What are you currently working on?
Currently I am working on a number of events with Christmas now just being a few short months away. A lot of dates for the remainder of the year are filling up which is great to see and is setting us up well to move into 2025.
Tell us about the team you work with?
We have a great team all throughout the business. From our central team right through to each of our six restaurants. For Newcastle we are all highly collaborative and always bouncing different ideas of how we can get different events set up so they can all be unique in their own way. I really can’t thank the team enough for all the hard work they do daily to deliver for not just Corporates but for all of our customers that come into the restaurant.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
The best advice I’ve received is there is always something to be working on or someone to be speaking to. Being in a development role you have to be going out and meeting people and making those initial introductions and connections to set yourself up.
What has been your biggest challenge ?
Every booking in its own way has its challenges depending on the client’s needs and wants but I don’t know which one has been the biggest so far. I would say they have all been something that I have enjoyed and seeing it all come together that is the most rewarding part.
Who are your heroes inside and outside of business?
My heroes inside and outside of business, bit of a cheesy answer but I could go with Amanda Staveley because of how successful she has been in business for one. But personally, for me it would be because of what she has helped to do with Newcastle United football club.
How do you unwind outside of work?
Following on from the previous question, I love going to the Newcastle matches at SJP. I also enjoy going to the gym and keeping myself active. Most people who know me would say I am highly competitive when it comes to different challenges which I always enjoy.
Favourite Book and Boxset?
I’ve never been one for books, however I do like a boxset… the Fast and Furious movies, with always having an interest in cars!
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