Garden has worked with the Sodexo Prestige recruitment team to bring in top industry talent to grow the conference and events side of the businesses, which is enjoying a strong year so far, buoyed by the fantastic season the club are having at the top of the SPFL table.
John Richardson, who has a host of experience with other top Scottish football clubs, including Dundee United and Celtic, has been appointed as deputy general manager to manage specific catering, hospitality and sales services.
Sales manager, Debra Lorimer, will be hoping to bring the kind of form she was noted for at Hilton Worldwide and Dakota. Fiona Bell, who has joined from five star golf resort, Trump Turnberry, as sales and events coordinator, will be working closely with Debra to push the stadium to the forefront of the North-East events market through unique offerings, which demonstrate the versatility of the venue and draw in old and new clientele.
David Trotter, catering services director for Sodexo Prestige Venues & Events, said: “We’re delighted to have attracted such talented and experienced people into the team at AFC and it’s been great to see them settling in so quickly.
“We have hired people who we feel will not only be a good fit for our company, but who all have unique and specialist experience in their role, so we are confident that they will lead AFC to conference & event success.
“It seems that the new team will be off to a very busy start with the football team’s strong performance so far, the added opportunities this brings through aspects like European football and non-football related events that will be bolstered by 2015 being Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink.
“A key aim for the new team is not only to drive sales at the venue, but is also to build on two key aspects, the development of stadium’s conference and events business and the overall experience had by clients and match goers.”
Sodexo employs around 35,000 people, and delivers services that improve the quality of life to clients at some 2,000 locations.