Off to Work Consultancy - Meet the team
Jane Leese • General Manager
I joined the team at Off to Work Summer 2010 to develop the Permanent Recruitment division and bring with me over 15 years experience within hospitality, leisure and recruitment.
After graduating with a Biochemistry degree from the University of London, and deciding not to take up a career as a scientist, it seemed a natural move for me to go into Madame Tussauds!
Combining the recruitment and sales experience lead me into a recruitment business where I have enjoyed developing relationships with clients to support their recruitment requirements and candidates, providing career development advice and support. Over the last 10 years I have recruited for many large businesses such as Diageo, Associated British Foods and De Vere Hotels as well as smaller companies like Pizza Express and La Gavroche. I have recruited junior members of staff through to Senior Board level appointments and I am looking forward to the challenge of bringing all my experience together and creating a successful, permanent division here at Off to Work.
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Rafaella Brown • Permanent Recruitment Assistant
I have recently joined the Permanent Recruitment team. I have worked in hospitality for 6 years and I am very passionate about it.
After finishing my Diploma on Events Management at the Event School London, I was offered a job with Off to Work and it has been quite an experience. A friendly welcoming and intellectually challenging job, where I can see myself building a career.
Philip Atkins • Founder and Director
Philip has been involved in the hospitality industry for twenty years and brings an immense amount of event management, personnel training and recruitment experience to Off to Work.
After studying a BA (Hons) Degree in Hospitality management Philip joined the Regent group of Hotels and was part of the opening team of the five star Regent London Hotel, now known as The Landmark Hotel.
He left the Regent to move into Front of House Management at the world famous Madame Tussaud’s. After a successful period in Front of House, Philip moved into events at Madame Tussaud’s where he found his true forte.
Philip left Madame Tussaud’s to become Operations Manager of Events at The Natural History Museum, London. The museum has been one of the most successful unique venues in London hosting up to 180 events every year. It is also the industry leader in its commitment to the upholding of health & safety and high standards within the Events Industry.
Philip was then headhunted by First Protocol to continue in event management, dealing with clients such as BT and MasterCard, and managing all events that came through Vinopolis.
Following his seven years of Event Management experience Philip left First Protocol to set-up Off to Work. The company was formed with the maxim that something better could be added to the industry in terms of the quality of staff that were being brought into it and the way that they are dealt with. Off to Work was to provide a professional, customer focused and courteous service to both external and internal customers. This overall philosophy has been achieved and is the main rudder to all Off to Work’s proceedings.
Philip believes in a CANI (Constant And Never-ending Innovation) approach to business looking to improve the service of Off to Work and to create additional synergy with our clients at every opportunity. Philip also sits on the board of ISES and believes in the development of better practices in the event industry and also the promotion of the undoubted talent the UK has onto a worldwide stage.
Robert Persson • Director of Operations
"The biggest challenge with providing exceptional staff to the very highest end of the events/hospitality industry is finding the right mix of people. Sourcing a group of models for a one-off product launch, when appearance is everything, is not particularly difficult and it is something we can do quite easily. The challenge in staffing is having a superbly presentable team, all arriving on time and happily working throughout the day/night with a smile on their face and great, positive and flexible attitude in their back pack."
"I feel that we have successfully managed to put this mix together and that this is where we stand out from our competition. I take it as my never ending role within Off to Work to continuously motivate the team and to make sure we keep on getting the right people with the right attitude and aptitude on books. Luckily for us our hard work with building this team has paid off and new offtoworkers quickly pick up on our team culture and attitude towards work in hospitality."
A 12 year old Robert sold his first hotdog on his local racecourse in Sweden and he has never really looked back. Every summer was spent working in hospitality either in trendy bars or in top class restaurants. After graduating from Mid Sweden University with a degree in Communications and PR, specialising in events management, Robert worked in marketing and external communications in Sweden and in London.
Prior to joining Off to Work Robert worked as an Events Manager for Inn or Out Ltd looking after blue chip corporate directors, Royals, Presidents and A-class celebrities. Robert has planned, organised and seen through a vast number of top end events ranging from concerts in Hyde Park and Gala Casino Launches in Sweden to Corporate Dinners at the Natural History Museum.
Robert is always happy to provide advice if you need help with organising an event and he often works as an events manager on the field for many of our clients. "The more I can help our clients the more successful they will be which in turn benefits what we do. We’d be stupid to say that we only provide the staff when we have so much experience in house to provide further events support. To work in a partnership is key to successful events management."
Robert joined Off to Work in October 2003 as the General Manager with the intention to add an extra dimension of Catering and Events Management experience to the already dynamic team. He firmly believes in creating win-win zones between all parts in every business situation, and he is extremely service minded and will always go out of his way to provide you with the support you need and beyond. Robert was promoted to Director of Operations in May 2007.
If you have any questions regarding our team, events management, restaurant management or front of house hospitality in general then please do not hesitate to contact Robert for advice or support.
Sergio Vilasoa • Chef Brigade Consultant
Originally from Spain, I have over 12 years of experience working as a chef. During my time in the industry, motivated by my passion for food, I progressed through the ranks with my last position as head chef at a globally recognised hotel in London.
I am an accomplished chef specialising in Mediterranean Cuisine. I have worked in a number of top London restaurants, cooking for a number of high profile clients from Margaert Thatcher at The House of Lords to Victoria Beckham and Kylie Minouge at The Bluebird to name but a few.
As well as experience in both restaurants and hotels, I have also spent 12 months freelancing. My time freelancing has given me the understanding and knowledge needed to offer in-depth support to both clients and chefs.
I have now converted my enthusiasm and passion for food to Chef Brigade Manager at Off to Work. I am committed to offer a high quality service which will continue the already established successful back of house operation.
Katie Pearce • General Manager of Operations (Birmingham & the Midlands)
I graduated in 2001 from the Birmingham College of Food with a Hospitality Management degree and I have since worked in 4 star hotels in both Dublin and Birmingham. In 2003 I joined the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham as a Staffing Officer to gain a ‘back of house’ perspective on event operations and in 2004 was promoted to Recruitment & Deployment Manager for the NEC Group’s city centre venues comprising of The ICC, The NIA, Symphony Hall and Wine Republic.
In August 2007 I joined Off to Work as General Manager for the Birmingham Office with my aim being to ensure that the growing database of clients within the Midlands region receives the best possible hospitality professionals. 2009 saw OTW expand even further with me overseeing the development of more Midlands contacts in Manchester and the North-West. I enjoy working out on events as an events manager or hostess whenever possible, my favourite being a recent ‘Style in the City’ event.
Please do not hesitate to contact me for support or advice for your staffing or events management requirements in the West Midlands.
