Meet The Training Team
Neil Preston • Academy Manager
With 15 years of experience in the hospitality industry my background has covered a number of senior management roles in both front and back of house operations.
Having studied a degree in hospitality at Colchester Institute, graduating with a 2:1, it kick started my career within the world famous Forte hotels. After determination and hard work at 21 I achieved the position of restaurant manager for the Johnston’s restaurant in the ever-busy Strand Palace hotel.
Within my varied career I have had the opportunity to work for two years in Australia as a sponsored catering event manager. Overseeing a host of major incentive events in some terrific locations, including big production events for up to 1,000 guests, I gained a thorough understanding of the versatile nature of the events industry.
In 2001 I joined the prestigious Thames based event company Silver Fleet and as an operational event manager trained and developed the team staff, refining their skills and the standards of a five star operation.
After two years of night school and lots of study I achieved an intermediate CIM certificate, which enabled me to progress to the status of head of marketing with some well-known branded restaurants in London. During this time I was instrumental in the development and opening of, restaurants such as The Real Greek, Clos Maggiore, Big Easy and more recently London’s premier Scottish bar and restaurant Albannach in Trafalgar Square.
Having joined Off to Work at the beginning of summer 2009 my experience, knowledge and positive approach brings fervour to the training. With the firm belief in putting quality back in to the industry, I have assisted in the development of the training programs. In addition I have established partnerships with a range of high-end London restaurants, bars and venues from which our students benefit for future career development.
Andrew Jones • Training Manager
I first came across Off to Work in Birmingham when searching for a job on my summer vacation from University in 2006; little did I know I’d still be with the company in 2011! Prior to Off to Work I had worked for a popular Restaurant/Wine Bar chain, a private events company and an Independent Bar in Birmingham.
I continued to work on the field in various roles at a wide range of amazing events and in 2008 I joined the Birmingham office team on a part-time basis as an operations assistant. Since then I have graduated and returned to the company and have been involved in many departments within Off to Work including operations, recruitment and for last year I have been based in London running our Casual Assessment days and other courses in our Training Academy. I still love going out meeting staff and clients and getting involved in all the incredible events that we are lucky to be involved with.
Charlene Musgrave • Training Academy Administrator
In the process of getting my MA in Media and Communication I began to do part time work in hospitality, which opened the doors to the different and exciting world of events. Working in the field led me after graduation into staffing and eventually recruitment with Off to Work in 2009. I am now part of the Academy making sure all courses run smoothly. I love the constant contact with students and helping in the maintenance of high standards within the industry.
I have worked in a range of roles in the hospitality industry for the last 13 years.
Starting out as a Cocktail bartender and working my way up the chain to venue manager, I spent time working in a variety of environments including live music venues, fine dining restaurants, style bars and nightclubs in London and in Leeds. During my time in Leeds I worked to champion bringing high quality cocktails to the high street chains and had this menu rolled out across multiple venues across the country.
I have developed cocktail menus for over 60 bars across the country and provide training at numerous venues, where I aim to bring high quality and passion to the playing field.
Currently teaching our Cocktail, Barista and Licensing law courses at the Off to Work Academy, I am responsible for ensuring our new staff have a good grip on beverage service.
I can often be found out on the field as well regularly working as a catering or beverage manager and also getting involved as often as possible with our bar and cocktail jobs. Recent roles include: Restaurant manager at the George Cohen fine dinning restaurant, Beverage manager for the FA club suite at Wembley stadium, and running cocktail bars for a diverse range of clients.
Alison Howard • Training Consultant
I originally trained as a medical microbiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. After working on several overseas projects focussing on hand hygiene, I developed an interest in infection control in the catering environment. An approved tutor with the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, I teach food hygiene and nutrition for all, from food handlers through to management.
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.
