Geoff Barbaro
My CV, Thoughts and Information
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Delaware North

 

Delaware North Companies International

I was Strategic Communications Manager for Delaware North

I reported to the Director, Marketing & Strategic Growth (International) and the Managing Director. I held this position from May 2007 until January 2010.  Please scroll down for information about Delaware North, my responsibilities and some of our achievements during this time.

 
 
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About Delaware North Companies International

Delaware North Companies International is a subsidiary of the Forbes 200 Private Multinational Foodservice and Hospitality organisation, Delaware North Companies Limited. It looked after all growth, marketing, opportunities and operations outside of the Americas, and oversaw subsidiaries in the UK and Australia/New Zealand.

Delaware North is a global company providing foodservice and hospitality at major venues around the world, including sports stadiums, airports and travel centres, tourist destinations, cultural centres and parks and resorts. At the time I was there, Delaware North provided services at:

  • In the UK: Wembley Stadium; Emirates Stadium (Arsenal FC, London); Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh Airports; Euston Railway Station; Pride Park Stadium (Derby County FC); and other locations
  • In Australia: Melbourne Park; Etihad Stadium (Melbourne); All Australian capital city Airports; Sovereign Hill; Lizard Island, Heron Island, Wilson Island, Kings Canyon and El Questro Resorts; Sydney Central Railway Station; Melbourne Zoo; Melbourne Botanic Gardens; the WACA Sports stadium; and other locations
  • In New Zealand: Wellington Airport; and Vector Arena (Auckland, now Spark Arena)
 
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My role

I worked with the senior management teams of the International, UK and Australia/New Zealand subsidiaries and facilitated the strategy development process for all subsidiaries during 2008, working with the Director, Marketing & Strategic Growth to develop the approved Delaware North Companies International Strategy Plan 2009 - 20013 and to design and implement the reporting systems. I was also responsible for all communications outside of the Americas for Delaware North.

Responsibilities

  • Facilitation and development of strategic, business and action plans for 3 subsidiaries, International, UK and Australia/NZ
  • Monitoring performance against the strategic, business and action plans and monthly reporting by responsible executives
  • Strategic, marketing, stakeholder and employee communications outside of North America, including acting as spokesperson and media contact
  • Research, writing, editing and preparation of bid and tender documentation
  • Environmental market entry research and reports for new regional and international markets
  • Counsel on strategy, business planning and communications
  • Issues management and media relations
  • Change communications and planning

I participated in the leadership development program for senior employees outside of the Executive management teams

 
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Achievements

Strategy Thinking and Planning

  • Facilitated and developed the Delaware North Companies International, UK and Australia/New Zealand Strategic Plans 2009 – 2013 (See Presentation)
  • Created and implemented the Strategic Plan reporting and accountability systems for all 3 subsidiaries
  • Facilitated strategy development and reporting meetings all Delaware North Companies International and Australia/NZ Executive team meetings, and participated in UK Executive team meetings on strategy
  • Conducted and presented the research and environmental analysis for the Delaware North Companies International Strategic Plan, including identification of the likelihood of an economic downturn and recommendations for planning (prior to the GFC)
  • Led and presented the findings of the Environmental Issues Strategy Thinking Group for the strategic planning process to research potential environmental impacts on operations, the potential carbon reduction schemes and the prospects for implementing the GreenPath program or an equivalent designed for Australia/NZ requirements
  • Wrote the risk management plan for the Village Catering for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games

Growth Strategy and Business Development

  • Researched and presented business cases and recommendations for market entry for Asian and other markets, including specific analysis for opportunities in Singapore, India, Malaysia, the UAE and Ireland
  • Successful tenders for opportunities at London Gatwick Airport, Heathrow Airport, Edinburgh Airport (Scotland), Euston Railway Station, Pride Park Stadium (Derby County Football Club) and for the XIX Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010
  • Member of the Delaware North team that successfully negotiated and completed the due diligence for the acquisition of five Australian resorts to complete market entry into a new sector for the International business

Communications and Marketing

  • Drafted communications for the acquisition of five Australian resort properties and the establishment of the new Delaware North Australia Parks & Resorts subsidiary of DNC International
  • Developed and implemented the corporate communication, e-business and e-communication plans, including Intranet and Internet sites and the introduction of Twitter and other social media
  • Drafted, wrote and edited the tenders for market entry into the UK Travel Hospitality sector, which was achieved at Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh Airports and Euston Railway Station
  • Wrote the Executive story and the non-finance sections of the bid for the new Lansdowne Road Stadium in Dublin and edited the document
  • Coordinated, wrote and edited the successful tender bid for Pride Park Stadium (UK)
  • Wrote Expressions of Interest for British libraries and for the Imperial War Museum
  • Established the Delaware North (Australia) Town Halls concept and created the Delaware North UK internal communications plan
  • Wrote and edited marketing materials, and conference and banqueting sales materials, for Wembley Stadium and the Delaware North Companies International Year in Review
  • Created and developed the marketing, communication and launch programs for the new Delaware North Culinary Wellbeing program to meet current and future demand for lighter, healthier foods at corporate events, sports stadiums and airports, launched in 2008 in Australia and 2009 in the UK, and subsequently adopted in American operations (See Launch Invitation and Launch Menu)
  • Planned and successfully implemented launches of the Heart Foundation Tick approved meals at the 2008 Australian Open (first sports stadium) and Etihad Stadium (Melbourne, 2008)
  • Designed and implemented communications for the GuestPath Training Program

Change Management and Communications

  • Created and implemented the change communications for the Delaware North Companies International Strategic Plan 2009 – 2013
  • Created communications for staff at the resorts acquired by Delaware North in 2009, both before and after acquisition, with minimal staff departure post acquisition
  • Led and participated in multi-disciplinary strategy and project teams, including crisis and issues planning, e-business, Culinary Wellbeing, GuestPath for Australia/NZ and e-communications
  • Delivered sessions for the GuestPath staff training program