Robert Penfold
Head of Client Services
Born in Bristol and raised in Yorkshire, Robert began his
career as a management trainee with Trust House Forte Hotels,
learning just about every aspect of hotel management.
In time, feeling the need to obtain more formal qualifications
in his spare time, he opted for the more regular working pattern
afforded by a post with West Yorkshire Police as an area catering
manager, covering 17 sites across the county. Part of this role
involved putting together tenders, twice winning the in-house
catering contract in competition against the private sector.
Robert found his early hotel experience rewarding, and
believes that working in the conference and exhibition industry can
be likened to running a large hotel, albeit without beds. It was
this desire to immerse himself once again in a role that was
focused on customer care, and the maintenance of high standards,
that drew Robert to the Harrogate International Centre in
1990.
With HIC, Robert has overseen the catering and bars contract,
managed front of house services, and more recently, managed the
exhibition services offered by Hall Q, dealing in particular with
customer service and quality issues. Under the HIC Customer Care
agenda Robert is involved with community engagement work where, for
instance, local schools and colleges benefit from showrounds
tailored to meet the needs of differing academic curriculum. Robert
has also enjoyed working with local groups representing disabled
people to ensure that HIC's venues all fully meet their
needs.
When not working, Robert loves walking, cooking, eating out
and works as a volunteer fund-raiser for local community
groups.
