partner & managing director
JAMES HACON
BRITISH BASED, GLOBALLY EXPERIENCED & CONNECTED
I help grow hospitality brands through structured strategic development, supported by insightful research, customer journey mapping and thought-invoking stakeholder engagement.
With a background in operations, development and marketing, both brand and agency side, I bring a unique set of skills and an outstanding understanding of the hospitality sector.
This experience has been gained working with more than 50 companies in 10 countries; Australia, France, Germany, Malaysia, New Zealand, Spain, Thailand, UAE, UK and USA.
I feel very privileged to be given a platform to share my opinion and industry insight as a regular contributor to industry and consumer publications and regular speaking engagements.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Here are a selection of projects James has worked on during his career, as a consultant, with a brand or agency;
Acquisition Due Diligence
Client: US Investment Fund
Brand and marketplace due diligence for the £85m acquisition of a large UK restaurant operator by a US Investment Fund. Analysing and reporting on the brand's position in the market, customer perception, quality of proposition & central team structure.
F&B Marketplace Analysis
Client: International Hotel Group (5,000 + properties)
Delivered a major food and beverage marketplace trends report for one of the largest hotel groups in the world, supporting their strategy development and subsequent brand partnership deals.
International Strategy Development
Client: FMCG brand developing a QSR concept
Supporting the development of an international expansion strategy, gaining broadest key stakeholder buy-in to defining the brand and documenting the brand and operational standards.
Brand Portfolio Development
Client: Multi-Concept Restaurant Group (20+ Site)
Developing the strategy for a multi-concept restaurant group, defining each brand and it's place in the marketplace before setting about refining the product, proposition, people and promotional strategies.
5 Year Strategy Facilitation
Client: FTSE 250 Pub Group
Strategy facilitation for a major pub group to define their 5 year strategy; marketplace analysis, inspiration tours, development workshops & business wide communication.
Brand & Product Development
Client: Independent Luxury Lodge
Working with the owner of an award-winning luxury lodge to develop the brand and product, leading to significant increase in occupancy.
Conceptualisation of Kids Proposition
Client: Casual Dining Brand (10 sites)
Developed an award-winning insight-based children's dining proposition, culminating in a brand partnership with National Geographic Kids. Category sales increased by 549%.
Takeaway Strategy
Client: International Restaurant Brand (230 UK Sites)
Developing a takeaway strategy with key stakeholders & supported proposition development, defining bundles, packaging, marketing & routes to market.
Brand Repositioning
Client: FMCG Brand with 100+ Hospitality Outlets
Working with the UK franchisee of a large multi-national FMCG brand supporting the translation of new international brand standards to the UK through creation of a new lifestyle-focused visual identity.
One Customer Viewpoint Development
Client: Multi-Concept Restaurant Group (20+ Site)
Developing a strategy to integrate 11 systems into a one-customer viewpoint CRM, with significant segmentation triggering automated loyalty, enhanced targeting for email campaigns, outbound call lists generation, VIP management & customer intelligence.
Set-up of Central Reservations
Client: Multi-Concept Restaurant Group (20+ Site)
Setting up a central reservations team, increasing inbound group call handling from 34% to 91% and initiating outbound calling. Delivering the change programme with systems, internal communication & reporting.
Launch of Hotel & Restaurant Group
Client: Multi-Site Hospitality Group (3 Sites)
Pre-opening & operational leadership of a boutique hotel & two restaurant outlets from launch to sale. Winner of multiple national awards including Best New Hotel in New Zealand & being listed as a Top 50 Restaurant.
SPEAKER
James Hacon is one of the most prolific hospitality speakers and emcees, with an upbeat style and a special ability to inspire an audience.
He has spoken at dozens of high-profile events across the globe, including;
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Global Restaurant Investment Forums Dubai, London, Amsterdam & Riyadh
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Propel Conferences & Study Tours London, Chicago, New York & Las Vegas
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Restaurant Marketer & Innovator London, Dublin, Tallinn, Dubai & Amsterdam
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European Foodservice Summit Zurich
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UK Hospitality Conferences London & Manchester
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MAPIC Food Milan
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Marco Pierre White Annual Conference Bristol
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eTourism Summit San Francisco
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Innovation in Brand Strategy Conference Amsterdam
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Bahrain Restaurant & Hospitality Forum Manama
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Social Media Tourism Symposium Sydney
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NZ Restaurant & Bar Conference Auckland
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The Annual Hotel Conference Manchester
IN THE MEDIA
