| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 08/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 81 |
| Copyright: Other |
meetthe
MD
This week: Peter Raven, Renowned Holiday Villages
Age: 44
THE enduring image of British holiday parks can probably be summed up by the phrase Hi-De-Hi! The traditional wake-up call – and the albatross round the necks of these traditional centres – reflects a basic misunderstanding of what this type of holiday really has to offer.Far from being an outmoded, old-fashioned experience, the best of these holidays represents extraordinary value, combined with real quality, of a standard which would surprise many who have never visited one but are confident they would know what to expect if they did.
I have a great affinity for this uniquely British experience, having spent the past 20 years championing its rightful place in our culture. Far from fading away as, sadly, so much of our national heritage seems to do, the village holiday is moving confidently into the 21st century.
I came into this business purely by accident. I was a cynic, curious to find out why holiday villages still existed in a world where travel to every corner of the globe was becoming ever easier and more affordable. The simple answer, I discovered, was fun – an element missing from most peoples’ increasingly stressful daily lives. Holiday villages have the seemingly magical ability to create an atmosphere which is all about fun, with staff and guests alike coming together to let their hair down and have a ball.
After school, I trained as an accountant which gave me a solid business grounding. In 1978, I took off for Europe with a group of friends. In those days, travelling for its own sake was frowned on when it meant giving up a steady job but I was never cut out to be a career accountant and the experience and self-confidence I gained have proved invaluable. I will certainly encourage my children to do the same.
On my return, I was determined to find a job I would really enjoy. During a game of cricket, I met a man who told me enthusiastically about his plans to open a new bingo hall. I was sure I knew what bingo halls were all about – sad old ladies losing their rent money. There are some amazing parallels between bingo halls (or social clubs as they prefer to be called) and holiday villages (never, of course, holiday camps). Both suffer from preconceptions dating back to the ’50s and, despite their enduring popularity with their fans, suffer from a dowdy, old-fashioned image.
The man worked for Ladbroke Social Clubs and persuaded me to visit his new premises. Having had my previous cynicism well and truly checked, I started work for him the same week as a trainee manager. We promoted holidays to our guests on behalf of Ladbroke Holiday Centres and I then moved to the Holidays Division as regional sales manager for Ladbroke Holidays in the Midlands. However, I soon started to miss the buzz of operational management.
I persuaded Ladbroke to send me to Cayton Bay Holiday Centre in Scarborough as general manager. There, I found my niche. The guests were there with the sole aim of having a good time and the atmosphere was wonderful. Interestingly, the main ballroom at Cayton Bay was called the Rendezvous Club and was used as the nightclub in the award-winning film Little Voice.
In 1989, Ladbroke Holidays Division was bought by Mecca and I moved south to Sinah Warren on Hayling Island. It is a beautiful location and was my first experience of working at a catered centre, providing 600 meals three times a day to guests. After two years, I was asked to combine two villages into one at Lyme Bay in Seaton, Devon, where I still live today.
Last year, RJ Bown, a privately owned company, bought Lyme Bay along with Mill Rythe on Haying Island and Harcourt Sands on the Isle of Wight from Rank’s Haven Holidays. Renowned Holiday Villages came into being. I was asked to become MD of the new company and it has been the best move of my career. I have been able to hand-pick my team and all have risen wonderfully to the challenge. Staff morale is at an all-time high and that enthusiasm translates into a first-rate service to our guests.
CURRICULUM VITAE
1978: graduated from Leicester University with ACCA Foundation ACB Professional part 1.
MY TOP TIPS
l Surround yourself with talent. Friendly faces may create a happy workplace but talent drives businesses forward
* Everyone talks about being part of a team – always remember there are plenty of bad teams out there. Make sure all your players warrant their place in the starting line-up.
* Focus on the strengths of each individual and cultivate them. The odds are that they are good at certain jobs because they enjoy them. Time spent overcoming weaknesses is largely ineffective.
* Trust your key players to deliver. Seeing one of your team produce something that is way beyond your expectations is one of the unique buzzes of management.