1. Curriculum Vitae
Richard William Toptalo
“Pooh Corner”, Osborne Road, Kingsdown, Deal, Kent CT14 8BT
01304 373707 (home)
07772947613 (mobile)
Personal Profile
My career to date has been varied and rewarding. I enjoy the challenge presented
by all elements of management – people, finance, and information. It is the
successful combination of these elements that bring achievement and success in
business.
Whether managing hotel services on board ship, running a public house or
managing the client relationship on a major outsourcing project, I believe that
service is another of the key business drivers.
. I have excellent organisational ability.
. I am able to work to and meet deadlines.
. I have budget management experience.
. My experience in managing people is extensive.
From January 2007
After I took early retirement in September 2006 I was invited back by the MD, Mr
John McEwan, to assist in the mobilisation of new contract wins on a Consultancy
basis.
These mobilisation contracts ran for 4 + months and meant staying away from
home, and on the odd occasion I was able to get home for a weekend.
In January 07 to mid April 07 I was asked to help mobilise a new contract win for
Avenance (Elior UK) from the MOD in the South West Area on a Consultancy basis.
This encompassed presentations to “very” Senior Officers within the MOD
introducing them to the new service offers and the “value for money” ethos that
Avenance (Elior UK) proposed for the “guys on the ground”.
I was responsible, as part of the mobilisation team, for setting up new vending,
retail and bar offers on this large and prestigious contract win from the MOD.
It was also part of my remit to help introduce and train the new management
team, and staff members on the Avenance (Elior UK) budgets.
I was also invited back to assist in the mobilisation of two more large contracts,
one in 2008 in Norfolk and another in 2009 in Kent both these contracts were
similar to the above mobilisation.
I was also invited in 2010 to look at a contract in Glasgow at the SECC (Scotish
Exhibition and Conference Centre) which was at the time not to the clients
satisfaction, and experiencing a lot of issues.

2. I flew up for a 6 week period during which time the contract was turned round to
the clients satisfaction.
I have been asked back on several occasions during 2007 thru to 2010 to assist with
internal contract issues to ensure contract compliance during these visits.
On one occasion I was working on a consultancy basis for 4 months on a H&S issue,
and this contract covered 4 counties which proved challenging, however, it was
completed to the Contract Directors satisfaction.
Career History
General Manager
Avenance (Elior UK) Defence Services
April 1st
2006 to End September 2006.
This is the same contract as the previous contract, but now operated by Avenance
(Elior UK) when it was lost by Sodexho during the re-tendering process.
My line manager stayed with Sodexho, so I was appointed the General Manager of
this new and larger contract.
As the General Manager I was responsible for the new contract which had 3 large
Military (MOD) Sites situated in Dover, Folkestone, Maidstone, and 20 T.A Centres
within the Kent area.
This new contract now incorporates a new and full Retail service offer on the 3
larger Military (MOD) sites to cover retail shops, vending, and bar facilities.
I then decided to take early retirement in September 06 and resigned from the
post.
Please see above my career from September 2006 -
Deputy Group Contract Manager.
Sodexho Defence Services
1997- to 2006 (end March)
• Management of the client relationship.
• Management of service managers within the contract, ensuring effective
communication and achievement of objectives.
• Ensuring that all staff on the contract are fully trained to meet legislative
requirements.
Prior to my role as the Deputy Group Manager I was the General Services Manager
and responsible for the Short Term Camps at 5 location spread over two counties
from 1997 to 2003.
I had a core staff of 50 during the quiet periods, and during the Short Term Camp
periods this increased to some 150 staff.

3. During the period September 03 to end January 04, I was responsible for six
outsourced contracts let by the USAF to Sodexho. The contracts cover a range of
services, carpet cleaning, office/accommodation cleaning, window cleaning, floor
maintenance, waste removal and schools cleaning/maintenance at 3 major USAF
bases in Suffolk. I was responsible for ensuring the smooth transition of the services
to Sodexho and on going effective delivery to meet contract requirements. I would
then hand the contract over to the newly appointed Group Contract Manager when
he or she was appointed.
General Manager
Sandwich Sports & Leisure Centre
1995 to 1997
• Day to day management of the leisure centre services and staff.
• Liaison with the Local Authority.
• Budget control, programme planning and function planning.
• Health & Safety responsibilities.
Food & Beverage Manager/Assistant Manager
Tides & Dover Leisure Complexes
1989 to 1995
• Day to day management of all leisure facilities and catering staff.
• Responsibility for staff training, cost and price control.
• Responsibility for Health & Safety.
Public House Tenant
1988 to 1989
Customer Services Manager
Tesco Superstore, Folkestone.
1987 to 1988
• Customer liaison and effective resolution of queries and complaints.
Hotel Services Manager
P&O European Ferries
1970 to 1987
• Managing a team of 60 to 100 catering staff on board ship.
• Deployment of staff to various sales points on board.
• Financial responsibility for foreign exchange service.
• Passenger liaison.
Assistant Engineering Technician
Seaspeed Hovercraft
1965 to 1970
Qualifications & Skills
Professional Qualifications

4. • MHCIMA Member of the Hotel Catering International Management Association.
• RIPHH Royal Institute of Public Health and Hygiene.
• IOSH Institute of Safety and Health.
• IIRSM International Institute of Risk and Safety Management.
• IIP Investors in People Assessor (internal & external)
Technical Skills
• Proficient in Microsoft application – Word, Excel.
• Company trainer in Health and Safety.
• Full, clean driving license.
Training
• Primary Management (now Sodexho)
- GroupTrainer Certificate.
- Training for Commercial Success.
- People Management
- Job Instruction Communication.
- Hotel Management
- Managing Absence.
- Disciplinary Procedures and the Law.
- Discipline in Employment
- Effective Discipline for Managers.
- Management Development Programme for Supervisory and Management
Staff.
Personal Details
Date of birth: 17 May 1949
Nationality: British
Marital status: Married
Interests: Travel, cooking, gardening, scuba diving, golf.