Smart Group has appointed Richard Groves (above left) and Andrew Hodgkins as part of its ongoing strategy to expand its outdoor catering and corporate hospitality arms. The appointments bring sector-specific expertise to the organisation and will be instrumental in creating a new structure to support and drive Smart’s future strategy.
Richard Groves, MD, Smart Hospitality
Richard Groves will join as Managing Director of Smart Hospitality, the Group’s catering brand which boasts Michelin-starred Angela Hartnett as Creative Director. His role will be to expand its presence in the fixed venue catering sector, build on its excellent sporting event and Greenfield site catering reputation and exploit latent growth potential, inherent in the established client portfolio. Richard is a highly experienced Commercial Director and Operational Manager, having started his own catering company in 1987 which was later merged with the Ultimate Experience to found Concerto Group in 2000.
His experience will bring a wealth of knowledge to Smart Hospitality and will be vital in positioning them as the market leading caterer, capitalising on their success in delivering IOC and major sponsor hospitality at the London 2012 Olympics, their contracts at leading sporting events including Royal Ascot, and their award wins as they were named Event Caterer of The Year and Grand Prix award winners at the Event Awards 2013 and won the ISES Esprit Award for Best Catered Event.
Andrew Hodgkins, MD, Smart Experiences
Andrew Hodgkins joins the Group as Managing Director of Smart Experiences, the newest brand in the Group providing corporate hospitality experiences at high profile sporting events. Formerly MD of Keith Prowse, Andrew brings with him over 20 years’ experience in the corporate hospitality industry having worked on events including Euro 96, the Rugby World Cup, the Cricket World Cup, 22 Cheltenham Festivals and countless FA Cup Finals, Test Matches and rugby internationals.
Truly exciting prospect
Greg Lawson, CEO of Smart Group, said, “We are delighted that Richard and Andrew are joining the Smart Group team. Their appointments mark the start of a defining new period for Smart and are a hugely important part of our ongoing commitment to providing exquisite experiences for our clients with beautifully crafted catering. Andrew brings with him an impressive track record of delivering fantastic corporate hospitality at prestigious events, which will be invaluable to us. I have known Richard for a long time and have worked closely with him on the Olympics Hospitality Centre contract, and when our ambitions broadened into the corporate hospitality sector, I knew there was no-one better placed to lead us forward than Andrew with his enormous experience as MD of Keith Prowse. The impact these two luminaries in their industries will have on Smart is a truly exciting prospect.”
About The Smart Group
The Smart Group is a dynamic collection of hospitality, catering and event management businesses with over 20 years’ experience; founded and led by CEO, Greg Lawson. Consisting of Smart Hospitality; Smart by Angela Hartnett; Smart Christmas Parties, Smart Live, Smart Battersea Evolution and Smart Experiences, quality, passion and integrity drive all the brands at Smart Group, providing the ultimate experiences across events and hospitality.
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