Your Event & Hospitality QM Team

Jonathan Rhodes

Marketing & Sales Manager

email: j.c.rhodes@qmul.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7882 3868
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7882 7026

Jonathan joined the team in September 2011 as ‘Marketing and Sales Manager’. His focus is to develop and grow the commercial division for the Institution. He says, “There is huge potential here at Queen Mary, the team are passionate about what they do, which is key. My main challenge will be delivering a healthy surplus for the institution in what is undoubtedly the most financially uncertain period in a generation, and perhaps even our lifetime. We have an excellent track record with our customer service and we can improve on this further as we begin to roll out new initiatives and offerings for existing and prospective clients. Our strong position in Higher Education and our unique campus-based location in London provide us with some exciting opportunities.”

Jonathan brings with him 9 years of experience from commercial services in academia, progressing through the operational ranks from Conference Administrator level after graduating from City University London in 2002.

Despite Jonathan's professional career, he studied a music degree at university, majoring in composition uopn graduating. In his spare time he enjoys writing and producing pop music in his home studio, running marathons and half marathons, cycling, fell-walking in the Lake District and loves to spend evenings at home cooking a meal.

Jon is looking forward to collaborating with follow staff members to make a success story.

Debbie Leigh

Catering Supervisor

email: mileendcatering@qmul.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7882 8170
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7882 7055

Debbie joined QM Catering and Hospitality Services in 2004 as a part-time Catering Assistant working in the College’s various outlets and sites. Now a full-time member of staff, Debbie supervises a team of Hospitality Assistants who deliver and serve catering for both internal and commercial events around campus. She makes sure that the correct catering is delivered at the right time and to the right place and liaises with customers to ensure that a high level of customer service is provided at all times.

Outside of work, Debbie spends time with her family and enjoys catching up with relatives in Essex with a summer barbecue and get together on the horizon. She loves reading a good thriller or horror book and enjoys trips to the theatre, particularly musicals – her favourite to date is Chicago and she hopes to see Hairspray this year.

Debbie enjoys working at the College and says ‘the Hospitality team is expanding and working hard to develop a positive and flexible relationship with our customers. QM is a great place to work, with everyday being different, this makes our job challenging, but also extremely rewarding’.

Saran Rattan

Client Experience Coordinator

email: s.rattan@qmul.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7882 8177
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7882 7026

Saran joined Queen Mary Commercial Services in February 2011 as Client Experience Coordinator.  In her new role, Saran’s main focus is to ensure that commercial events on campus run smoothly on the day, attending to any problems which may occur.  It is a very active role which means everyday will be different and challenging.  She says, “Although this role will be challenging, I am really passionate about enhancing the client experience at Queen Mary, helping to ensure that all events are a success. I would like each of our clients 
to leave QM feeling satisfied that we have catered for their needs and this is something that I am really excited about.”

Saran previously worked at Brunel University for three years, after finding a one-year work placement as an Events and Marketing Assistant she organised and promoted a number of careers fairs, skill workshops and a national conference.  She then continued working part-time during her final year of University and also once she graduated with a BSc (Hons) degree in Business and Management in July 2010.

Outside of work Saran is very family orientated and loves spending time with all of her relatives. She is also always organising something! Whether it’s a night out or a weekend getaway with friends, there is never a dull moment. She has also recently learnt how to swim, loves to shop and still finds time to travel the world. Some destinations include India, Canada and the USA, to name but a few. In the future Saran hopes to expand her list even further and explore even more places.

Melissa Moulton

Sales Executive

email: m.moulton@qmul.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7882 8175
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7882 7026

Melissa started working at Queen Mary Commercial Services in 2004, initially as Hospitality and Events Coordinator in the Catering team. She then went on to work in the Residential Accommodation team, but decided to follow her heart and moved to the Conference and Groups Office (now known as the Sales Office) in 2007.

Before joining Queen Mary, Melissa worked in Kitchens Direct head office (in Sales), at GCap Media plc (In Accounts Management), as well as managed catering teams at Arsenal football club and Lincoln’s Inn Field.

Melissa studied Business Management at London Metropolitan University, and for a Postgraduate Diploma in Hospitality Management with ICM. At the moment she is studying towards a Postgraduate Diploma in Sales and Marketing with ISMM.

Outside of work, Melissa is passionate about her voluntary charity work for a local charity and enjoys spending time with her 16 month-old son Jayden James, as well as cooking, baking and reading.

In her new role as Sales Executive Melissa will be focussing on establishing and building positive relationships with our customers. She says “With new venues opening and older facilities being refurbished on campus this year, she believe this a great time to establish strong, mutually beneficial relationships, and she is excited to be part of the team”.

Katy Baron

Sales Executive

email: k.baron@qmul.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7882 8174
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7882 7026

Katy joined Queen Mary Commercial Services in 2005 as Assistant Conference and Group Manager, having previously worked at Kings Conference and Vacation Bureau (Kings College London) for four years. Katy was promoted to her current role of Sales Executive last year in recognition of her experience with clients and operations that she gained contributing to the team in her former role as Conference and Groups Assistant Manager for six years.

Before entering the world of academia, Katy used to work for a large hotel booking agency being responsible for the M&S staff accommodation requirements, as well as for ex British Lion Mike Burton in the Business House section of his Sports and Business Travel company, looking after the travel and hotel arrangements for key accounts.

Katy holds a Bachelor (Hons) degree in Tourism Management with Business Studies, and is currently undertaking an ISMM Diploma in Account Management.

Outside of work, Katy enjoys scuba diving and inline skating and has even taken part in a number of roller marathons here and in Europe. Katy enjoys going out with friends, loves dog-sitting her friend’s puppy Scruffles, and is our “local wine expert”

In her new role as Sales Executive Katy aims to proactively maintain positive relationships with clients she is responsible for, using her experience within the events and groups sector to provide tailored solutions for clients. She says “I am enthusiastic about my new role because I really enjoy working with clients, supporting them and working out solutions to meet their requirements”.

Sue Mussett

Business Development Manager

email: s.e.mussett@qmul.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7882 8173
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7882 7026

Sue joined Queen Mary in 1995 as Conference Coordinator having worked for several years in the catering industry following university. In 2000 she was promoted to Conference and Groups Manager and has recently taken on the challenging new role of Business Development Manager within Commercial Services.

Queen Mary is an exciting place to be at the moment with the Olympics just around the corner and many new developments and refurbishments planned on campus. Sue’s role is to identify new commercial opportunities for the College, developing the already positive relationship that we have with our existing clients and building contacts with new groups and clients.

Sue is currently studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies with the Chartered Management Institute.

Out of work Sue loves to go hill walking and travelling, often combining the two, with trekking holidays to places like Ethiopia, Bolivia and Tibet. To relax after a busy day at work Sue enjoys time at her allotment which has proved to be a great success with a kitchen full of homegrown fruit and vegetables to last though the winter.