James Street
Age: 28
Position: Deputy general manager, All Leisure, Ricoh Arena, Coventry
Career to date...
In only six years, Street has progressed from being a barman to becoming All Leisure's deputy general manager at the £113m Ricoh Arena, the brand new home of Coventry City Football Club.
Before he joined the Ricoh Arena in 2005, he was the mobilisation manager for All Leisure's Chelsea Football Club contract, overseeing conference, banqueting and match-day catering. Before All Leisure, he worked at the Slough Windsor Marriott and Aurora hotels in Gatwick.
Why is he a winner?
He has shown decision-making abilities normally expected of someone with far more experience, taking responsibility for all aspects of contract mobilisation, from recruitment to catering standards and even the design of the hotel bedrooms. This has included overseeing the development of furniture that allows hotel rooms to be turned into executive boxes in only five minutes.
When the Ricoh Arena's building programme overran by three months, a situation beyond his control, Street also proved he was able to cope with high-pressure challenges. In just 72 hours, he smoothly co-ordinated some 75,000 loose items being brought into the stadium, allowing the Arena to open on time. Street was also in charge of the fit-out budget, worth some £5m.
Street also oversaw the recruitment of staff and is now responsible for 35 permanent team members and 400 temporary staff. He still recruits students from both Henley and City Colleges, selling the benefits of the hospitality and catering industry, and with the arena in a regeneration zone, Street has also organised community recruitment days.