Shannon Craig Durrant

A hospitality expert with an entrepreneurial outlook, I deeply understanding people, patterns and behaviour. I have a proven track record of success, am keenly financially astute and an operations specialist, ready to lead you teams and grow your business.

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Experience -

Founder

Shannon Craig Durrant Hospitality – Hospitality Consultancy

Alongside my contract for Bawsey country park I have recently set up a hospitality solutions company. Taking my skill set and reaching out to local businesses. In order to expanding my network and develop skills. The principle service of the business is to take core principles and communicate them effectively to stakeholders, and leave them with procedure that ensure success

Setting systems and training managers, trouble shooting, increasing NSP, ERP installation, upscaling, increase profits, resolve issues, market analysis, acquire new sites, funding options, KPI scaffolding, operations consultancy, pro-active financial planning and reporting.

2025-

Head of Hospitiality

Bawsey Country Park – Multi-Site, ERP, Op’s.

As part of a pivot from independent ownership I am contracted to Bawsey country park. My role is general oversight of hospitality across all sites. In practice this has required a root and branch overhaul of the department. Installing management systems to dampen low staff training and high turnover, proactive op’s/financial reporting and business strategy to return the company to profit.

Install marketing strategy, lead AI integration, troubleshoot failed upscaling and return to growth, install KPI framework, manager training, bring new products to market, install financial accounting scaffolding, lead and troubleshoot environmental heath attainment, create company staff handbook, lead on spec’s, introduce ERP modules, hire and training, create business plan/investment strategy, stakeholder liaison and accountability, short term contract, open new site, B2B account lead (water park/escape room/quad bike hire/laser quest), lead creation, negotiations, compliance.

2025-

Managing Director

The Rose and Crown Harpley, Elevate Catering, Norfolk Pie & Mash Co., The Hunger Hut and Ancho’s Kitchen

In 2016 I began the working to take the lease of a under preforming, wet led public house in North Norfolk. The aim of the project was to insert a food-led reputation, expand the footprint of the site, use brand strength to diversify revenue streams and reach the businesses potential. Something I achieved over the course of the next 9 years. As the restaurant reached capacity booking I invested in increasing covers, overhauling and extending the production areas and increased staff base. Over the course of 9 years the business attained multiple awards, generated 15% net profit and reached 950K turnover pa. A successful business diversification program led to multiple successful ventures on and off site. With the some of the highest customer focused metrics in our county, the now Gasto-pub was consistently busy and returning profits through some of the hardest years in hospitality recently. As my original lease pulled towards its end the freehold was sold, at this point I negotiated an exit from the business. With potential maximised at the site and low future growth forecast, coupled with the macro-economic circumstances surrounding hospitality, I decided to look for a new challenge within the business environment knowing I could leave the project, a job well done.

5 full time chefs, 1 GM, 20+ staff overall, lease negotiations, brand strength/trust, market analysis, full financial control, marketing vision, business planning, forecasting and projection, HR, ERP, adaptive planning, resourcing, funding cycle management, outstanding NPS management, 400% Growth, Start-Up, Marketing, P&L, ERP, Multi-Site, Branding & Award Winning.

2016-2025

Non-Exec Director Hospitality

Zambona Farms (Zambia)

International, B2B lead, skill set diversification into agriculture, ground-up planning and building of lodge site with 12 villas, project manager, stakeholder accountability, resourcing and budget control, forecast and projection management, business strategy, manager training,

2014-2016

Operations Manager Hospitality

Somerleyton Estate

Open 3 sites simultaneously, manager training, went onto multi award success, daily operations lead across all sites, KPI attainment, service structure and workflow install, forecast and attainment, board accountability, H&S install and lead, country estate with 3 venues formerly leased out now taken back in-house. Wedding venue, a restaurant and gastro pub

2013-2014

Opening General Manager

Marriott’s Warehouse

Project Lead, ERP, P&L, HR and Forecasting.

Ground-up project manager, install financial KPI’s, install NPS scheme and customer metric goals, award winning, market beating growth reaching 30k pw, full HR management, H&S lead, create and install ERP modules, accountable directly to investors, launch to investor goals reached 1^st quarter, accounting set up and accountability, hire and train new team and managers, resource planning and budget control.

2011-2013

Previous Experience Snapshop

Flat house Norwich(GM/Consultant)(consultant contract): trouble shooting business, product launch, deep overhaul of products/service

The three swallows (Head chef/consultant)(consultant contract): return business to profit, overall in charge of hospitality, set spec’s, reached investor goals within 2nd quarter.

Awards

0 +

Across multiple disciplines from well known organisations

Growth

0 %

As the MD at an award winning gasto-pub

Years

Hospitality experience across multiple continents

Founder Exit

Successfully exiting a start-up as a founder in 2025

Proven Skills & Attributes

ERP, P&L, EDBITDA, Market Analysis, Project Design & Implementation, Growth Specialist, Consultancy, Forecasting, Marketing/Branding, International Experience, Multi-site Management, MD Level Analysis, NPS attainment, Stakeholder & Investment Accountability,
Adaptive Planning & Leadership, Business Strategy, Market Innovation, Communications,
Contract Negotiator, Excellent Team Building & Talent Retention, Site Acquisition. sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

What's Next

An ambitious company, hospitality adjacent that is people centric, requires an entrepreneurial
mindset, with progression to or attaining C.O.O within 5 years.

What to Expect

An innovator with proven success, ready to make difficult decisions in dynamic environments. A
relentless operations expert, quick to learn, hard working and dedicated to driving change. An
enthusiastic executive, at home in the trenches and the boardroom. A loyal and trusted leader, a
safe pair of hands primed to create impact and drive sustainable growth.

Let's Work Together.

Thanks for considering working with me, feel free to connect or contact me using any of the information here.

Based in Norfolk – Open to commuting with midweek stopovers, with the ability to travel regularly at short notice for the right role that pushes development.