Who am I?

Just to tell you a little about Mike Staples and what I do.

I retired from industry in 1986 to become an Hotelier. When I retired I was Managing Director of the energy technology division of Saab-Scania.

My background is that of an accounting marketeer. (Not many of them!!)

My first Hotel (1986) was a Country House Hotel in East Devon. This was sold (1989) due to a dispute with my Partner (he had been my best friend for 20 years)

I then did various Management Consultancy projects until I purchased a Country House Hotel on the outskirts of Torquay, I ran this until 1996.

Since 1997 I have been working in my present capacity.

I am now available to offer advice and assistance as an 'Accounting Marketeer' in providing cash flow forecasts - marketing plans - SWOT analysis, on short or long term contract, to anyone coming into the Leisure business in the South West or anyone who is already here and finding 'things' difficult.

I trade as MS Management – I am self employed (VAT registered) and specialise in Hotels and the Leisure Industry.

My web sites supporting my clients are www.westcountry-hotels.com, www.westcountry-restaurants.com, www.bedandbreakfasthotels.co.uk and www.devon-weddings.co.uk are all a product of my ideas in trying to help various clients.

Whilst the concept of the websites is mine the writing of them was done by Kate Price (www.kateprice.co.uk) – she has written many web sites especially for self catering establishment because she owns one near Umberleigh in North Devon. She also has the website called www.devon-holiday.com which is one of the biggest and best web directories for self catering establishments in Devon.

For the last 5 years I have been responsible for financially running and marketing (it was owned by a London based businessman – who visited 3 times a year) a Luxury Country House Hotel near Barnstaple (even though I live in Torquay). I took this small 11 bedroom Hotel from virtually nothing to make the leading Hotel in North Devon – it has 3 Red Stars – it won the 2002 Johansen Country House Hotel of the year award and has many other accolades. When it was purchased in May 1997 it was turning over under £100,000 a year. When it was sold (for over £1.3 million) on the 6th December 2002, for the 6 months (1st June – 30th November) it turned over in excess of £360000 and was going to achieve £650,000 for the year, which is remarkable for such a small Hotel.

In addition to the Marketing side of my business I also undertake Management Accounting assignments. Whether it be doing Monthly Management Accounts (I have my own SAGE programme) – doing VAT returns or doing weekly and monthly payroll (I have my own Payroll programme) with end of year P35’s etc.

I am at present Chairman of the marketing committee of Exeter Hotels Association and sit on the steering group of the Exeter and Devon Marketing Organisation looking at ways of reducing advertising and marketing costs, by some areas within Devon joining together when promoting tourism.

My charges depend upon whether it is a one off assignment or on an ongoing basis.