We have strengthened our award-winning team and service with the appointment of Tony Howard as Director of Conferences, Food and Retail, in what is a significant new role at the University of Warwick.

Having spent more than five years as Director of Food & Retail Strategy at the University, Tony’s new position will see him oversee two areas of the Campus and Commercial Service Group (CCSG). Managing the strategic direction of both the University’s food & retail and conference services, Tony will develop new commercial activity by working with businesses across the University to help increase growth and revenue across Warwick Conferences.

Last year, we generated £25 million in revenue - money which is reinvested back into teaching and research of the University. Tony will use his background in developing commercial strategies to continue the growth of the business.

We boast 300 dynamic event spaces across four training and conference venues, as well as a large-scale Conference Park that can host up to 1,200 delegates. Tony will draw on his significant international business expertise and financial acumen to develop, refresh and integrate the range of services, facilities and products offered at Warwick Conferences.

Joining the Board of Directors at the University, Tony will use his experience of working with leading brands, such as Starbucks, Whitbread Group and Ferrari, to oversee the strategic direction of both the Conferences and Food & Retail entities.

Tony commented:

This is an exciting time to be part of Warwick Conferences and develop a new strategy to build on the excellent foundations already in place. I will be driving the business forwards, meaning that the Conferences can help invest even more money back into the University’s world leading teaching, learning and research.”

The appointment continues our development as a leading facility in the East Midlands. We were rewarded for our customer service, meeting room design and catering concepts at the National Venue Awards, winning in the ‘Best Venue Chain or Group’ category, earlier this year.