Sales manager, Marion Arnold, has taken responsibility for business development within the independent education sector.
Marion has worked closely with Andrew Wilson on business development for the past ten years, supporting Wilson Vale’s growth across both the B&I and education fields.
With independent schools and colleges now her core target market, she is building on the many long-standing relationships she already has with prospective and existing clients within this niche sector to grow this side of the business further.
Commenting on the new role, Andrew Wilson, co-founder and managing director of Wilson Vale, said: “Many of the leading independent school contracts in our portfolio to date are there because of Marion’s sensitive and honest approach to relationship building. She understands the independent schools sector and the very specific challenges and needs of bursars and heads. She is a familiar face and a highly respected sales professional within this niche sector.”
Independent schools and colleges now account for 30% of Wilson Vale’s business, with leading names such as Priory School in Edgbaston, Mount School in York and Hipperholme Grammar School in Halifax.
Marion said: “I really enjoy working with the education sector and am very excited to have this opportunity to focus on this niche market.”
The new role comes hand-in-hand with news of Marion landing another independent school contract, Red House School, in Stockton on Tees in the north east of England. Worth £200k in annual turnover, the new contract started in mid-June.
Alex Taylor, headmaster of Red House School, said: “Wilson Vale were appointed as caterers to Red House School following a competitive tendering process. The success of their bid was down to a thorough understanding of the school’s needs and expectations. We are very much looking forward to working with Wilson Vale and developing our catering provision across the school.”
