Acorn Winner 2006: Warren Roodt

Warren Roodt
Age: 26
Position: Operations manager, Red Snapper Events, London

Career to date… Following a stint with an events company in New Zealand, South-African born Roodt started work with the then start-up company Red Snapper Events in 2003. In his first year, the company catered for London Fashion Week and has since planned events for members of the Royal Family, Chelsea Football Club and fashion designer Tom Ford.

Why is he a winner? Roodt has played an important role in the success of Red Snapper Events, through increased sales and by ensuring the service standards. He now regularly manages 200 staff at an event, and motivates and rewards his staff well. In 2005, he was involved in negotiating a one-month contract between Billingsgate and a party supplier, a deal that meant an additional 25,000 covers had to be fed. It also meant that the company had to move to bigger premises.

He is an excellent mentor for the company's placement students, helping them to grow and flourish, and has secured an excellent relationship with Manchester Metropolitan University. He also gives lectures on food and beverage service at Westminster University.

Roodt has, in addition, been instrumental in developing Red Snapper's environmental policy, with the implementation of a strict glass recycling policy, and has embraced the concept of cost control and getting the best from suppliers.