Simon Dobson

Name: Simon Dobson<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>

Date of birth: 28/10/67

Job title: Managing director, Sodexho Prestige

Location: Alperton, Middlesex

First job in hospitality: Washing dishes and generally learning the trade in his parents' hotel on the Isle of Wight

Route to current job: Dobson decided not to pursue formal qualifications, but by 1985 he had tried his hand at a variety of jobs in the London restaurant business, working his way up from commis waiter to chef de rang, as well as a spell in retail with Safeway. In October of that year he joined Trusthouse Forte hotels as a sommelier. He left the company in October 1989 having reached the position of restaurant manager in one of the group's hotels.

Dobson's next move defined his career. He joined contract caterer Ring & Brymer as a casual manager, biding his time until a full-time position became available. This happened in September 1992 when he joined the full-time team at Sandown Racecourse as junior assistant manager, working within the banqueting department and running the public catering on exhibition and race days.

It was a time of rapid change, mainly because the company was taken over by the acquisition-hungry Gardner Merchant. In 1992, Dobson became general manager of Kempton Park at a time when it was losing money.

He turned the business around to beat budget in the second year and was sent up to the ailing Newcastle Racecourse to do the same thing there. Next on the list was Ewood Park, home to Blackburn Rovers Football Club, where he put a failing relationship with the client back on track.

A career change in October 1996, when Dobson decided to run the family business, a country house hotel on the West coast of Scotland, was short lived. By January 1998, he was back at Gardner Merchant, this time as events manager for Gilmour & Pether where he had specific responsibility for Silverstone race track.

A restructure of the business saw his responsibilities increase to Lords, the NAC Stoneleigh and United Racecourses, and by May 2000, Dobson was operations director of Sodexho Prestige looking after operations in the North of England.

In July 2001, Dobson was made deputy managing director and senior operations director. In October 2001, at the age of 33, he was promoted to managing director.

Main responsibilities

What do you enjoy most about your job? "At the end of every month we gather on a Wednesday evening and finalise our management accounts process, I enjoy nothing more than pressing the final button and seeing that our Forecast has been delivered."

What do you dislike most about your job? "Not having enough time with my family"

What is your next move? "I need to make sure I deliver what I have promised - retain contracts and add new business"

What is your ultimate career goal? "I guess I need to get on the chief executive's executive team for Sodexho UK. I have a lot to prove before then, though."