Acorn Winner 2006: Nils Braude

Nils Braude
Age: 30
Position: General manager, All Leisure, Madejski Stadium, Reading, Berkshire

Career to date… Braude has risen to his current position in just six years with the Compass Group, from graduate trainee to general manager of this prestigious stadium. He has been hospitality manager at both the Oval Cricket Ground and Arsenal Football Club, both in London.

In 2004, he moved to the Madejski Stadium, home to Reading Football Club, London Irish Rugby Club and the Royal Berkshire Conference Centre, where he is responsible for a team of 18 and a variable workforce of as many as 300.

Why is he a winner? While at Arsenal, Braude increased conference and banqueting sales by 60% by demonstrating a "can-do" attitude towards customers. At the Madejski Stadium, he has introduced innovative ideas in corporate hospitality, including bowl food, an à la carte restaurant for match days, and increased mobile catering facilities. The Madejski Stadium is now considered to hold flagship status in Compass's AA Leisure Sports Portfolio.

Braude easily steps into a sales and marketing role, which, combined with his love for food, has made him into a well-rounded manager.

He focuses his recruitment efforts on the local community, particularly local colleges and the university, and this has undoubtedly encouraged others to pursue a career in the industry.

Braude has never taken much note of his job description, opting to do whatever is necessary to get the job done.