You’ve probably heard of Roslyns Group, the leading provider of services to the hospitality sector. Since their creation in 1992 as pub accountants, they have grown to cover all aspects of business services across the hospitality sector. They provide market leading accounts, payroll, stock audits, business planning and more to pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and leisure businesses. But who are the faces behind the scenes? Meet Lee Goodship, one of Roslyns’ Business Development Manager.
How did you get started in the hospitality industry?
I began early as a part time glass collector at a local social club aged around 12. As I got older, they gave me a ‘proper’ job and trained me up, first on the bar and then in the kitchen. I found a passion for the industry and went on to train as a chef, working at hotels such as the Savoy and Gleneagles.
After a hand injury I left kitchens and went back to front of house working as a manager. I found that I loved being back working with the public, so I took on a tenancy and later bought a leasehold. As much as I loved my job running pubs, I needed more time with my growing family and so applied for a job with Roslyns. I’ve been with Roslyns for over 3 years now, starting in the stock audit department and then undergoing a range of finance and business training allowing me to use my varied industry experience to help other businesses.
What do you most love about the industry?
I’ve always loved meeting new people, either as my customers, or now as business clients. Special events were always great to be a part of, in addition to running my leasehold pub, I also ran a successful mobile bar and catering business. It was great to be part of people’s big days.
I also enjoy the way that people pull together in the hospitality industry, businesses, and customers alike. One of my pubs won the Morning Advertiser Fundraising Pub of the Year award, and it really was a great team effort with us and our regular customers planning it all together.
What is your current role?
I am a Business Development Manager with Roslyns Group. We are the leading supplier of business services to the hospitality sector and essentially my role is to be the main point of contact for our clients, liaising with the range of our departments, accounts, tax, payroll and stocktaking. I help advise and support my clients, on a range of business matters, from the numbers to more practical things.
I also put together business plans and financial forecasts, and help new clients move from their old providers and help them settle in as Roslyns clients.
What do you enjoy the most about your job?
I love the variety of clients I look after, from small country pubs to city centre bars and multiple site operators. I really enjoy being able to make a difference, it’s rewarding to see my advice and support having a real effect on strengthening someone’s business. Having been an operator myself, this is really important to me.
What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing hospitality over the coming year?
Well, the big one is clearly uncertainty around COVID, and what could happen in the future. I’m hearing from a lot of my clients that staffing is becoming a real problem and they’re worried that recruitment could remain an issue going forward. Also, in spring next year we expect VAT rates to go back up, and business rates to become due again. This is bound to make things tougher.
How are you and Roslyns able to help your clients with these problems?
It’s really important to us that we understand the potential issues ahead of time and put support measures, and guidance, in place ahead of time. To help with staffing concerns we provide a free to use rota planner that costs out a rota as you write it. This is really helpful for planning ahead and budgeting. We also provide a health and benefits scheme for less than a £1 a week per employee. This allows employers to go the extra mile to retain and attract good employees but at a low cost. As for the upcoming VAT and rates bills, our role here is to prepare the client’s business for this by helping them to streamline costs and maximise their potential profits.
COVID has uniquely affected the hospitality industry but knowing it as I do, I’m actually quite confident that the industry will get fighting fit again. Hospitality traditionally attracts grafters and entrepreneurs, so if anyone can do it, they can!
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To find out more about Roslyns Group, and see what they could do for you, take a look at www.roslyns.co.uk. Maybe you could be one of Lee’s clients!
