East Lothian Council
East Lothian Council appointed Karen last year (along with Liz Young) to deliver a travel trade business support programme. Karen has been a pleasure to work with, she is extremely knowledgeable of the travel trade and brought a wealth of expertise to the businesses she supported. Her extensive understanding of the sector meant she was able to assist the varied businesses with their questions and areas requiring support. Everyone who went through the programme found the process extremely valuable and useful in developing their travel trade product.
Claire Dutton - Tourism Officer
Karin Tourism Solutions
In my role as a product developer for tour operators, I have known Karen Jacques for many years, initially when she was a hotel sales director, and in more recent years, in her role as a consultant for the tourism and hospitality industry.
I can confidently say that Karen’s expertise and knowledge of tourism and hospitality are unparalleled, which is evident in every project she undertakes.
I have mainly come across Karen in two of her consultancy roles; sales and marketing representation, and as the organiser of workshops and events.
Sales and marketing – when I was working in product development and contracting for tour operators, I knew that if Karen represented a product or a supplier, I could trust that she had ensured that it would deliver on any promises.
Karen has a deep understanding of travel trade and hospitality, and knows all the key players, so she instinctively knows who to talk to about the products and services she represents, so I also knew that if Karen approached me about a product, I needed to listen.
Workshops and events - I have also attended and presented at her travel trade workshops, and always found them to be informative, as well as highly organised and well-structured. Karen is great at sharing her expertise and knowledge in an engaging way, with the businesses she is coaching.
I’ve also attended a lot of the networking events Karen has organised, and always found them extremely valuable and well organised.
I cannot recommend Karen highly enough to anyone who is looking for business development or representation from a consultant who understands the tourism and hospitality industry inside and out.
In an industry where trust and long-term partnerships are critical, Karen is a true star, and with her vast expertise, she will undoubtedly be a key driver of success for any business she supports.
Karin Gidlund - Owner
Unbaggaged
It has been a pleasure to work with Karen as she has brought her valuable skills and knowledge to our team. From pre-trading, launch and now on accelerated growth, Karen has leveraged her skills, thinks outside the box and has brought optimistic energy to Unbaggaged. Karen's quick learner, problem-solving, highly proactive and delivered results on time and as a startup timing is very important. We were not only able to receive our first customers during the pandemic time but run an extensive marketing campaign bringing onboard several property management companies. This wouldn't have been possible without Karen's tailored strategies and techniques. Looking forward to working with her in the future as we expand further to other UK cities.
Janani Prabhakaran - Founder
Edinburgh First, The University of Edinburgh
We have worked with Karen over the last year. Her vast knowledge, experience, and connections within the Hospitality industry have been both exceptional and invaluable. Karen has researched, advised, and directed us into new leads and partnerships in supporting our market growth strategies.
Avril Campbell - Head of Commercial Accommodation
Kildonan Lodge Hotel
I have personally worked with Karen for over 6 years. During that time I have found her knowledge invaluable to my business.
Karen has advised me on many advertising opportunities and helped maintain our strong business customer base as well as opening up new markets to me.
I would have no hesitation in working with Karen again in the future.
Maggie Urquhart - Owner
Chardon Hotels
Chardon Hotels approached Karen as she was recommended by a few contacts in hospitality. Karen picked up the knowledge of each hotel and the business we were trying to target – with almost no time or effort for me! The best part was that I could completely trust Karen to represent our company professionally with our clients.
Pamela Fraser - Director of Sales & Marketing
Crerar Hotels (Golf View Hotel & Spa & Loch Fyne Hotel & Spa)
I have known Karen for many years, however this is the first time we have worked together. Karen took on sales project work for me at Crerar Hotels, and with her expert knowledge and connections in the Leisure, FIT and Tour Operator segments, meant that she hit the ground running. Karen’s task was to drive sales for two particular hotels in year one of their market re-positioning post multi-million pound refurbishments. Karen made exactly the right introductions and new connections, and I would recommend her services - Thanks Karen, I trust we can work together again soon.
Stacey Fleming – Group General Manager
Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau
Karen Jacques has been an enormous help in developing our East of Scotland Explorer Exclusive Offers Initiative. We now have more establishments taking part and the initiative is growing in momentum. I would not hesitate in recommending Karen’s expertise to anyone’ Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau.
Karen Tocher - Business Tourism Manager
Barony Castle
Karen worked with the team at Barony Castle over a period of 10 months offering sales and marketing consultancy.
A knowledgeable and professional individual Karen helped us to enhance our sales and marketing function. She utilised her wide industry network to develop business for all aspects of the hotel including accommodation, meetings and events, weddings, spa and food and beverage.
Karen worked alongside existing team members to put in place strategies and actions to drive the business forward. Whilst engaged by Barony Castle Karen also undertook to train and impart her extensive knowledge to the Sales & Marketing team which will show benefits for years to come.
Karen made a valuable contribution to the business during her time with us and I would not hesitate to call on her services for future projects or recommend her to other businesses.
Richard Spanner – Owner
The Edinburgh Address
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Karen. She is knowledgeable, passionate about the industry and has lots of professional contacts. Karen is also great to work with; diligent and enthusiastic, and we are very pleased with the results.
Anna Morris – Owner
Lateral City (Old Town Chambers, Edinburgh Grand, Merchiston Residence)
Working with Karen Jacques, as we have for over 2 years, has opened a new array of opportunities for my serviced apartment business, Lateral City Ltd. The strategies and actions implemented by Karen have already resulted in fantastic growth in revenue. Karen is very efficient and professional. She understands the business, meets deadlines and is pro-active in her role in Sales always focussed on the best interest of my business. It is a pleasure to do business with Karen.
Gavin MacLennan – General Manager
Gilmerton House
Karen has worked with the team at Gilmerton House over the past 3 years to establish this stunning country mansion as a five star exclusive use venue. She has utilised her extensive network of contacts within the tourism and hospitality industry to develop business for Gilmerton House.
A knowledgeable and committed sales professional Karen represented Gilmerton House in a professional manner at all times and worked with the family and the team to create and implement a sales and marketing strategy suitable for this venue. Gilmerton House is now firmly on the map as a top East Lothian venue for events, weddings, luxury leisure breaks and much more.
Fay Angus Knowles – General Manager.
Assembly Rooms
Karen has worked with the Assembly Rooms Sales team over the past 10 months. Her remit was to develop new future business via Corporate´s, Agents and DMC´s, while our Business Development Manager was on Maternity Leave. Karen´s extensive contacts in the corporate and hospitality sectors and sales experience ensured that she more than delivered what we required. She is very professional, organised and hugely committed and definitely became a key team member during this period. Karen definitely exceeded our expectations and I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her services.
Shona Clelland – General Manager.
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Gartmore House
Karen worked for Gartmore House and the Craigmore Centre for 2 years on a part time basis to help build and drive the business forward in the Craigmore Centre with school music groups. During the time that Karen spent with us she was a key figure in our business. With Karen’s excellent hospitality background, her experience and passion really shone through.
We are a unique business and she really took the time to understand our needs and she initiated a number of ideas targeting the market that we were looking for. Karen was a key figure during her time with us and had the ability to involve the whole team to ensure that the sales and marketing was being optimised to its full potential. I would have no hesitation what so ever in recommending Karen with her consultancy services.
Vicky McGowan – General Manager.
Destination Leaders Programme
Karen Jacques has recently graduated from the 2014/15 Destination Leaders Programme, with her Group Project on 'Curious Edinburgh' receiving a distinction.
Karen was a highly engaged participant in the programme, and brought many insights and perspectives based on her professional experience to the discussions and debates in the programme workshops. Karen in her role as a 'Destination Leader' will I am sure make a significant strategic contribution to maintaining competitive advantage and maximisation of Edinburgh's destination assets.
Kenneth Wardrop - Project Director for the Destination Leaders Programme (5 May 2015)
Old Town Chambers
Karen joined our small team last year as our outsourced sales consultant. Her contacts in the tourism industry across the UK are extensive and of course she has years of experience in launching hotels or just giving them a sales and marketing boost. She is always thinking about how she can connect her clients and you can ask her to represent you at any event and feel confident that your product is in safe hands.
I have found her experience and contacts to be invaluable. She is also very flexible, coming up with a package that suits your business needs. She is a steady hand and I can’t recommend her highly enough.
Julie Grieve - Chief Executive - Lateral City (Old Town Chambers)
The Edinburgh Collection
I have known Karen Jacques for many years and had the pleasure of employing her as a part- time Director of Sales for The Edinburgh Collection between 2012 and 2014.
She is a true and dedicated hospitality professional with extensive knowledge of the Corporate and Leisure sectors. She has good organisational, networking and presentation skills. I have no hesitation in recommending her consultancy services.
Ricky Kapoor - Commercial Director The Edinburgh Collection
Marketing Edinburgh
Karen has worked as a valuable team member with Marketing Edinburgh for the past 2 years with specific remit to build and develop the membership base in line with Business Plan objectives. Karen was successful in achieving set targets and her skills set greatly contributed to the retention and development of the membership based. Karen played a full role within the membership team networking at client events and building the reputation of the membership benefits of Convention Edinburgh. Karen proved to be a reliable and knowledgeable sales professional who demonstrated her commitment to Marketing Edinburgh by a flexible can do attitude to all the projects she was involved with. Within the scope of the position she was able to carry out meticulous research and was always driven by results which ensured that our client events were always at capacity and that our market intelligence was up-to-date. Throughout the course of her time with us Karen consistently delivered ensuring that revenue targets were achieved.
Hillary Bett - Head of Partnership & Business Development Marketing Edinburgh
Karen worked as part of the Membership Team at Marketing Edinburgh for the past 2 years. Her role was to nurture and develop business and opportunities for existing members in addition to bringing on board new members from the hospitality sector. One key project was also to carry out proactive research relating to corporate partnerships.
This required effective communication on all levels. Throughout the course of her time with us Karen consistently delivered ensuring that revenue targets were achieved. Karen is reliable and knowledgeable and carried out her role with the upmost professionalism.
C John Donnelly - Chief Executive Marketing Edinburgh
Other Clients
Karen Jacques
Getting in touch is really easy. Just a chat or something more formal, let us take a look at your requirements and discuss how we can work together from there.
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Contact Details
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07970 539166
karen@kjsms.co.uk