Jean-François Dor
An articulate, resourceful, creative and keen achiever with heaps of experience in hospitality, public relations and marketing. Extremely organised with the skills, determination and flexibility to deliver fruitful and high-profile projects.
Loves challenges leading team(s) and delivering results. I get people together and make it happen.
Achievements
- Increased revenue of R.S. Hispaniola by 50% within three months and doubled the turnover within six months of taking over by negotiating pricing and fees with suppliers, eliminated pilferage and trained the staff to up sell with a smile. Put the venue on the map, starting by A to Z and negotiated a unique postcode with the Post Office. I made the venue the centre of attention in the Oil Week and other yearly occurence with various other corporate entities, hosting various head of states.
- Organises a variety of prestigious events of up to 10,000 delegates with budgets in six figures, a few in the Presence of H.M. The Queen Elizabeth II and H.R.H The Duke of Edinburgh.
- Owns a large database of high net worth individuals, associations, buyers and suppliers, constantly updated.
- Founded The Network in 2012 and The Gay Professional Network in 2010.
- Increased monthly meeting attendance, turnover, profits and membership of various other clubs by ten folds.
- Raised several hundred thousand pounds towards various projects in association with The Rotary Club and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, particularly matching their grant of $150 million to eradicate polio worldwide, continue to support various charities.
- Named the most well connected person at a dinner in the City of London.
Languages
Fluent French and English.
Memberships
Employment History
2009 – 2024 Events, Marketing and Public Relations
Freelance
Produced up to 120 special events a year for various networks, societies, clubs, charities and corporations. During these years I created an exclusive portfolio of PR & marketing, networking, fundraising, exhibitions, incentive travel, destination management, launch & awards and other events.
2003 – 2009 Events Director
DRM – Destination and Resources Management
International event director for all special events of this group based in Geneva with offices in Montreal, Madrid, Vienna, Paris, Croatia, Brussels and responsible for the London office. Clients included the Kofi Anan Foundation and the Olympic Committee.
1992 – 2003 General Manager
Restaurant Ship Hispaniola (RSH), Victoria Embankment, London
Overall responsibility in partnership with the owner with a staff of over 100 full and part-time positions. Hispaniola was used mainly for private and corporate events for up to 500 people with a sought-after restaurant and a bar with magnificent views of the Thames. Then part of a group of 9 restaurants and 3 hotels.
Prior to this I worked in various senior positions, including several Michelin starred restaurant, including:
- The Green Park Hotel – Mayfair, London- now Hilton,
- Borde Hill Restaurant and Conference Centre, Haywards Heath - West Sussex.
- Roux Restaurant Ltd- In house catering-London, including Le Gavroche, Waterside Inn, Mazarin and various Banks in the City of London such as Paribas, bringing three stars Michelin standard to the City and organised various prestigious events, receptions and exhibitions for clients.
- Club Prince Albert, Brussels, Belgium-Entertained visiting Heads of States and Military from countries around the world.
- La Villa Lorraine, Brussels, Belgium- First three stars Michelin outside France.
Non Executive Positions
2012–Present Chairman Gay Business Association
2015–Present Board Member myGwork
Prior Non-Executive Positions
2008–2017 Vice-Chairman The Eccentric Club
2014–2016 Director & Trustee Positive East
2011–2016 Internship Supervisor (Maître de Stage)
- RennesUniversity - Master management & marketing International,
- Lycee Jean Monnet Saint Etienne Business School - International Commerce
- Academie de Grenoble - International Trade
- BusinessManagement School of Vendee
2006–2013 Chairman The Arts Club Charitable Trust
2001–2012 Trustee The Royal Belgian Benevolent Society
2005-2009 Treasurer
2008–2012 Event Director The Worshipful Company of Marketors
2008–2011 Director The Britain-China Trade Association
2001–2011 Director The Royal Anglo-Belgian Club
2004–2009 Member Consultant Group Institute of Fundraising
2006–2008 Director The Association for Conference and Events
1996–2003 Chairman Events Committee of the Arts Club
1996–2012 Chairman Events Committee of the Anglo-Belgian Society
1996–2001 Director The Arts Club (London) Limited
Work placements/Internship
Comme Chez Soi, Brussels (Three stars Michelin) and various other Relais et Chateaux and Small Luxury Hotels; Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (S.H.A.P.E.) - American and Belgian Officer’s Club.
Education and Training
- Hotel & Catering Management & Baccalaureate (BA, Hons)- Belgium
- Economic and Social Studies - Belgium.
- Public Relations, CityUniversity
- History of ArtWestminster College
- New Entrepreneur Scholarship - Business Planning
- Springboard Ambassador Programme
- Red Cross firstaid Diploma
- Management Course – Learning Tree
Prior Memberships
Institute of Directors (Fellow)
The Institute of Fundraising
Meetings and Incentive Associations
UK Marketing Network
Rotary Club of London
Meeting Professional International
Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce
Association of Events Manager
The Worshipful Company of Marketors
The Bishopsgate Ward Club.
Online Networks
Hobbies
Painting, drawing, dancing, travelling, walking, enjoying the arts, people and life.
