Ben first started his career in the hospitality business at the age of 16 washing dishes in a local pub in Manchester. Throughout his time at school and university Ben worked in a variety of Restaurants and bars and it was after his studies that Ben found his first management role with Loch Fyne Restaurants in 2002. Ben quickly progressed to General Manager of the Winchester Loch Fyne Restaurant before leaving to open a second branch of a popular independent seafood Restaurant in 2004. In 2006 Ben secured funding and bought out the current owners and subsequently opening two more Restaurants over the next two years. As Operations Director Ben was responsible for the menus, supply chain, margin control and labour and worked closely with the Head Chefs and General Managers to ensure the Restaurants were successful. It was after the birth of his son that Ben decided on a change of career and entered the world of recruitment to put his years of Operational Management skills to new use. Contact Ben for all Back of House and Chef vacancies across the UK.

Mobile: 07813 893380
Email: ben@itkrecruitment.co.uk

Anouska’s career began at an early age waitressing for high end events and weddings for a local caterer. After university Anouska worked for an events company in London sourcing locations for corporate events and meetings and working with some of Europe’s top hotels and conference centres. In 2001 Anouska joined Loch Fyne Restaurants as the Assistant Manager of the hugely successful Beaconsfield Restaurant and quickly progressed to General Manager overseeing, at that time Loch Fyne’s busiest store. Anouska left Loch Fyne as their Senior General Manager in 2007 to open a new high end gastro pub and remained there until the birth of her child in 2009. She is now putting her years of management experience and interviewing skills to good use working for itk Recruitment as the South East front of house specialist. Contact Anouska for all Front of House vacancies in London, Home Counties and the South East.

Mobile: 07813 085761
Email: anouska@itkrecruitment.co.uk

itk Recruitment was set up in October 2009 by current owner and operator Simon Bottomley. itk stands for “in the know” and that’s exactly what Simon is. Simon started his career in catering and hospitality at 15 years of age, working as a waiter in various Cambridge colleges. Throughout school and university he gained further experience in the sector within hotels and high-end restaurants. In 2001 Simon joined Loch Fyne Restaurants as a waiter, rising through the ranks to become General Manager in its Bath restaurant by 2003, where he enjoyed three successful years. In 2006 Simon moved into recruitment working for Lister Charles, first as a Consultant, then Senior Consultant and then becoming an Account Manager. After two years Simon returned to Loch Fyne as its in-house Recruitment Manager, spending a very happy year before moving back to another agency to open and develop a new hospitality desk with R3 Resourcing. It was after this Simon decided it was time to go alone and itk recruitment was born. Contact Simon for all front of house vacancies in the South West and North of England.

Mobile: 07875 226232
Email: simon@itkrecruitment.co.uk