Who we are

James McConnell

James set up smilies consulting in 2006 and has over 40 years combined experience in the caravan industry with Vince. Central Support Feb 04 to March 06. Based at Hemel Hempstead, Company head office. Multi functional company wide role that included; Cover for absent General and or Sales Managers. Mentoring newly appointed Sales Managers. Special projects for individual Board members.

  • Secondment to Haven Europe May 2002 to Feb 2004 - General Manager of Domaine De Kerlann, Brittany, France. Reporting to main board as to should Bourne retain this business.
  • Way of Working Central Coach June 98 to May 2002 - Working with an external consulting company, Wilson Learning, to create the Bourne business culture within the caravan parks division of the newly acquired Rank Holiday company. Created and implemented the Owners Exclusive Development programme, which was to identify and coach the competencies required for future Managers. Created and implemented the Sales person development journey for all Caravan Sales personnel. Responsible for the recruitment and development of all new caravan sales people.
  • North American Operations Director Nov 1993 to June 1998 - Responsible to the main board for the operation and profitability of the two properties owned by the company in Canada and the USA. These businesses had a combined turnover in excess 35 million dollars and were responsible for a team of over 300.
  • General Manager UK caravan parks Oct 1986 to Nov 1993 - General Manager on 3 individual parks at different times in this period. Responsible for operation and profitability. Parks would have turnover of 3 to 10 million pounds and teams of up to 150.
  • Caravan Sales Manager Dec 1981 to Oct 1986 - Responsible for the caravan sales on 3 individual parks at different times in this period.

Vince Avery

Vince set up smilies consulting in 2006 and has over 40 years combined experience in the caravan industry with James. Wilson Learning Coach - One of the two accredited Wilson Learning CSP 1 Coaches within Bourne Leisure. Delivered Regional training with the process overview and telephone techniques to all new start Sales Personnel. General Manager UK Caravan Parks Jan 02 to Sept 06 - General Manager on 2 individual parks at different times in this period.

Responsible for operation and profitability. Parks would have turnover of 3 to 10 million pounds and teams of up to 150. Bourne Leisure General Manager of the year 2003. Caravan Sales Manager 92 to 02 - Responsible for the caravan sales on 4 individual parks at different times in this period. Exceeded budget every year. Secondment to Royalty Resorts Sarasota Florida 1990 - Working with an external consultancy company to recruit coach and set marketing and operational systems in this newly acquired Bourne Leisure subsidiary. Sales Person 1989 to 1992 - Sales Person on 3 individual parks during this period. Bourne Leisure Sales person on the year 1990

Hayley Avery

Has 15 years in the industry and specialises in telemarketing. Has worked for the top park operators and consulted for numerous other clients

Tiphane Gallou

Has in-depth knowledge of the French market. Has worked for Siblu (the largest park operator in France). Also has experience in international recruitment..

Russell Knight

joined the caravan park industry in 1988 working for James McConnell in North Wales. Has since worked for Bourne Leisure (Haven Holidays) on several parks doing a range of different jobs; caravan sales, grounds maintenance, caravan siting, customer services. Russell was awarded Haven's Owner Services Manager of the Year in 2011 whilst working at Lydstep Beach Holiday Village in Tenby, South West Wales. He has been with Bronwen for 17 years, who he met whilst working at Quay West Holiday Park in mid Wales. He is now working as an associate Consultant.

Bronwen Knight

Met Russell and moved with him to Church Farm Holiday Village on the South Coast where she worked as Holiday Sales Advisor and then Sales Receptionist. Has since held several roles including; Cashier, After Sales Manager and Sales Administration. Her last role was as Park Health and Safety Administrator and Sales Administrator at Lydstep Beach Holiday Village in Tenby, South West Wales

Stuart Hanks

Joined Smilies Consulting on a part-time basis January 2011. Worked for Bourne Leisure 1988 – 2010. Wrote Complex Manager Best Practise Manual. Part of Group that designed the current induction programme. Was given the Complex Manager Award 1998, GM award 2006, led park of the Year 2007. NVQ Assessor/Verifier, MHCIMA – member of Hotel, Catering and Institutional Management Association. 32 years in management in the Caravan Holiday Industry 1979 As Complex Manager or General Manager.

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