A highly experienced IT solutions delivery company – specially designed to take the fear out of IT systems management in the hospitality and leisure industry through a clearly defined, seamless and independent bespoke approach to solving client IT challenges – has been officially launched across the UK and overseas to all sizes of operation.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne-based Avenue9 has been officially unveiled. Formerly part of the highly reputed Claritas Solutions Group of Companies, Avenue9 was the focus of a management buyout in December 2013 by former Claritas employees Kevin Edwards and Philippa Witheat.
Managing the multitude of vendor relationships and disparate systems
Based on their extensive industry experience and market knowledge, Managing Director Kevin Edwards and Sales and Marketing Director Philippa Witheat identified a key challenge common to many hospitality and leisure Finance and IT directors – namely, the need for a seamless and independent approach to managing a multitude of vendor relationships and disparate systems, often inappropriate to the nature of many hospitality and leisure operations.
“Avenue9 aims to assist in overcoming these challenges,” explained Edwards. “Through an independent approach built upon industry experience and market knowledge, we are in a position to consult upon, supply, manage and host any aspect of IT within the hospitality and leisure sector. Most importantly, this is underpinned not just by technical expertise, but a deep understanding of how hotels operate and the unique challenges they present.
Software vendors driving requirements, not operators
“We believe that it is the software vendors who are driving requirements and functionality in hospitality and leisure operations, rather than the vendors listening to operators’ requirements. With such a diverse marketplace, it is not the case of one size fits all. A 5-star spa, aimed at international travellers, is very different to that of a one-star operation focussing on the domestic market. This is where Avenue9 has excelled. We want to understand fully the nature of our clients, understand their inner workings and fundamentally comprehend how they operate. It is only once the process is complete that we are able to suggest and recommend solutions that will fit their respective businesses.”
Growing client portfolio
The ever growing portfolio of Avenue9 clients – including De Vere Village Hotels (urban resorts), Shire Hotels & Spas, Hotel Collection (formerly known as Puma Hotels), and the independently owned Crieff Hydro in Perthshire – bear witness to the success of the company’s approach to IT solutions delivery.
Hospitality Consultant
The company’s Hospitality Consultant Mark Jelley has worked in the hotel industry for over 30 years and has an impressive history of implementing successful IT solutions. Prior to joining Avenue9, Mark was Senior Consultant at Deloitte Consulting, following spells as Director of IT at Principal-Hayley Hotel & Conference Venues, Director of IT at Malmaison and Hotel du Vin Hotels, and Business Analyst at Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts. In addition, Mark is a Board Director of HOSPA (Hospitality Professionals Association for Finance, Revenue Management and IT).
Chief objectives
Philippa Witheat summed up Avenue9’s chief objectives: “Avenue9 works with hospitality organisations to understand their business, understand their culture, and deliver seamless IT solutions that are handcrafted and delivered to the maximum return on investment, rather than advancing our own technology status in the industry.”
Pictured above: Avenue9 Founders Kevin Edwards, Managing Director; and Philippa Witheat, Sales and Marketing Director
For further information:
T 0191 229 9660
DD 0191 229 9662
M 07739 224 062
E pwitheat@avenue9solutions.com
W www.avenue9solutions.com
Avenue9, Collingwood Buildings, 38 Collingwood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1JF