The Brown Sign Project

Carly Straughan and Carlton Gajadhar
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Careers

Carlton Gajadhar and Carly Straughan host The Brown Sign Podcast, focusing on the bits of the tourism industry that don't normally get much coverage. From careers in tourist attractions to visitor service excellence, we love to share stories from tourism professionals and hear about their experience of the wonderful, and sometimes weird, world of visitor attractions.

  1. 30/10/2023

    The Brown Sign Project - Sandra Lynes Timbrell

    Sandra Lynes Timbrell has worked in the cultural sector for over 20 years, holding senior roles at some of the UK’s most recognisable sites, including Shakespeare’s Globe and several English Heritage properties. She is Director of Visitor Engagement at St Paul’s Cathedral, where she leads several teams including commercial, visitor experience, security, collections and marketing. She is responsible for creating and delivering operational models that enable attractions to be financially secure whilst simultaneously creating a welcoming environment for visitors.   Sandra has mentored young people starting out in the heritage industry, and delivered numerous talks and training sessions for Museum & Heritage Show; Women in Leadership and SOLT; the leading membership organization for the performing arts in the UK. She holds an MA in Heritage Management.    You can find more out about Sandra here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-lynes-timbrell-3a59ab8/   You can find out more about your hosts here...  Carlton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgajadhar/ and https://www.carlton-gajadhar.com/ Carly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlystraughan/ and http://qlineconsulting.com/   With huge thanks to our sponsors, StaffSavvy and Retail Integration without whom this would not have been possible.  Absolute huge respect and thanks to our great editor over at Joe Shmo Productions who you can find over on Twitter at...  https://twitter.com/joeshm0

    57 min

  2. 10/10/2023

    The Brown Sign Project - Mark Lofthouse

    Mark Lofthouse is a seasoned themed attraction specialist with a wide range of expertise in marketing, operations, creation, and development of location-based entertainment. Mark excels in developing captivating experiences that transport guests to immersive worlds. With a passion for delivering exceptional entertainment experiences, Mark Lofthouse is a trusted professional in the world of themed attractions.   You can find more out about Mark here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miloft/   You can find out more about your hosts here...  Carlton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgajadhar/ and https://www.carlton-gajadhar.com/ Carly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlystraughan/ and http://qlineconsulting.com/   With huge thanks to our sponsors, StaffSavvy and Retail Integration without whom this would not have been possible.  Absolute huge respect and thanks to our great editor over at Joe Shmo Productions who you can find over on Twitter at...  https://twitter.com/joeshm0

    46 min

  3. 25/09/2023

    The Brown Sign Project - Jennifer Kennedy

    Jennifer Kennedy is the founder of JK Consulting, a retail consultancy specialising in tourism and heritage.   Over the past 20 years she has worked with numerous global organisations and currently works with a range of clients from start-ups to multi-nationals. Her career spans across business/brand strategy, retail, commercial product development and tourism development. Prior to establishing JK Consulting, Jennifer served as the Head of Retail at the Guinness Storehouse for a 12 year term.  Clients include, Fáilte Ireland, Irish National Stud, Athlone Castle, Game of Thrones Studio Tour, Native Denim, Trinity College, Slane Whiskey Distillery, Christ Church Cathedral, EPIC-The Irish Emigration Museum, Shannon Heritage, The Medieval Mile Museum, Tayto Park,  The Irish Whiskey Museum, Loftus Hall, Burren Smokehouse, Tullamore D.E.W., St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Kylemore Abbey.    You can find more out about Jennifer here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kennedy-aba75712/   You can find out more about your hosts here...  Carlton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgajadhar/ and https://www.carlton-gajadhar.com/ Carly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlystraughan/ and http://qlineconsulting.com/   With huge thanks to our sponsors, StaffSavvy and Retail Integration without whom this would not have been possible.  Absolute huge respect and thanks to our great editor over at Joe Shmo Productions who you can find over on Twitter at...  https://twitter.com/joeshm0

    44 min

  4. 11/09/2023

    The Brown Sign Project - Phil Royle

    Phil Royle is the Divisional Director of LEGOLAND Global Experiences & Standards. Royle also oversees all Guest Experiences within the 10 LEGOLAND Resorts around the world advising on industry best practice and Operations. Continuous Improvement, Transformation and Global Entertainment are the Divisions that sit without Royle’s scope allowing the parks to utilize technology to improve processes and systems within the theme parks and hotels. Royle has over 22 years of experience with Merlin Entertainments Group PLC, the parent company of LEGOLAND Korea Resort and is a native of the UK although holds dual US & UK Citizenships. Previously holding senior roles within LEGOLAND Resorts, LEGOLAND Discovery Centers, Madame Tussaud’s, SEA LIFE Aquariums and the London Eye before joining LEGOLAND Florida Resort. His experience covers a wide variety of disciplines including Operations, Health & Safety, Brand Management and Corporate Events. His studies have included Business Management, IT, Project Management and Health & Safety.    Royle lives in Winter Haven, Florida - USA but has previously resided in South Korea, Texas - US and California - US after moving from the UK 14 years ago. When not working, Royle enjoys archery, spending time road biking and kayaking with his wife Charlotte. Board & Community positions held: Board Director - ACE Architecture Construction Engineering Mentoring Program, NY - CURRENT Board Director - New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA), NY - CURRENT Board Director - Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary, NY - CURRENT Board Director - Orange County Chamber of Commerce, NY - CURRENT Board Director - Goshen Chamber of Commerce, NY - CURRENT Board Director - BOCES Educational Advisory Board, NY - CURRENT Advisory Committee Member - Give Kids the World, FL MAPS (Mentoring & Peer Support programs), UK Board Director - Hollywood Business Improvement District, CA Board Director - Humane Society of Polk County, FL You can find more out about Phil here: linkedin.com/in/phil-royle-0803a17   You can find out more about your hosts here...  Carlton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgajadhar/ and https://www.carlton-gajadhar.com/ Carly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlystraughan/ and http://qlineconsulting.com/   With huge thanks to our sponsors, StaffSavvy and Retail Integration without whom this would not have been possible.  Absolute huge respect and thanks to our great editor over at Joe Shmo Productions who you can find over on Twitter at...  https://twitter.com/joeshm0

    39 min

  5. 08/08/2023

    The Brown Sign Project - Ted Yeatts

    At the age of 30, Ted Yeatts “accidentally” (and almost overnight) became the general manager of a small, struggling, ten-year-old hotel in Fort Myers, Florida. With no hotel experience, Ted figured out how to turn the hotel around and led it from one of the lowest performing properties in the brand, to one of the top in his area.  Through the next 10 years, Ted transformed multiple hotels and resorts. Now, as a hospitality consultant, he uses those experiences to help other businesses create a customer experience that results in significant improvements in their bottom line.     You can find more out about Ted here: linkedin.com/in/tedyeatts TedYeatts.com   You can find out more about your hosts here...  Carlton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgajadhar/ and https://www.carlton-gajadhar.com/ Carly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlystraughan/ and http://qlineconsulting.com/   With huge thanks to our sponsors, StaffSavvy and Retail Integration without whom this would not have been possible.  Absolute huge respect and thanks to our great editor over at Joe Shmo Productions who you can find over on Twitter at...  https://twitter.com/joeshm0

    37 min

  6. 24/07/2023

    The Brown Sign Project - Sarah Bagg

    Sarah is the founder of ReWork Consulting, a Ticketing and Business Development Consultancy that helps technology partners and attractions to grow. Aside from running a successful consultancy business, she is heavily involved in the industry, through events like the Ticketing Professionals Conference and Ticketing Business Forum. She's a life coach, a mentor and also an inspiring artist. Sarah has been working in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors since she was 15. At 23 she held her first management position with Oneills Irish bar chain, part of the Mitchells and Butler group. Since then she has held senior roles at Chelsea Football Club, Vinopolis Wine World Wine tasting and events company, The Visitor Attractions Company and more recently ticketing partner TOR Systems. Sarah led two capex museum redevelopment projects, in excess of £7million whilst at Chelsea Football Club, she has managed multidisciplinary teams with in excess of 100 staff and led pre-opening planning and recruitment for new ventures under the Visitor Attractions Company. She lives in the city of Brighton and Hove, and runs ReWork from a coworking space to add value to the business, but also to support her own mental health and aspirations. When she 'grew up' she wanted to be a children's book illustrator.   You can find more out about Sarah here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahbagg/   You can find out more about your hosts here...  Carlton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgajadhar/ and https://www.carlton-gajadhar.com/ Carly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlystraughan/ and http://qlineconsulting.com/   With huge thanks to our sponsors, StaffSavvy and Retail Integration without whom this would not have been possible.  Absolute huge respect and thanks to our great editor over at Joe Shmo Productions who you can find over on Twitter at...  https://twitter.com/joeshm0

    49 min

  7. 10/07/2023

    The Brown Sign Project - Paul Griffiths

    Paul is currently the Director of Painshill Park Trust, an independent charity, a post he has held since November 2018.  Painshill is a beautifully restored 18th Century landscape which was designed by Hon Charles Hamilton. It was the English Landscape garden which inspired so many others in England and all over Europe. Painshill's visitor numbers have grown from 80,000 to over 200,000 In 2019 is was appointed as a Director of Visit Surrey, which drives tourism and related industries throughout the county.  In 2020 Paul joined the Board of Trustees at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, in and currently Chair’s the charities finance committee and in 2023 was elected as Vice-Chair of the Museum. Prior to joining Painshill, Paul  was with the Mary Rose Trust from June 2012 as the Head of Operations for the new Mary Rose Museum which opened to the public in May 2013 and was also Managing Director of Mary Rose Trading Ltd. Before that he held the senior post of Head of Visitor Operations for the London Historic Properties at English Heritage and managed a Portfolio of 14 sites. In July 2018 Paul was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Business by Solent University for services to Tourism, Heritage and Conservation.   Paul been a guest on a number of webinars and podcasts including ALVA, Association of Cultural Enterprises, Skip the Queue, Attraction Pros, The Leaders Council and Surrey Matters.   You can find more out about Paul here: linkedin.com/in/paul-griffiths-63432763   You can find out more about your hosts here...  Carlton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgajadhar/ and https://www.carlton-gajadhar.com/ Carly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlystraughan/ and http://qlineconsulting.com/   With huge thanks to our sponsors, StaffSavvy and Retail Integration without whom this would not have been possible.  Absolute huge respect and thanks to our great editor over at Joe Shmo Productions who you can find over on Twitter at...  https://twitter.com/joeshm0

    53 min

  8. 26/06/2023

    The Brown Sign Project - Jon ODonoghue

    Across four corners of England Jon has been lucky to work with places of immense beauty, fascination and popularity. There have been gardens, houses, galleries, museums, coastline, parklands, villages, woodlands, a railway and even an island. Some have been occupied since the Bronze Age, others were established within his lifetime. Before becoming a business development consultant Jon worked as a conservation assistant, a guide, an assistant head gardener, a visitor experience and marketing manager, an operations manager, a head of public engagement, an analyst, a project manager and a commercial director. Each of the places Jon has worked with has had a particular combination of problems and opportunities, and his work has been to help them grow. This might be in profitability, in appeal, in standards of conservation or in efficiency. The foundation for any growth has been understanding the distinctiveness of each place - its stories, its challenges, its richness. There’s always something, however intangible, which is the seed for sustainable growth. Jon wants Eagle & Oak to treat places authentically, to build sustainability and apply my creativity and inspire it in others. It’s my opportunity to work with even more places to keep them special well into the future.   You can find more out about Jon here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonodon/   You can find out more about your hosts here...  Carlton - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cgajadhar/ and https://www.carlton-gajadhar.com/ Carly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlystraughan/ and http://qlineconsulting.com/   With huge thanks to our sponsors, StaffSavvy and Retail Integration without whom this would not have been possible.  Absolute huge respect and thanks to our great editor over at Joe Shmo Productions who you can find over on Twitter at...  https://twitter.com/joeshm0

    50 min
See All (29)

About

Carlton Gajadhar and Carly Straughan host The Brown Sign Podcast, focusing on the bits of the tourism industry that don't normally get much coverage. From careers in tourist attractions to visitor service excellence, we love to share stories from tourism professionals and hear about their experience of the wonderful, and sometimes weird, world of visitor attractions.

Information

  • Creator
    Carly Straughan and Carlton Gajadhar
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2023
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Brown Sign Project