Identifying the need for cost-effective, personable and creative solutions for the hospitality industry in the North East has led husband and wife team, Michael and Ashleigh Donald, to offer their knowledge and training skills to hotels, tour agencies and restaurants.
Halo Business Consulting’s launch is timely to help companies to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the North East during a time of continued investment and ongoing regeneration, helping to attract international tourism.
With more than 30 years’ collective experience in global hospitality operations and marketing communications, founders Michael and Ashleigh Donald offer flexible support to businesses in the key areas of Customer Experience, Operations, Marketing and Communications. Acting as an outsourced and hands-on resource, companies can benefit from access to senior leadership without the need to commit to a full-time or in-house resource.
“Having lived in London for many years, we are delighted to return to the North East to set up Halo Business Consulting, at a time when investment and interest in this region are at an all-time high” says Ashleigh, originally from Gosforth.
Michael adds “Having spent our careers working with some of the world’s most discerning clientele, we are committed to supporting companies in the region in providing excellence in their service delivery and their external communications, resulting in a richer guest experience and increased brand loyalty.”
Michael and Ashleigh recently transformed their work-life balance to fit around their family bringing them to Whitley Bay where Halo Business Consulting are based, whilst representing clients on both a local and global scale. They have experience working with some of the leading brands in the world in the UK, USA and Thailand.
Ashleigh has extensive experience as an in-house Marketing & Communications Director, with eight years with Starwood Hotels & Resorts. In 2014, she implemented the pre-opening communications to launch Shangri-La Hotel, At The Shard in London. She has also worked at some of the top London-based PR agencies. In 2019, Ashleigh was appointed as an Entrepreneur in Residence and member of the Alumni Leadership Circle at Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University.
Michael is a senior hospitality professional with 15 years’ experience leading the front of house teams in luxury international hotels and resorts. During his tenure with Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Michael led customer experience departments, conducted Six Sigma operation innovation initiatives and was part of the pre-opening task force for two London hotel openings. Most recently, Michael was the Reception Manager at The Goring in London, the only hotel with a Royal Warrant from Her Majesty, The Queen. In 2015, Michael helped the hotel win the coveted five-star rating from the Forbes Travel Guide and win the AA London Hotel of the Year in 2017.
