The Back Office mission is to supercharge the nuts and bolts of aspirational and established businesses operating in the world of hospitality and events.

Identifying a growing need for flexibility in an ever-changing economic environment, The Back Office offers an opportunity to tap into exceptional expertise and experience in running your business so that you and your team can focus on doing what you do best.

The behind-the-scenes efforts of a company might not be seen by your customers but will make all the difference to their experience. Slick operating procedures set the tone for the business’s professional aspirations. Concise financial reporting is a tool for engaging the team and targeting their efforts. Clearly defined staff support systems will encourage staff to be more dedicated to the business’ cause.

Taking care of business is what makes your business a happy place - for the customers, your team and you!

ANDRE BAYUNI, FOUNDER >

In setting up The Back Office, I have the opportunity to articulate, promote and implement the core values that have defined my own professional journey. It is from having worked through the ranks and experiencing all aspects of working within the industry that I have consummated these principles and learned how to best give effect to them.  

Before steering my career towards events and hospitality, I was at a fork in the road between law and teaching. Although quite far afield from eventual chosen path, these formative years were foundational to my professional identity. Through law, I practiced the art of clear communication and the science of structured analysis. Through teaching I developed a temperament of mentorship and appreciation of individuality.

But forks have more than two prongs and it’s on a third prong that I applied these foundations and developed the skills and understanding in an industry that has become my calling.*

With over 20 years’ experience working with venues and putting on events, there is no aspect of management or entertainment production that I’ve not put my hand to.  

HOSPITALITY HERITAGE >

NOTTING HILL ARTS CLUB

My initiation in the world of management was at Notting Hill Arts Club; the infamous music and arts institution that set the trend for venues doing away with the boundaries between being a club, bar, live music venue and exhibitor of arts. The driving force behind the success of this institution was the energy of its staff who, long after leaving, remain dedicated members of the club’s community. Through a culture of championing individuality and infectious positivity, we truly reaped the best from staff members and fostered a spirit of camaraderie unparalleled in the music and arts scene. The Notting Hill Arts Club cemented the foundational values that have seen me through my career.  

PLATTERFORM

I went on to become a founding partner of Platterform; an award-winning creative event production company that assembled a collaborative network of experts across the fields of gastronomy, mixology & production. The outcome was a series of events that led the way for temporary immersive dining experiences before the term ‘pop-up’ was part of everyday vocabulary. Whether developing  unusual and architecturally fascinating sites into temporary event dining venues, designing bespoke drinks menus to sit alongside inventive and bold food concepts, sourcing and training front and back of house staff or tailoring systems to meet the specific requirements of our collaborators - all under the pressure of very short turn-around times. Through working with a multitude of talented collaborators whose projects were still very much in their infancy, I have had the privilege of sharing their journey of bringing ideas to life.  

LONDON SHUFFLE CLUB

Platterform’s final client was the London Shuffle Club. Starting off as a series of events, London Shuffle Club quickly put a mark on the trending competitive socialising scene. The rapid establishment of the company afforded me the opportunity to commit fully to its journey of growth. By investing my full time and focus, I could further fine tune operational systems and more deeply instil a culture of engaging customer interaction and industrious teamwork. Effectively delegating hands-on duties to a well-oiled management team, I was afforded the freedom to engage in a more holistic understanding of the business. Operational systems became more intricate and routine ensuring greater efficiency with a shared purpose and professional identity. Financial systems evolved to enable advanced data collection which could be used to more accurately forecast and budget. HR systems matured to enable more consistent, transparent and fairer people management, promoting more effective staff progress and accountability. With the benefit of these more advanced systems, I could focus my role more on the general business strategy, marketing and brand development.  

My trodden career path defines my specialisations which are summed up in the services I offer as consultant.  A journey is both a process and a goal. So, whether putting on an event, kick-starting a new company, refreshing management of an existing business or looking to develop and expand your brand, The Back Office is here to support you. 

*Yes, forks have four prongs. The fourth prong was in the world of music playing bass in bands as varied as my career choices. The function of the bass guitar in a band is a useful metaphor for the contribution of my services - keeping a business driving forward by bringing the other elements together.