Sophie Howse - Chief Sales Officer at onefinestay
Position and Career Background:
Sophie Howse holds the position of Chief Sales Officer (CSO) at onefinestay, a company renowned for luxury accommodations and hospitality experiences. She assumed the CSO role in 2023, marking a significant milestone in her career that spans over 14 years in the luxury hospitality industry. Her journey with onefinestay began in 2016 as an Account Manager for B2B partners in the EMEA region. Prior to her current role, she effectively grew critical business segments at Red Letter Days and Treatwell, contributing significantly to company revenue and strategy.
Responsibilities:
In her capacity as CSO, Sophie oversees multiple facets of the company's operations including reservations, sales operations, and the B2B team. Her leadership extends to aligning the global reservations team with company strategies, enhancing sales systems, and fostering new partnerships. She is responsible for the training of her team to ensure in-depth knowledge across 50+ destinations and collaborates closely with brand and marketing teams to elevate awareness of lesser-known destinations.
Strategic Insight:
Under her leadership, the reservations team is tasked with matching clients with ideal properties while ensuring a seamless booking experience. Her background in enhancing operational efficiency and her mastery in sales strategy is leveraged across team operations, especially in sales technology integration and partnership growth endeavors.
Professional Philosophy and Influences:
Sophie emphasizes a passion-driven approach to her professional engagements, advising women in business to align careers with personal interests. Additionally, she draws inspiration from iconic figures like Iris Apfel for their audacious contributions beyond traditional corporate boundaries and from legal luminary Ruth Bader Ginsburg for their groundbreaking impact on gender equality.
Achievements and Contributions:
Sophie's career trajectory is dotted with accomplishments such as significantly contributing to revenue growth and strategic realignment at Treatwell, where she played a pivotal role in enhancing relations with high-end spas and hotels. Her tenure reflects an ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and dynamic work environment, exemplified by her efforts in building a community for commercial professionals to connect and share insights.
Community and Vision:
A commitment to social impact is evident in her aspiration to serve on boards with a focus on social responsibility. Sophie is proactive in forming networks that empower professionals within commercial sectors, aiming to ensure a lasting and positive influence in her community.
Conclusion:
Sophie Howse is an influential and strategic leader with an established history in luxury hospitality, driving substantial growth at onefinestay and nurturing a community-centric corporate culture. Her deep industry knowledge and dedication to fostering inclusive leadership position her as a pivotal figure in the luxury sector.