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Jonathan Rounce

Senior Associate

Co-founder of Petersham Group, Jonathan can draw on over 35 years experience in the international leisure industry in roles embracing development, finance, operations, general management and consultancy. Jonathan’s knowledge and understanding of the leisure sector is extensive and much sought after.

Qualified initially as an hotelier and a chartered accountant, Jonathan established and ran the London-based tourism & leisure consultancy practice of Coopers & Lybrand (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) for 11 years, before going on to head up the leisure development arm of Arlington Securities Plc, where he was responsible not only for the development of Port Solent marina complex in Portsmouth, but also the Wisley Golf Club and a number of restaurants, food courts and wine bars. Subsequently he spent 2 years working with Albert Roux before spending 7 years as Managing Director & Group Finance Director of Grant Leisure Group, a museums and attractions consultancy, leaving to establish Petersham Group .

Jonathan has worked as developer, operator or consultant, in property development, creating visitor attractions, museums, restaurants and a wide range of other leisure facilities.

Museums, historic properties and UNESCO World Heritage sites have been a particular feature, including the National Museum of Antiquities in Stockholm, the Museum of British History and the Natural History Museum, the Houses of Parliament and HM The Tower of London.

The preparation of business cases to support contentious planning applications is another strength which Jonathan has honed over a number of years, helping to secure planning consents for new and growing businesses, involving hotels, golf courses, leisure complexes and a farm shop.

Much of his work in the last 10 years has focused on strategic planning and business appraisals for new attractions, and in the compilation of business plans and associated financial model both as a pre-cursor to fund raising, or as an integral part of the fund raising process.

Examples include:

  • Kelmscott Manor – business planning for the enhancement of the former country home of William Morris, of the English Arts and Crafts Movement, following the successful Round 2 grant application to the HLF
  • Silverstone Interactive Museum – business planning for a major new £20m visitor experience which opened in 2021, the project also includes accessible archive and heritage tours across the wider Silverstone site in Northamptonshire. The plan secured a £9.1m HLF grant and substantial funding from 5 local authorities and two LEPs

Jonathan is experienced in the structuring of leisure enterprises, whether commercial or charitable, or a combination of the two & has a deep understanding of how to maximise revenues and profitability through tailored structuring.

His consultancy assignments have taken him throughout the UK and Europe and to the Far East, the Middle East, North America, Central Asia and extensively across Africa. This worldwide exposure is invaluable in being able to identify development benchmarks and trends from a truly international perspective.

In 2018, Jonathan decided to step down as Chairman of Petersham Group and retire from day to day involvement in the business of the company but we are delighted that he continues to bring his knowledge, experience and expertise to Petersham Group on a more informal basis as a senior associate, a role in which he is much valued.

Testimonials

Jonathan Rounce produced an exceptional business plan for us re Kelmscott Manor. What impressed us was the amount of time he spent at our historic property, talking to staff and volunteers to really understand the nuts and bolts of the way our business operates, its strengths and its weaknesses. His thoroughness and attention to detail was second to none, and his forward projections are prudent, considered, and realistic. Jonathan was most impressive at meetings with funders, several of whom have commented on the quality of the business plan, it’s detail and robustness and the confidence it provided them in the future sustainability of our property. I cannot recommend Jonathan highly enough.
John Lewis, General Secretary, Society of Antiquaries of London (the owners of Kelmscott Manor)
The success of our Round II funding application to the HLF and a number of associated funding approaches to local authorities and local enterprise partnerships were greatly helped by the business planning and financial modelling undertaken by Jonathan. He consistently provided full, reasoned and prompt inputs, deadlines notwithstanding. The £20m+ project is now underway with a scheduled launch date in early Spring 2019.
Sally Reynolds, CEO, Silverstone Heritage Limited
There are few people in the leisure attractions industry with the depth and breadth of knowledge that Jonathan Rounce brings to the table and, when it comes to business planning, operators require accurate and robust financial projections which Petersham deliver time and again.
Jon Patrick, Director, Head of Leisure & Development, Christie + Co
Jonathan has served me well over two projects I have started over the last four years. He provided me with valuable insight in my travel and leisure businesses and built up the business plans for our company. I would not hesitate to retain his services again and highly recommend him as a man of considerable experience and integrity.
Founder & Managing Director, Life Unlimited Ltd
I cannot speak too highly of the quality of advice and planning provided by Jonathan Rounce. The decision making process within Parliament is complex but he won the confidence of officials and Committees of both Houses by his understanding of the building and the issues involved, and the clarity of his written and verbal reports.
Assistant Serjeant at Arms, House of Commons

Profile

Jonathan N Rounce

FCA FIH

Stats

A qualified hotelier and chartered accountant who has worked across the international leisure & hospitality industry at progressively senior levels embracing general management, financial directorship and management consultancy.
Senior roles in finance & general management with Hallway Hotel (Overseas) Ltd, Penta Hotels NV, Arlington Securities Plc and with the Roux Brothers in addition to leisure consultancy posts with Coopers & Lybrand and Grant Leisure Group Ltd before founding Petersham Group.
Address:
333 Petersham Road
Richmond
Surrey
TW10 7DB
UK
T. +44 (0)208 332 7523
M. +44 (0)7740 304110
E. jonathan.rounce@petershamgroup.com
S. petershamjr1

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