Jonathan Rounce

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.

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