New catering, conferencing and hospitality brand launched in drive to improve service to high levels.

Southampton Football Club announces the launch of a new catering, conferencing and hospitality company called Halo Conferences and Events ("Halo"), which will be based at St Mary's Stadium. The new company forms part of the Club's plans to enhance the fans' experience at the stadium - to make it more enjoyable, affordable and more exciting.

From 1st June 2010, Halo will be responsible for all aspects of catering, conferencing and event hospitality at Southampton Football Club, replacing our previous external supplier.

Jochen Hartmann, who has been appointed Executive Director of the company, has extensive international experience in the hospitality industry, graduating from the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne and having worked for renowned companies such as Hilton, Alain Ducasse and Do&Co. The majority of the strong team of the existing catering and events staff has decided to join him in this new venture, and he will rely on their existing knowledge to build the brand.

Jochen believes that Halo's services play a vital role in providing our fans and supporters with a high quality football experience.
Halo's main aim will be to improve quality throughout all areas of the stadium. Both the concourses and hospitality areas are set to undergo major improvements in keeping with the best-in-class standards now set by the Club.

Over the next twelve months fans on the concourses will see significant changes made to the bars and food outlets at the stadium, to ensure an improved delivery of service - an issue that fans raise regularly.

There is also the aim to include healthier and more child friendly products within the offerings on the concourses, with the intention of using local and organic produce whenever possible.

Halo is determined to become a benchmark for its quality with regards to conferencing and events within Hampshire. The hospitality facilities at St Mary's will receive major investment in order to support this vision, allowing the Club to offer a premier multi-purpose venue that exceeds the expectations of our guests.

Jochen Hartmann, Halo Executive Director, commented:

"My entire career has been spent providing a top quality catering and hospitality experience for my guests. Starting the new company, combined with Nicola's vision to be at the top of our game in everything we do, greatly appealed to me. We have a big opportunity here to build a great brand and a superb service for our fans and event customers."

Nicola Cortese, Executive Chairman, added:

"I am very happy to have been able to attract someone of Jochen's calibre to lead our catering business. I thank Compass for their contribution to date and was impressed with their desire to remain our catering supplier. The decision was made however to bring the business in-house and to develop an exciting new catering and hospitality offering for our fans and for our hospitality and corporate clients. This includes a commitment to improve our service to both matchday and non-match day customers at every level. We will have an excellent and appealing infrastructure within which we will provide a superior service, unlike any other in the local region, to both private and corporate clients. It shall be a unique experience which will see them returning to St Mary's Stadium, time and time again".

-------------------------------------------------------

Boasting 59 private Suites and Boxes, St. Mary's Stadium is not only the home of the Saints, but also a multi-purpose venue for non-match day meetings and events. Our dedicated and skilled team has helped to deliver a stunning variety of events at St. Mary's and have established a reputation for excellence with their award winning catering team helping to cement this further.

The flexibility of the stadium facilities allows for a variety of opportunities - AGM's, Banquets, Conferences, Dinners, Exhibitions, Meetings, Presentations and Seasonal Parties making the stadium the venue of choice on the South Coast. Only 90 minutes from central London, St. Mary's is well served by transport links, with a train station, international airport and 5 motorway junctions all within 5 miles of the club.

All Corporate Hospitality and Event opportunities for Southampton Football Club
An extensive range of Functions, Conferences and Events at St. Mary's Stadium
Large scale and bespoke events at the Southampton City Cruise Terminal
For further information, please contact 0845 688 9297

Becky Sivier: Sales Office Manager
Telephone: 02380 711 993
Email events@saintsem.co.uk

Samantha Hoyles: Conferences and Events Co-ordinator
Telephone: 02380 711 908
Email events@saintsem.co.uk
Office Fax: 023 8072 7731