James Verlaque - Director of Hotels and Pubs at Bepoz

Over an impressive 25-year journey, James has become a seasoned and highly-regarded professional in Australian Hospitality. From his beginnings in electronic engineering to his current role as the Director of Hotels and Pubs at Bepoz, James's extensive experience and dedication have significantly contributed to the company's growth and success.

Background

James commenced his journey with Bepoz in 2001 after spending ten and a half years working with other POS companies and then owning and growing his POS company, Olympus.

However, if we step it back, his venture into the POS world began during his tenure at O'Brien Group, now called the Red Rock Leisure Group, where he served as a retail manager and later as an operations controller. James's role involved setting up processes and systems in venues, sparking his interest in POS systems and integrations.

James's extensive hospitality experience includes managing functions, setting up day-to-day operations, and delving into venue automation. His hands-on experience in venues allowes him to understand their needs and find unique solutions to simplify operations. This knowledge has been pivotal in leading his team to provide tailored solutions for hospitality venues.

Experience with Bepoz and Oolio

James acknowledges the company's unwavering commitment to innovation and introduction of new products and services, such as Oolio Pay. He is driven by a deep understanding of customer needs, and developing solutions based on their requirements.

His initial role at Bepoz as a sales manager in VIC marked the beginning of a four-year journey focused on penetrating the hotel market. His significant achievements include establishing over 58 new venues in South Australia. James transitioned to the role of National Sales Manager, overseeing the team's expansion across Australia, and currently holds the position of Director of Hotels and Pubs.

Highlights and Projects

James has worn multiple hats during his journey with Bepoz, evolving from Sales Manager to National Sales Manager and eventually to his current role as the Director of Hotels and Pubs. His diverse experience allows him to work closely with larger groups and venues, building and maintaining relationships which allows him to understand their needs and provide personalised solutions.

James's has also been responsible for building national relationships with the Australian Hotels Association (AHA) and winning the hearts of committee members. He takes pride in long-standing client relationships, such as David Canny of Red Lion and George Ramia of Sphinx Hotel, who has been with him from the start of his journey.

James says, "I have always been a member of AHA Vic, even before joining Bepoz. We have cultivated this relationship over 20 years to understand each other and join forces to grow the industry and help our partners and customers get more opportunities. As a part of my new role, I want to focus on building more similar relationships with associations and customers to provide growth opportunities to the community and develop the national hospitality industry."

Fun Facts about James

Outside the professional realm, James enjoys woodworking and carpentry. In his spare time, you'll find him in his shed, surrounded by thousands of tools, indulging in his passion for renovating and building.

To quote James, ''I absolutely love doughnuts'' . So don’t be shy about bribing him with some doughnuts to get the job done.

James's coffee order is a double shot latte, and he has a penchant for gin, or other white spirits. His favourite cuisine is Indian, and he relishes the spiciest curries.

If we had to summarise his multiple years and accomplishments it would be to say, James's journey at Bepoz reflects his dedication to the company's growth. He has a deep passion for understanding and addressing the needs of the hospitality industry. His leadership and commitment continue to shape the success and innovation of Bepoz and Oolio in the dynamic world of technology and hospitality.