BLAISE THOMAS VINCENT - DE SOUZA
42 Bulstrode Gardens , Hounslow .Middlesex TW3 3AJ
E-mail: desouza.blaise@gmail.com : Mobile +44 7553 749150
PROFILE
I have a broad range of Operational /Resource Management experience in major customer driven organizations and cover
the Airline, Logistics and Hospitality industries and have a track record of driving business transformation and consistently
achieving commercial, financial and strategic targets. I am diplomatically assertive with communication, presentation and
team building skills and the ability to motivate teams from different cultural backgrounds. An energetic and innovative
individual committed to delivering excellent Customer Services and thrives in challenging leadership roles
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS:
Re Engineering the DHL Express courier business in Tanzania including managing the design and build of a $2m state
of the art Operations Centre .,achieved Revenue growth in excess of 20% yoy and increased the Customer base by 25
% by introducing additional distribution points across Tanzania and significantly improved the KPI targets.
Improved Arrivals Customer Services Performance for British Airways across LHR resulting in significant
improvement in Customer satisfaction Targets
Member of the British Airways Management Project Teams responsible for the transfer of BA flights from Terminal 3
to Terminal 4 in 1986 and again in 2007 the transfer of BA flights from Terminals 1 and 4 to Terminal 5 .
Introduction of simplified Transfer Baggage Segregations Policy across the BA network resulting in significant reduction
in transfer baggage short shipment rates.
Restructuring of the British Airways Baggage, Loading and Aircraft Handling departments in Terminal 4 at LHR
Merging the Aircraft Cleaning and Security checks for BA European Operation at LHR.
Training Ground Handling Agents and conducting Ramp audits across the BA Network
Astra Aviation UK – Business Development Manager (Temp assignment) April 2015 to current
General Manager -Tanzania Serengeti Adventure Ltd – Oct 2013 to Feb 2015
I gained valuable experience in the Hospitality Industry and achieved significant productivity improvements and also
achieved 5 star * reviews from all guests that we hosted .
General Manager - Msasani Slipway Ltd Jan 2013 to Sept 2013
Managing a portfolio of outlets in a premier Shopping and Leisure complex in Dar es Salaam
Managing Director DHL Express - Tanzania Jan 2009 to Dec 2012
Manage, develop and expand the DHL Express business in Tanzania providing direction and leadership, ensuring
profitable growth, delivering KPI and significantly enhancing market share / Brand positioning and acknowledged as
the leading provider of the Courier Services in Tanzania (Revenue $ 6million and EBIT 20%) .Revenue increase in
excess of 20 % yoy and consistently achieved stretched EBIT Targets.
Making Customer more successful by ensuring that we were flexible to their needs .
Developed relationships with Customs and Senior Government Representatives in the Ministry of Transport to ensure
DHL had a level playing field and the opportunity to significantly grow its business in Tanzania.
I managed the design and build of 2000sqm operations facility at Dar es Salaam International Airport on time and on
budget and this facility significantly improved performance and reduced operational costs.
British Airways PLC: Jun 1994 to Dec 2008
Arrival Services & Network Coordination Manager – Heathrow Airport Oct 2006 to Dec 2008
Manage the Passenger Arrivals Services department across London Heathrow Airport in order to meet performance
targets whilst ensuring compliance with health, safety and security requirements
Maintains operational stability by ensuring Baggage Arrivals processes and associated systems work effectively,
taking corrective action as necessary to ensure performance objectives were met. Sole interface with all of the BA
Stations served from LHR and the focal point for the strategic development and continuous improvement of the BA
stations in relation to baggage performance.
Introduced Transfer Baggage segregation across the BA Network on all flights arriving into London Heathrow Airport
and responsible for managing the Baggage Disruption Control Centre during times of operational disruption.
Manager - Ramp Operations Network Compliance and Development Aug 2000 – Sep 2006
Manage the implementation of Operational Best Practice for Ground Handling across the network and represented
BA at Ground handling Forums.
Introduced a revised Transfer Baggage Segregation process and operational procedures resulting in significantly
improving baggage short shipped performance for British Airways.
Ground Handling Manager (Shift) – Heathrow Airport Jun 1999 – Jul 2000
Shift Manager covering the Ground Handling of all BA flights ( 600 movements ) operating from LHR which included
Pushback ,Towing , Loading , Baggage , Cabin Cleaning , TSU , Water , Catering and de-icing during the winter periods .
Manager -Aircraft Loading and Transfer Baggage – Terminal 4 LHR Apr 1997 – May 1999
Responsible for the Aircraft Loading (800 staff) and Transfer Baggage Service (400 Staff) teams handling all BA flights
operating from Terminal 4 at London Heathrow Airport.
Business Planning Manager - Aircraft Movements LHR (200 staff) May 1996 – Mar 1997
Business Planning for the Towing , Pushback , Aircraft Wash/ de Icing and Ancillary services provided by the Aircraft
Movements team at LHR
Shift Operation Manager - Flight dispatch (Catering) –LHR (600 Staff) Jun 1994 – Apr1996
Responsible on shift for the Catering Operations for all BA Long haul flights at LHR.
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Aviation & Airport Services Ltd - Station Operations Manager Heathrow Nov 1991- May 1994
Managing on shift over 200 staff responsible the Cabin Appearance, Cleaning & Security checks for all British Airways
European & Domestic flights operating from London Heathrow Airport .
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British Airways PLC: May 1978 to Oct 1991:
Resource Manager -Baggage Services Terminal 4 Jul 1990 – Oct 1991
Implementing the Business Resources Plan for a team of 600 staff and a key member of the Team. Negotiating with the
Trade Unions to introduce standard working practices to improve Cost and Operational Performance.
Management Development Programme. Apr 1989 – Jun 1990
The Management Development Programme was a “Fast Track” programme designed to develop up to 12 individuals in a
number of different disciplines within British Airways by giving real work experience across a range of departments with the
objective of taking on Senior Management roles. I successfully completed the following assignments:
Passenger Services – Introduction of “ Team working “ at Gatwick Airport
Terminal Control, Load Planning and Flight Dispatch.
Birmingham Airport: Hub & Spoke Operations & Code share development
Commercial Assignments - Hong Kong, Athens, and Lagos.
Aircraft Services Controller – Ramp Operations LHR –AC Movements Oct 1987 – Mar 1989
Senior Resource Planner - Terminal 4 Project Jun 1984 – Sep 1987
Accounting Officer (Overseas Stations) Stations Accounting May 1978 – May 1984
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Hydron Europe (Contact lens manufacturing) --- Assistant Cost Accountant Nov 1977 – Apr 1978
Haines Watts (Chartered Accountants) --- Trainee Accountant Jun 1976 – Oct 1977
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
GCE O’levels in English, Accounting, Physical Science, Mathematics, Biology.
Pitman Examinations Institute Bookkeeping Intermediate and Advanced Certificate s
GCE - A ’ levelsin Law, Economics and Accounting
Higher National Diploma in Business Studies (Conversion Course)
British Airways – Load Control Certificate :
British Airways – Management Development Programme
DHL Express - Country Manager Development programme and Certificate International Specialist .
Languages: English & Swahili (spoken) : Hobbies: Travel and Sport.