What Tracy Rusbridge from Sandown Park, Kempton Park and Epsom Downs doesn’t know about exhibitions could fit on the back of a postage stamp! A truly talented professional who has built the venues’ reputation to be one of the leading exhibition centres in the country which is mirrored by the respect and fondness her clients have for this industry expert. And she’s in the little black book of many of the top location managers too having signed the venue to star in blockbuster films including Love Actually and James Bond as well as television adverts and dramas.

Michelle has worked at Exeter for twenty eight years with the last twelve of these spent developing the conference and events centre to become one of the leading venues in the South West. Her extensive knowledge and experience shines through in everything she does. You can immediately see her care and thoughtful details in both the design and specification of the event spaces. The venues’ strong customer loyalty is further testament to Michelle’s enviable reputation as a true industry champion and the high regard clients and customers have for her.

Claire Leonard takes managing sales at one of the world’s most famous venues, Aintree Racecourse, totally in her stride. Hardly surprising when you consider Claire has almost twenty years industry experience she can use to ensure the team deliver world class service and events are run to world class standards. Head of Sales for the North West sees Claire also look after Haydock Park and Carlisle.

Tom is a noted, award winning chef with over thirty years of experience in the hospitality and catering industry preparing dishes for soldiers, Olympians and Royalty alike! He now brings his skills and passion for creating mouth-watering, healthy food to the conference and events business at Cheltenham. Tom is also passionate about seasonality, provenance of ingredients and sourcing of local British produce that are farmed and caught in a sustainable & ethical way

It is essential in this fast-paced environment to be surrounded by a professional, dedicated team. At Cheltenham I am fortunate here to be with an outstanding team of people who share a genuine love of the kitchen.

Kenny holds a unique role within the portfolio. He’s based at Cheltenham being the venues’ dedicated Technical Manager for events, such is the ‘State of the Art’ audio visual capability of The Centaur! His technical knowhow is second to none with an extensive knowledge in all things ‘gadgets and gismos’. He is qualified in CAD drawing and rigging as well as being fully health & safety trained. He can often be found at the helm of the cherry picker preparing the venue’s mothergrid with lighting and speaker systems ahead of an event production companys’ arrival. Kenny and his team often work long into the night to accommodate event builds and de-rigs but he always has a bright cheery welcome for all with a smile on his face (apart from when he has to have his photograph taken that is!)

Samantha is a busy bee looking after the commercial elements of the venue at Huntingdon. With over ten years experience in the hotel industry she is keen to realise the Conference & Events potential at this gem of a venue and can often be found out and about networking at local events. She also loves the buzz of a race day, there’s just no stopping this go-getter!

A whirlwind follows Becky. Always making sure the venue is set ready to go whether she’s welcoming seventy thousand visitors on Gold Cup Day or hosting a national sales conference for a blue chip client in The Centaur at Cheltenham, nothing other than perfection will do! Mary Poppins? We think so!

Read Becky’s Blog here

When she’s not running marathons for charity Joanne is proudly selling the conference and events facilities in the North West region which includes Carlisle, Haydock Park and the world famous Aintree racecourse

Joanne is an established professional in the events industry with over 15 years experience but her passion is running and raising money for charity.  A contender for the next Grand National? Quite possibly!

Can you tell from the hat where Tina is based? Having started as a Christmas coordinator Tina is now the Senior Business Development Executive in the Conference & Events team based at Epsom Downs and loves her job, watching films, cooking and eating (we aren’t sure in which order?)

Although predominately focused on managing corporate clients this experienced event professional can help with almost any enquiry!

Tina is a former dancer trained in Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Tap so if you want a little help with your moves for when you take to the dance floor at the now legendary Epsom Christmas party nights Tina’s your girl.

Lily brings a little theatre to the Conference & Events team at Warwick having previously worked at The Royal Shakespeare company. She has a wealth of experience in organising events and weddings and is putting her talents to use creating new packages for business events, Christmas party nights and school proms. She also played a key role in the planning and running of the first Warwick marathon which was a triumphant success!

Charlotte joined The Jockey Club as an event coordinator in 2010 for Aintree where she learned her craft about what it takes to host world class events at this famous venue! Now leading the Conference & Events Sales team for the North West which includes Haydock Park and Carlisle, Charlotte inspires everyone to go the extra furlong for their clients!

Lyle with the smile! Always happy Lyle is passionate about his job looking after clients at Sandown Park, Epsom Downs and Kempton Park.

Spelt the Spanish way, Rebeca was inspired to be in the conference and events industry by her parents and boy has she gone on to conquer it! Rebeca has worked for major hotel groups and leading event agencies booking unique venues all around the world. Working for the world renowned conference and events venue Cheltenham Racecourse then is a perfect pairing!

Rebeca loves gardening, crafting, baking and has lived in thirty abodes including a castle (well who hasn’t!) in more than a dozen towns in seven counties spanning from Cornwall to North Yorkshire. And there’s more.

This talented lady has recorded three hit rock songs at The Abbey Road Studios no less with The National Rock Choir. We totally dig this Rock Chick!

Gemma joined the Jockey Club as a Regional Business Development Executive looking after the East region including both (because one isn’t enough!) venues at Newmarket, Huntingdon, Market Rasen and Nottingham

Based in the commercial office at the Rowley Mile racecourse in the Conference and Events team she has over five years of experience in Sales and Marketing and is passionate about delivering exceptional customer experience, developing customer relationships as well as going above and beyond in her role.

Outside of work Gemma is a gym bunny and loves to run often training for events. Her fitness comes in very handy we she has to sprint over to the July course to help a client!

Chris has been at Nottingham for four years looking after hospitality and conference events. Prior to this he worked for the Theatre and Concert Hall running a front of house team and looking after VIP guests. Chris originally worked in the corporate sector and would often bring his clients to Venues such as the racecourse so guests are in safe hands with Chris.

Born and raised in New Zealand Christina has a background in Investment Banking and was a competitive show jumper reaching the dizzy heights of 1.4m! Christina moved to the UK and the Conference & Events Industry so is now out and about whizzing around the South West seeing clients and venue finding agencies keeping them up to date with news from The Jockey Club Venue portfolio, most notably Cheltenham, Exeter and Warwick.

In her spare time she is actively involved with a dog charity based in Thailand and is writing a psychological thriller novel. This Kiwi has many layers!

Hannah has 15 years commercial experience in the leisure industry, 11 of which at the Jockey Club. Working as the Regional Head of Sales, Hannah’s region covers Newmarket, Market Rasen, Nottingham and Huntingdon. Each racecourse offers a variety of Hospitality, conference and events facilities, delivering premium corporate and consumer experiences.