Richard has worked at Cotswold Conference Centre since its opening, which means he has survived more than 35 years in the hotel industry. Richard is responsible for the operational side of the business and is proud of his “brilliant” team. “They all believe in our ‘Can Do’ culture and work hard to make sure our customers are happy,” he says. Unlike Rachael, Richard does not accept bribes; unless it is a ticket to watch his football team, Chesterfield.

Nick is celebrating 30 years since he first started working at Farncombe Estate. Now Head of Sales, Nick was part of the launch team at Cotswold Conference Centre. Career highlights include winning the first ever Gold Business Tourism Award from VisitBritain. Nick has three daughters, two dogs and an indeterminate number of chickens. Has never knowingly refused cake.

Pauline joined Cotswold Conference Centre in 1999, following a successful career with one of the High Street banks. As one of her many duties, she runs the sales ledger and watch out if you don’t pay on time! Pauline loves a challenge. She and a colleague completed the Marie Curie Lady’s Driving Course last year, which saw them behind the wheels of high performance cars, double Decker buses, Heavy Goods Vehicles and JCBs.

Rachael has worked at Cotswold Conference Centre for five years, joining fresh from Lancaster University where she studied History. She is responsible for managing the corporate BDE team and the yield management of bedrooms and meeting space to fill the conference centre Monday to Friday. Accepts bribes in the form of dairy-free chocolate or shoes!

Jilly first started working for Cotswold Conference Centre in January 2001, when the organisation was in its infancy. She took a five-year gap in 2004 as a rather extended maternity leave to have two children, returning to work part time for the BDE team developing new business opportunities. Also serving as the onsite guru on all things hen related…

Debbie became Marketing Manager in 2011 following a varied career as a journalist (including family travel writer for the Daily Mail), childcare author and commercial copywriter. She works closely with Ellie to promote the Cotswold Conference Centre. Debbie has three grown-up children, three step-children and a scruffy Parson Russell Terrier called Eddie.

Dot joined the Housekeeping Team working for Group 4 in 1988 having previously worked at The Fire Service College at Moreton-in-Marsh. She was made Head Housekeeper in 1990 and transferred to Cotswold Conference Centre when it was formed, with responsibility for both weekday and weekend teams. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her seven grandchildren.

Lesley has worked in Reception at Cotswold Conference Centre since it opened 11 years ago. She is now Reception and Event Co-ordinating Manager, responsible for collating and distributing course information and the allocation of bedrooms. Lesley is your main point of contact once your event has been confirmed. Her favourite film is ‘Dirty Dancing’: Time of my Life this was the first dance at Lesley’s wedding a couple of years ago.

Mark spent 15 years working for Group 4 and three years running his own Eco marketing company before joining Farncombe Estate and Cotswold Conference Centre as Managing Director in 2010. Mark is married and spends his spare time keeping his three young boys occupied, playing Lego and taking the family’s two miniature Daschunds on challenging Cotswold walks. He is very keen on everything Eco, jazz and digital.

Kathryn has 22 years’ experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. She joined the conference team in the summer of 2011 as a Business Development Executive, specialising in new business and account management. Mother of two energetic young boys, Kathryn enjoys the peace and tranquillity of the Cotswold Conference Centre location!

Ellie joined Farncombe Estate after graduating from University of Wales, Cardiff with an Events Management Degree. She has been part of the team for more than two years and is now Online Marketing Specialist for Cotswold Conference Centre, Farncombe Estate and Dormy House Hotel. If she’s not blogging, tweeting or face- booking, she’s probably running a half-marathon.

Tim was – you could say – brought up on Farncombe Estate, as his father Eddie was Estates Manager before him. When he left school (which he couldn’t wait to do and neither could the school,) Tim joined a local building company and worked on various maintenance teams. In 1989, he joined his father’s team. On Eddie’s retirement 10 years ago, Tim took over as Estates Manger. He is immensely proud of both his team and the Estate. In his spare time, Tim can often be spotted riding his motorcycle, usually with one of his four kids on the back.

Stephanie is a qualified Chartered Accountant who first worked in Suffolk and Malvern before becoming financial controller for a local creative marketing company. She has been Financial Controller at Sorven Holdings Ltd since July 2011. Stephanie says her three children “have driven me out to work fulltime.” She relieves the stress of the day with three or four gym classes a week (favourite: Body Combat) and is planning to cycle with her husband and two friends from Malvern to work, stay over, and then cycle back.

Richard arrived on the Farncombe Estate in 1998 after 21 years in international Human Resources with Unilever. After ten rewarding years in the Sørensen security business, Richard transferred to work directly for the Chairman, providing HR support to his private portfolio of hospitality and ecology businesses. Richard is adamant that the timeless beauty of the Cotswold countryside, as seen from his office window, can only be matched by the transient beauty of the sea, as seen from the helm of his beloved sail boat. Heaven for Richard would surely be a Cotswolds with a coastline!

Sophie started her career at Cotswold Conference Centre three years ago in the Catering team and moved to reception in April 2011. She really enjoys her role welcoming delegates to our beautiful location and ensuring a high level of customer service throughout their stay. An intrepid traveller, Sophie has back-packed around Australia and completed a ski season in France.

Andy is a fairly recent addition to our management team and brings with him 20 years’ facility and event management experience. Hailing from Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, Andy began his career as a lifeguard at the local leisure centre, rising through the ranks to become Area Manager at Stratford Leisure Centre. Andy is never happier than when standing at the crease, opening the batting for his local cricket team, still looking for that elusive century.

Dave started working for Cotswold Conference Centre in the Spring of 2010 as Assistant Operations Manager, responsible of the smooth running of the week and weekend businesses. David’s career began at BBC Wood Norton Hall, a 4-star hotel and conference centre. Since his time as Duty Manager at The Evesham Hotel, with its famed vast liqueurs and wine list, he is now a connoisseur of anything alcoholic!

Rosie joined Cotswold Conference Centre in 2003, bringing with her almost 20 years of catering managerial experience. She and the catering team work tirelessly to create a memorable dining experience. Rosie is very proud of everything they do and believes a happy team is a successful team. You can almost hear her infectious laughter from Broadway Tower two miles away!

Elizabeth joined Cotswold Conference Centre in the autumn of 2011, having just graduated with a Degree in Philosophy from the University of Cambridge. She is enjoying her role as Event Coordinator for Special Interest Groups. Out of the office, Elizabeth is a keen cook, her greatest culinary achievement to date being the 144 cupcakes she prepared for her sister’s 18th birthday party.

Kerry began her working life on Farncombe estate in the Sales Office in 2003 but left later that year to pursue a more active career. Unable to tear herself away from Farncombe Estate, she transferred to the maintenance department, where she has worked her way up to Assistant Manager in charge of the ten gardeners and two other maintenance staff. Kerry lives in Broadway and enjoys any adrenaline-inducing outdoor activities with her partner and son.

Lewis, Josh and Jake are our CSAs – Conference Service Assistants – ready to help with practical and technical queries during your stay. Last seen setting up training rooms, delivering buffets and collecting people from railway stations.