First let me echo the tribute to Hana Tiller later on in this edition. Hana contributed so much to this Club over the years and, together with her Editorial Team, she made this magazine a jewel amongst the Club’s publications. She will be much missed and a very hard act to follow. My thanks to the Editorial Team for continuing her great work. Unseasonably warm, dry and sunny weather, both pre and post Easter, was very welcome for many and certainly contributed to some healthy takings in our F&B outlets. For the Grounds and Gardens team however, the lack of rain presented significant challenges, and it is once again a huge accolade to Neil Harvey, Aby Parrott and their teams that the grounds are as spectacular as they are and the sports surfaces in such good condition.

The last few months have been a busy time leading up to the opening of Brasserie 1869. The East Wing refurbishment looks amazing, and I am very excited that it is now only a matter of weeks until members will be dining there. The new Brasserie team are all on board and have been undergoing training under the watchful eye of our new Brasserie General Manager, Pedro Azevedo. The Chef’s nights in the Harness Room, where Chef Chris Wheeler’s new menu has been on trial, have received great feedback.

The first four or five months of 2025 have been marked by consultation with members. Two separate series of consultation meetings have taken place with several groups of members being updated about, and then giving their views on, both early-stage North and West Wing plans and potential solutions to the Club’s financial situation (see page 13). On the whole these have been conducted respectfully and have been very helpful, allowing the Committee and the Senior Leadership Team to hear the ideas and opinions of members, albeit only a small cross section.

It is important that the Club continues to develop and offer the best service, opportunities and facilities it can to members. The player fields for both the Alfred Dunhill Padel Classic and the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic are testament to this, as was the floating padel court installed on the lake for the former and available for members’ use subsequently. The floating padel court (pictured) was a triumph of the ‘how we can’ approach over the ‘why we can’t’ – a hallmark of the way staff now think about issues! Other new events this summer are based around the 150th anniversary of the Club codifying the rules of polo. Following our archivist’s excellent talk in May, there will be a VIP offering for Hurlingham members at Polo in the Park in June. There will also be an opportunity for members to watch some of the highest standards of polo in the country at the Guards Polo Club International Day in July, when England take on Brazil.

A couple of key members of staff have left the Club recently. Giammario Ragnoli, our Chief Operating Officer, has moved on to run Sopwell House Hotel in St Albans. Giammario has had a huge impact on the operational side of the Club and will be much missed. Julia Ironside, who supported me in the Club Office for the last couple of years, has also moved on, and I am sure you will join me in thanking them both and wishing them all the best in the future.

We have now welcomed Melanie Duhig, our new Governance Officer, and Samantha Jepp-Panteli, Executive Assistant, both located in the Club Office on the first floor. Rob Mackmurdie joined the Senior Leadership Team in February as Director of Technology. Rob has a background in sport, with 15 years at the Rugby Football Union and then at the Lawn Tennis Association. Rob is keen to simplify the technology provision at the Club, ensuring technology initiatives align with the Club’s long-term goals, providing both the best experience to our members and the data to inform decision making.

I conclude as I started, with a tribute to the Editorial Team who have produced a wonderful summer edition of the magazine, my thanks go to them for continuing Hana Tiller’s work serving the membership – she would be rightly proud.

MICHAEL O’DWYER, SECRETARY

THIS IS WHY………. MANNERS MATTER

With summer upon us, the Club is much busier and weare all spending more time outside. There are a few things that I’d like to remind you of so that everyone can enjoy the Club’s amazing grounds without being upset by others.

Picnics and own food

Other than for a few exceptions, only food and drinks bought in the Club may be consumed at the Club. One of the exceptions is for picnics in designated areas (the picnic area in the Playground, around the cricket pitch when a match is being played and in the Outdoor Pool enclosure). So that the beauty of the grounds isn’t spoilt for others, please do adhere to these Bye-laws.

Flora and fauna

The Estates team work hard to enhance the biodiversity in the grounds; indeed, it is now a requirement of any planning application to prove a biodiversity net gain for each project. In order that we can protect not only our biodiversity but also the lovely sights and smells of our flora and fauna, please don’t pick or otherwise damage our plants. We have a lovely cuttings table at the front door showing off what is in season, but please resist any temptations to take your own ‘cuttings’.

Keeping an eye on children and dogs 

It is surprising how often members of staff find children and dogs alone, without their parents/owners, for lengthy periods of time. The dogs are usually tied up but the children are left to roam free – both often end up in a state of distress as a result. As a reminder, children under 12 must be supervised at all times and children under 8 must be in close proximity to their parent or guardian at all times. Dogs must always be kept on a lead and under control. They may be left unattended briefly (5 minutes or so to order or collect food and drink) at hitching posts or securely at other outdoor locations, provided they remain in sight and in close proximity to their owner.

Blue Coats

To help with explaining why manners matter, and to address incidents when members’ actions are impacting negatively on others’ enjoyment of the Club, Mirko Ciriminna has joined the staff as our new Blue Coats Manager. Mirko will play a key role in resolving conduct issues and addressing any breaches of the Club’s Rules and Bye-Laws with a measured and constructive approach. Please welcome Mirko and don’t hesitate to ask for his help or advice when you are at the Club.

MICHAEL O’DYWER, SECRETARY

IT

INTRODUCING OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY

It is a pleasure to introduce myself and thank those of you I have met so far, for your warm welcome. My technology journey is very much grounded in sport and hospitality. My time here to date has been focused on getting a full understanding of the goals and ethos of the Club, and how we can align our technology to both support these and provide the best member experience, whilst using our digital tools.

As you would expect, my first months have been spent undertaking a full review of all technology currently in place at the Club, with the initial aim of simplifying the technology where appropriate and ensuring there is no unnecessary duplication or expenditure within the Club. I am also reviewing all our member systems which are of varying ages, to ensure that we can agree a prioritised and communicable timeline on upcoming changes. I look forward to sharing these in the coming months and getting to know more of you around the Club.

ROB MACKMURDIE, DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY