Staff
Claire Kirikal
Claire has a wealth of experience working within the events and hospitality industry, and has worked for prestigious London venues, including private members club, Home Grown, Butlers Wharf and the HAC.
Vicky Marshall
Vicky brings a wealth of experience, with over 20 years in the hospitality industry. Her career has spanned a diverse range of roles, from front of house to management positions in accounts, HR, C&B, operations, and sales.
Laura Butler
Laura joined us with a wealth of experience in events, having worked in Central London organising and managing large events and Weddings.
George Fearn
George joined us from Shendish Manor and has over five years of experience working in hospitality, events, and sales. He brings a wealth of experience and exceptional customer service for our private hire clients.
Ellie Kirwan
Ellie is our Events and Admin Coordinator, is also responsible for memberships and bookings of our sports grounds. She ensures that all events run smoothly and efficiently.
Jodie Rydon
Jodie joined our Food and Beverage team back in 2021 working part time, whilst we she was a manager working within the education sector, and has since become a full time Team Leader for Monty’s Bar and Kitchen.
Andrew Kolvin
Andrew joined the Metropolitan as Head Chef in 2024, bringing extensive experience in hospitality and an innovative approach to elevating our dining experience.
Martin Smith
Martin joined us from The Prae Wood Arms in St Albans, he has over 10 years chef experience, and has a massive passion for food.
Mark Strugnell
Mark is our Estate Manager, working as a consultant, he is responsible for our grounds, estate and facilities management teams, and health and safety.
John Lewis
John is our Head of Grounds and joined us from Haberdashers Boys School after 11 years. John has 32 years of working in the grounds field, during this time has worked at Dame Alice Owen School, Potters Bar FC, and Potters Bar CC. John lives with his partner and has two sons and grandchildren.
Marianne Owen
Marianne has experience in finance, management and as a business analyst. She has previous senior experience at Marks and Spencer, Yodel and Ralph Lauren.
Abby Dennis
Abby manages our marketing and coordinates own events. She has a wealth of experience in local marketing and events, having had her own business for many years and is a contractor.
Director
David Rees
David Rees is Managing Director of Metropolitan, and a Director of Just Smile Ltd and has a history as Director for a number of media companies over the past 20 years. In addition to this, David has a wealth of experience in business planning & management, team leadership and in marketing for media, events, venues & leisure sectors.
Gideon Springer
Gideon Springer is a retired Chief Superintendent from the Met Police. He also served for three years in Northants Police as a Superintendent. He has been a regular attendee at the club for 25 years and lives locally. He has a great deal of leadership and management experience from a number of project management and senior police roles. He focused his career on delivering excellent community and partnership policing and was a Gold Public Order Commander for London. He was also the principal Match Commander for Chelsea Football Club.
Mark Strugnell
Mark Strugnell was a Detective Superintendent with a very varied career in local and specialist crime. Mark and his family have lived locally in Bushey/Watford area for more than twenty years. He has served on the Board of Directors for over eight years and is currently the Vice Chair.
Les Newman
Les worked throughout North London in the majority of C.I.D. roles and alongside government and specialist units, with his 35-year career ending at Camden Borough as a Detective Chief Inspector. He has lived with his family in the local area for over 30 years and has represented the club in various sports since the 80s.
Sally Ilsley
Sally Ilsley joined as a Director in 2024 bring a wealth of experience in Hospitality & Business to the board. She is also the ambassador for the National Women’s Business Awards.
Dave May
Dave has always been local to Metropolitan and joined the board from being a member with experience in banking. He worked NatWest for 42 years, the last 26 years as a Private Banking Manager in Relationship Banking, covering the Bushey area.
Kevin Harvey
Kevin is a Detective Inspector currently serving in the Metropolitan Police. His role is to help us connect with the Metropolitan Police Service and both his father before him and he have been active users of the club for many years.