Head Chef Matt | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Which seasonal or local ingredient are you most thrilled to have back in the kitchen right now? While our chefs constantly source local ingredients from our suppliers, my current favorite produce is grown right here on-site. You can't get more local than your own garden! Thanks to our dedicated garden team, we’ve enjoyed an abundant harvest of cherry tomatoes, beetroot, cavolo nero, rainbow chard, chillies, curly kale, celeri

Rob Mills, Head of Grounds | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Say hello to Rob, our Head of Grounds! Rob and his team are responsible for keeping our 95 acres looking pristine, as well as maintaining the heritage of our landscape, and seasonal upkeep - ensuring the Club always looks its absolute best. Take us back to the beginning, what did your path look like before you joined us as Head of Grounds and Gardens at The Odney Club? I have been the head of grounds and gardens a

Nicole | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith We caught up with Nicole, our Conferencing & Events Team Leader, to get the inside scoop on what happens behind the scenes. Let’s start with the basics, what’s your current role, and how long have you been part of the Odney team? I am the Events & Conferencing Team Leader and have been working at Odney since April 2025. I have always been in the event industry, having studied this at Winchester University. Balancing corporate booking

Written by Ellie Wiles. At The Odney Club, we don't just work in the community – we actively support it! We’re incredibly proud to champion Elizabeth House, Cookham, as our chosen charity for 2026. Spearheading our fundraising adventures and heading up the mission is our amazing Conference Co-ordinator, Tammie Hawkins. 'Elizabeth House is a charity incredibly close to my heart. Losing both of my parents before they had a chance to grow old. This taught me that reaching your g

Say hello to Tigerlily, one of our incredible Activities Team Leaders! From having your usual drink ready at the bar to welcoming you poolside with a smile, Tiger is a familiar face to all. We caught up to hear what she and the team have in store for your little ones over the holidays! Tigerlily | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith When did your journey with the Partnership begin? My journey with the Partnership began in 2021 in John Lewis High Wycombe café. I was there for ei

Craig | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Meet Craig, one of our brilliant chefs here at The Odney Club! Whether he’s preparing your morning breakfast and brunch or crafting the perfect lunch for our delegates, Craig brings a wealth of flavour to the table, inspired by his previous culinary adventures around the globe. When did you begin at The Odney Club? Which kitchens or culinary experiences shaped your career? I joined The Odney Club in October of last year. As for what s

Ellie | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith We’d like to introduce Ellie, The Odney Club’s resident Graphic Designer! From the dining menus to the children's stamper trails, Ellie creates a huge variety of materials for the club and wider hotels. Simply put: if it’s printed and it makes your Odney experience better, it likely passed Ellie’s desk! Tell us about your path to the Partnership. How does your previous experience influence your day-to-day work now? I’m a 'Partnership

Ricky is a familiar face to everyone here at The Odney Club. As a vital member of our grounds team, he wears many hats, but one of his most important seasonal tasks is the restoration of our rowing boats. Take a look behind the scenes at how we maintain one of your favourite parts of the Club! Video by Partner Tom Smith

Bethany | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Say hello to Bethany, our Activities Manager! Whether she's managing the pool, the dog paddock, or our action-packed Zumba and archery sessions, Bethany keeps the Club buzzing. She’s also our resident visionary for fun, constantly dreaming up fresh member events like our Easter festivities and the hit Scarecrow Trail. You've made such an impact in such a short time. What did your journey look like before you came to The Odney Club?

Andrew | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Meet Andrew, just one of our many fantastic members here at Odney. We caught up with him recently to hear, in his own words, what the club means to him. Tell us a little about yourself... I’m nearing 74 now, and I spent most of my life in the world of hydraulics engineering, building machines that were shipped all over the globe. But 25 years ago, I decided on a complete change of pace. It was a bit of an accidental career move; we w

Kadeesha | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Kadeesha tell us a bit about you... Beyond the bar at The Odney Club, you’ll usually find me with a book in hand. Reading isn’t just a hobby for me; it’s a part of who I am. As an only child, books and crafts were where I found my first 'siblings' and my sense of community. I’ve always loved the escapism of stories, the way you can know a character inside and out until they feel like a true friend. To me, the magic of a book swap i

Tracy | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Meet Tracy! From the care of our Odney ducklings to the creative flair that keeps the Manor looking spectacular every season, Tracy is the heartbeat of our welcome! Join us at our beautifully refurbished reception as we sit down with her to discuss the past, the present and the art of looking after our Partners and Members, get to know Tracy below! How long have you been part of the Partnership, and what did your career look like befo

Joshua | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Let's start at the beginning: How did you start as a housekeeper, and what path led you to join our team? While my background is in account management, I shifted into housekeeping to find a career that harmonises better with my personal health and family priorities. I'm pleased that this role still enables me to contribute my strong work ethic and dedication to a respected team. The inside scoop: What's one aspect of your role that y

Suzanne | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Could you tell us about your role and walk us through a typical day in the life of looking after the club? Honestly, there's no such thing as a "typical day," which is exactly why I love it! With a massive and varied team like ours, I'm always dealing with something new. One minute I'm having a one to one with one of my direct reports, the next I'm analysing our financial performance, then thinking up new ways to absolutely delight

Brad | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith What does a typical day as a groundsman look like? Honestly, there is never a typical day of work for the Grounds Team. Yes, there are certain tasks that we do more regularly than others; such as keeping on top of the lawns and maintaining the sports pitches, but with the changing of seasons and unpredictable weather we have to be adaptable. It's important that we keep on top of the work in whatever environment we are in - all seasons!

Ania | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how your journey with in Partnership began and what you were doing before joining? Customer service has been the common thread throughout my diverse career, shaping my roles in sales, coaching, personal training and even as a chef and front-of-house manager while living in the USA. While I consider raising my two children to be my most rewarding job, I have always balanced my professional life

James | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Could you talk us through a 'typical' day working in The Manor? I don’t think there is a typical day in The Manor. Some evenings are focused on fine dining, while others revolve around our lively monthly events, like quiz or open mic night. For the team, these are definite standout shifts. It’s the perfect environment for anyone who thrives on being busy and enjoys a varied routine. Going beyond just a personal favourite, which drink

Claire | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Could you talk us through a 'typical' day working in the kitchen garden. A typical summer’s day in the kitchen starts with an early watering session in the greenhouse where we grow chilli's, tomatoes, watercress, basil and other tender plants. Thankfully we have a watering system set up in the kitchen garden so I don’t have to start too early! Then I start harvesting the fruit and veg for the chefs. Weeds are the gift that keeps on g

James | Photographed by Partner Tom Smith Hello, I'm the Head Gardener here at Leckford Abbas. It’s hard to believe it’s been six months since I arrived at what was essentially a blank canvas, with the freedom to take the reins and revitalise the kitchen garden. My goal from day one has been to cultivate an experience for our guests that is rooted in quality and surprise. Here I wanted to move beyond the expected and introduce more interesting produce, such as our carrots, fo

Tom | Photographed by Partner Ellie Wiles Can you share a bit about your role and what a typical day as a content creator involves? My role is wonderfully varied. On any given day, I might be capturing moments around the grounds or editing photos and videos for promotions, social media, and the website. The days I enjoy most are when the terrace is alive with guests, families are exploring the gardens, and the atmosphere is buzzing. Those are the perfect opportunities to capt