Our Team

Jim Bignal Chairman

Jim Bignal set up Cavendish Hospitality in 1981 which quickly established a reputation for high quality innovative hospitality. He was a prime mover in setting up the Corporate Hospitality Association in the late 1980’s. Cavendish was a Founder Member of the Association with Jim on the initial working committee. He became Chairman in the early 1990’s. Jim has considerable experience in major event hospitality through his involvement in three Rugby World Cups 1999, 2003 and 2007, Rugby League World Cup 2000 and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.

Chris Bruton – Chief Executive

Chris Bruton has been in the hospitality sector for over a quarter of a century. He has been involved with Cavendish since its inception in 1981. He is also a past chairman of the Corporate Hospitality Association and the Campaign for Real Ale. Chris set-up and ran the Central Office for Rugby Hospitality 2003, the officially appointed hospitality organiser for the Rugby World Cup 2003. This AU$82m (Euros 52m) company provided high quality hospitality for over 53,000 VIP corporate guests. He was the main point of contact between Rugby Hospitality 2003 and IMG, Rugby World Cup’s commercial advisors. Chris wss also Chief Executive of Cricket Hospitality 2007, the officially appointed agency for ICC Cricket World Cup 2007. Cricket Hospitality 2007’s offices were based in Barbados. Chris is a regular speaker on corporate hospitality issues.

Simon Gillespie Managing Director – Cavendish Hospitality

Simon Gillespie, the Cavendish Managing Director, has had over twelve years experience in sales and marketing of corporate hospitality programmes. His experience in the provision of high quality sponsors’ hospitality programmes at both the summer and winter Olympics is also proving highly valuable in our offer to clients.

Philip Driver – Sales Director

Phil has worked in a sales capacity in the corporate hospitality industry since 1989 and has been the Cavendish Sales Director since 1999. His knowledge of the industry and a fundamental appreciation of the requirements of corporate clients is invaluable to the Company. He has achieved an excellent balance between face-to-face client meetings, telemarketing and direct mail.

Robin Sherry – Sales Manager – Sponsors Hospitality

Robin has a comprehensive understanding of the workings of the corporate hospitality industry and is now working exclusively promoting the company’s services to sponsors (both sport and the arts) who are looking to maximise their sponsorship spend. Robin’s expertise lies in providing consultancy services to the sponsorship industry on how to maximise the hospitality brand experience. Recent projects include work with major Blue Chip Companies at Rugby World Cup 2007, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs Exhibition and Ascot Racecourse.

Chris Proserpi HCIMA – Catering Consultant

In a career spanning 25 years in the corporate hospitality industry and having acted as Director of Major Events with both Sodexho and the Compass Group, Chris has an unrivalled in-depth experience and knowledge of the planning and operational delivery of catering services at some of the UK’s best known sporting events and prestige venues.

He has held responsibility for the provision of the corporate hospitality services at four Ryder Cups, the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and Rugby World Cup 1999, in addition to overseeing the catering operation at The Open Golf Championships, The Henley Royal Regatta, Royal Ascot, Lord’s, The Chelsea Flower Show, Murrayfield and Twickenham as well as the Paris and Farnborough Air Shows.

He has also directed the catering at many famous venues and state occasions, including The Royal Albert Hall, The Mansion House, The Institute of Directors and Buckingham Palace Garden Parties.

Wendy Gray – Senior Event Manager & Front-of-House Consultant

Wendy has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. Of the major sporting events, she has worked on Rugby World Cup 1999 in the UK and France, the Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 in the Caribbean. However, it is her day-to-day involvement in the hospitality industry and the resulting experience that will provide the greatest value to our clients.

David Turnbull – Marketing Consultant

David has over 20 years experience in the design profession working for many blue chip companies. He now runs his own business, Design Centric (http://www.designcentric.co.uk). His particular expertise is in his ability to assimilate complex tasks and break them down into manageable projects. This proves particulary helpful when dealing with complex online systems and general marketing issues. He has worked as a consultant to HiP since its formation and continues to be a helfpful source of inspiration and an apt project coordinator. He is a valuable part of the HiP team. Cavendish also use Design Centric’s powerful email marketing tool MailCentric. For more information, please visit http://www.mailcentric.co.uk