Sodexo Prestige, the specialist food division of Sodexo and the UK’s leading provider of corporate hospitality packages and event catering, has appointed Julian Clarke as Director of Hospitality for Ascot Racecourse.
Julian will be leading a team of 52 full time members of Ascot Hospitality consisting of a talented brigade of chefs, an experienced operational team and a creative sales and marketing team, all supported by a wealth of operational knowledge which between them have operated over 100 Royal Ascots.
In Julian’s previous company as Operations Director for Delaware North Companies UK, he headed up a newly formed division of travel and hospitality services; the position provided a great opportunity to further develop his knowledge and ability of creating and mobilising proprietary retail concepts in a very challenging and fast paced environment.
Julian was part of the Ascot Hospitality Team from 2007 to 2010, when he oversaw the operational delivery of three successful Royal Ascots. He has a true passion for Ascot and wishes to have an impact on continuing to delight customers in whatever experience they come to enjoy at the racecourse.
A devotion for great British food and impeccable service; Julian’s aim is for Ascot Hospitality to stand for innovation and to ensure that even in large catering operations, all guests are treated as individuals. Royal Ascot provides fine dining for 255 private boxes, 7 private members clubs and up to 17 hospitality restaurants. Annually Ascot Racecourse services a retail operation for up to half a million people and he is determined to meet the challenge and deliver the WOW factor.
Julian commented “Horse racing is a real passion of mine and I am looking forward to working on all the great events we have got at the racecourse this year, particularly Royal Ascot and building on the hospitality side of the business to encourage more guests to come and enjoy one of the world’s greatest annual sporting events. Whether with friends, family, colleagues or clients, horse racing’s capacity for bringing people and business together is unrivalled”
Royal Ascot 2012 (19-23 June) is on sale.
To book now or for more information please call 0844 346 0346 or email: hospitality@ascot.co.uk or visit www.ascot.co.uk