Meet the Team

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.

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.

Laura joined us with a wealth of experience in events, having worked in Central London organising and managing large events and Weddings.

As a Duty Manager, Ellie oversees daily operations, ensuring excellent customer service and smooth running of the venue.

As a Duty Manager, Jodie oversees daily operations, ensuring excellent customer service and smooth running of the venue.

Dillan Randell, our Head Chef, brings extensive hospitality experience and joined us from Shendish Manor.

Luke has a wealth of industry knowledge and extensive hands-on experience. He oversees our maintenance and grounds teams, ensuring the highest standards are maintained.

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 has experience in finance, management and as a business analyst. She has previous senior experience at Marks and Spencer, Yodel and Ralph Lauren.

Abby manages our marketing and coordinates our own events. She has a wealth of experience in local marketing and events, having had her own freelance business for many years.

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 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 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.

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.

Sally Ilsley joined as a Director in 2024 bringing a wealth of experience in Hospitality & Business to the board. She is also the ambassador for the National Women’s Business Awards.