STAFF

    Claire Kirikal

    Operations Manager

    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 Butler

        Sales & Events Office Manager

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

            Lina Lasaite

            Events Co-Ordinator

            Lina is our Events Co-Ordinator, and has a wealth of experience in hospitality, planning and customer service, having worked for the UK’s leading provider of on-campus academic accommodation.

                Ellie Kirwan

                Events and Admin Coordinator

                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.

                    Fenella Stevens

                    Event Operations

                    Fenella has worked for some of the biggest and best hospitality brands.

                        Jodie Rydon

                        Team Leader

                        Jodie joined our F&B 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 & Kitchen.

                            Earl Scarlett

                            Head Chef

                            Earl joined the team, as Head Chef at Metropolitan in 2023, he has previously been Head Chef at Letchworth Golf Club.

                                Martin Smith

                                Sous Chef

                                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

                                    Estate Manager

                                    Mark is our Estate Manager, working as a consultant, he is responsible for our grounds, estate and facilities management teams, and health and safety.

                                        David Baum

                                        Gym Instructor

                                        David is a qualified personal trainer, who all gym members will meet as part of their induction, before they can use our gym.

                                            John Lewis

                                            Head of Grounds

                                            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

                                                Financial Planning & Analysis

                                                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

                                                    Marketing & Events

                                                    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.

                                                      DIRECTORS

                                                        David Rees

                                                        Managing Director


                                                        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

                                                            Chair

                                                            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

                                                                Vice Chair

                                                                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

                                                                    Director

                                                                        Sally Ilsley

                                                                        Director

                                                                        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

                                                                            Director

                                                                            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

                                                                                Director

                                                                                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.