Former Specialist Leisure Group chief Richard Calvert has taken the helm at the UK’s largest country club operator.
Calvert has joined The Club Company as chief executive, having been brought in by the firm’s private equity owners Epiris.
He was previously in charge of Shearings Holidays’ owner SLG for three years until it collapsed in May due to the Covid crisis, and has more than 30 years’ travel experience with brands including Tui Travel, Thomas Cook and the US-based Celebration Travel Group.
The Club Company owns 15 country clubs around the UK, seven of which have hotels and one of which has luxury private lodges, something Calvert is keen to roll out to other clubs.
Most of the clubs have championship golf courses, fitness facilities and exercise classes, spas, tennis and crèches.
Many also have conference facilities, host weddings and other events and have restaurants and bar facilities.
Calvert told Travel Weekly: “I’m delighted to be taking the helm of The Club Company with its market-leading portfolio of UK country clubs. The collection of clubs, featuring championship golf courses and state-of-the-art fitness facilities, are truly focused on wellness, wellbeing and lifestyle for its members.
“Many of these first-class country clubs are complemented by on-site hotels and luxury lodges. I am privileged to be joining a talented team who have created a robust platform for growth and excellence in customer service.”