http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/ en gcopeman@thegoring.com Copyright 2012 2012-04-27T14:32:56+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/chairmans_report_agm_2012_23rd_april_2012/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/chairmans_report_agm_2012_23rd_april_2012/#When:14:32:56Z I am delighted that we are able to enjoy the hospitality of The Connaught for our Annual General Meeting this year.  The hotel played such an important part in the training and careers of so many of our members, it is a real pleasure to be able to spend time here now together, where since the refurbishment and development of the hotel, now with the capacity to host us in their glorious, new Ballroom.  The General Manager of The Connaught, Nathalie Seiler-Hayaz extends her apologies that an overseas trip has sadly precluded her from joining us for our Reception later, however I would like to take this moment to thank her and her team for their terrific support and for their warm welcome. Looking back over the last year, my thanks also go to David Broadhead who handed the role of Chairman over to me at our AGM at The Savoy last April.  The Society was good health and had been reinvigorated with the investment in the Savoy Society Mentoring Programme, and indeed through David’s leadership, we were delighted to then welcome as Associate Members those participating in the programme.  I believe this initiative has enhanced our membership and relevance, ensured the longevity of the Society and lays the foundation for a growing and strengthened association for the future. For our award-winning Mentoring programme in this last year, Springboard have once again been wonderful supporters, providing the selection and training for the new year’s intake of students, which has grown from 15 in its inaugural year, to 26 in 2010 and now 41 mentees in 2011’s intake.  We have 11 universities involved and an ever growing pool of talented young people eager to participate.  The value of this programme is enormous, not just to the mentees selected, to the mentors that lend their support, enthusiasm and commitment to the programme, but also to the Savoy Society as an organisation, raising our profile within the industry, at Universities and within the press.  I ask all our members to consider becoming a mentor for the programme, and to please contact any member of the Committee to discuss this further. Our programme of events in the past year was hugely supported by both members and guests, so we believe offered the perfect range of venues.  At the beginning of July I was delighted to welcome you all to The Goring, for our Beach Party – the event was sold-out and seemed to be enjoyed by everyone in attendance, even if we didn’t get around to limbo dancing or a steel drum masterclasses the sun kept shining and the rum certainly flowed!  The Autumn saw another sold-out event, with a first for the Society joining our generous host Aaron Whitelock with Rhubarb at The Royal Albert Hall.  It was a privilege to be able to explore the Hall as well as enjoy everyone’s company for such a lively and delicious cocktail reception. To herald the Christmas Season our Christmas Cracker was hosted by The Westbury and new member Ashley Shaw, and once again a capacity turn-out provided the best way to get into the festive spirit. Looking ahead to the coming year, as well as our Reception after this meeting, we already have announced our Summer venue - thanks to the support of Will Oakley we look forward to seeing you all at The Cadogan on Monday 2nd July, and then for our Back to Work cocktail party in September, we shall be welcomed by Ian Campbell at The Caledonian Club in Belgravia on Tuesday 11th. All of these events have been supported by our major wine sponsor, Enotria, their Chief Executive Alison Levett and her team, to whom we extend our heartfelt thanks.  We look forward to continuing this wonderful relationship, and indeed, to enjoying their wonderful wines this evening and at future events, including some ideas we have for fun with wine tasting too. Our Society can only be as good as the members within it and I ask each of you to lend your full support in the coming year – engage with each other using our Website and LinkedIn group, commit to and attend the events that are planned throughout the year, become a Mentor and encourage new members to join and to build the membership of the Society.  Of course so much of what we are all able to enjoy is only possible through the committed support of your Committee and I would like to thank the entire team for the help they have extended over this last year.  It has not always been easy - securing event venues, driving sponsorship, encouraging attendance - but everyone has been unstinting in their work and support.  Sadly at this meeting a few faces of the Committee will be changing – Rupert Elliott joined our ranks after the last AGM, although has already been forced to step down taking on a new challenge in Botswana.  Rory Slater has been a fantastic supporter over this last year, but he too must now step down due to relocation – for him the call to Beijing.  Of other members of the committee, two have been instrumental in our success for several years – Miles Pooley and Mark Yates have both been exceptionally supportive, and I am sure you will all join me in thanking them most sincerely for their dedication to the Society – Miles is stepping down entirely and Mark relinquishing his role as Treasurer that he has provided for some years.  Gentlemen, I thank you all. I look forward to the year ahead and hope that everyone will continue to treasure their membership of Savoy Society, to maintain and build the wonderful relationships we forge between members and continue to ensure the Society flourishes throughout the coming years. 2012-04-27T14:32:56+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/the_agm_2012/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/the_agm_2012/#When:14:05:33Z Dear Member, Please note the information for the Annual General Meeting to be held at 6.00pm on Monday 23rd April at The Connaught Hotel is now available on the website. The event is free for members, but please sign up on-line to register that you will be attending. The meeting is only open to members, however, we welcome guests to the cocktail reception from 6.45pm, and payment for their attendance should be made in advance via the website. View the Events Diary. The Agenda for the Savoy Society 2012 AGM is also now available for you to download directly by clicking the link below. View the Agenda. We look forward to seeing you there!  Kindest Regards, Graham Copeman Chairman, The Savoy Society General Manager, The Goring 2012-04-03T14:05:33+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/save_the_dates/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/save_the_dates/#When:14:37:59Z Spring seems to be edging ever closer, which must mean our Annual General Meeting is just around the corner. Block the date in your diary MONDAY 23RD APRIL! I am thrilled to announce that this year’s AGM will take us to The Connaught - an hotel that played such a special part in many of our careers, and now after its regeneration has the capacity to host such an important event in our calendar.  The Connaught’s General Manager, Nathalie Seiler Hayez, looks forward to welcoming us all and I am sure it will be a lovely evening to both reminisce of the old and to explore the new. Full details will be released soon, but save the date and we look forward to seeing you there on 23rd April! Remember the AGM itself is strictly for members only (both paid-up Full Members and current Associate Members), but the meeting will be followed by a Reception to which guests and friends are welcome to join us. http://www.the-connaught.co.uk/ http://www.enotria.co.uk/ Since you have your diary to hand – another date to mark is our Summer event which will be hosted by Will Oakley at The Cadogan on Monday 2nd July. Take a look at the members’ only Special Offers section of this website for a generous invitation from Will to make the most of the wonderfully innovative and utterly British restaurant Great Taste at The Cadogan throughout March. 2012-03-09T14:37:59+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/happy_new_year_2012/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/happy_new_year_2012/#When:17:14:57Z Wishing all our members, sponsors and friends a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.  Here’s looking forward to another exciting year - the Diamond Jubilee, London 2012 Olympics, and of course plenty of terrific Society events to enjoy too! Plans are under way for our next event, towards the end of February – working with our friends at Enotria, offering something a little bit different for the Society and a chance sample and enjoy some fabulous wines from their portfolio.  Keep your eyes peeled for news and sign up quickly once the date is announced – all our recent events have been fully subscribed, so be sure not to miss out! I am sure you will all join me in sending heartfelt congratulations to our member, supporter and friend Willy Bauer, who has been recognised for services to our industry in the New Year’s Honours List, as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire – Willy Bauer OBE, we salute you! Happy New Year, everyone! Graham Copeman Chairman, The Savoy Society General Manager, The Goring 2012-01-01T17:14:57+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/our_christmas_cracker/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/our_christmas_cracker/#When:20:40:09Z Thank you to everyone that joined us at The Westbury on the evening of Monday 5th December for another terrific event. It was wonderful to see so many friends at our Savoy Society Christmas Cracker; past colleagues, long standing members and new recruits, Associate Members, guests and friends. The Westbury’s stylish Christmas decorations and Steve’s atmospheric Vibes playing added to the atmosphere, as we had chance to talk and laugh, catch up and make new friends, and really get into the festive spirit. Our thanks go to the team at The Westbury for their support of our event, providing a wonderful venue and looking after us so well. Once again we were thrilled that our wine partners, Enotria, could support the event and this time indulged us with fabulous Champagne Jacquart, the golden full-bodied Ken Forrester Reserve Chenin Blanc from Stellenbosch and the velvety rich Portuguese Quinta Do Crasto Douro.  Thank you to everyone that could join us, it was fabulous to see you all. To everyone there and all our members and friends that couldn’t make it, on behalf of your committee, once again I wish you a very happy Christmas and all the very best for the year ahead. View the Christmas Cracker photo album. www.westburymayfair.com www.enotria.co.uk Graham Copeman Chairman, The Savoy Society General Manager, The Goring 2011-12-08T20:40:09+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/chri/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/chri/#When:12:34:46Z Christmas seems to approach earlier every year - the shops and streets are already decorated and lit ready for the festive season, I admit to having had my first mince pie of the season long ago, although I have not quite tackled the gift shopping list yet! Before you freeze in the wintry chill or your credit card melts, come and join us at The Westbury, Mayfair for our Christmas Cracker Celebration. 2011-11-15T12:34:46+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/september_cocktail_party_announced/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/september_cocktail_party_announced/#When:09:46:16Z We are delighted to announce the date is set for our next cocktail party - so mark it in your diary, sign up and join us on Tuesday 20th September for wines, canapés and great company, as memories of summer holidays fade and the busy Autumn season gets under way. To find out more and reserve your place visit the event detail page. 2011-08-23T09:46:16+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/summer_cocktail_party1/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/summer_cocktail_party1/#When:09:38:47Z As the steel drums played, the palms swayed, and yes, even the sun was shining, we welcomed over a hundred members and guests of the Savoy Society to the beach at The Goring for our Summer Cocktail Party. It was a terrific turn-out and gave us all plenty of chance to catch up with friends and past colleagues, make new contacts - and even to celebrate David Cowdery’s birthday too!  Some ventured onto the sand and made the most of having a beach in SW1 and everyone seemed to enjoy the prospect of the canapés, wines and rum punch as the steel drum trio serenaded us with the sounds of the Caribbean.  Our Mustique themed canapé menu included cold canapés of Smoked salmon tartlets with lime creme fraiche, Herb rolled goats cheese with spicy plum chutney and Chilli crab with avocado and ginger.  Hot canapés of Coconut fried shrimps with pineapple salsa, Curried yam pithivier with red pepper dip and Jerk chicken wings were followed by the sweet selection of Pina Colada jelly shot glasses, Flavoured cornets and dangerously more-ish Banana fritters with chocolate rum sauce. The wines were kindly supplied by Boutinot, and on behalf of the Society, I would like to thank Danny Spencer for their generous support.  Nigel Wilkinson and Bea Pascuel of the Boutinot team joined us for the evening and were able to share plenty of information about their company; a UK based international wine business that not only represents a portfolio of over 800 wines they are exclusive agents for around 150 producers around the world and even have their own wine production sites too.  For more information about the company please see their website www.boutinot.com or contact the team directly and let them know you enjoyed their wines at our party! Thank you to everyone that joined the fun and a warm welcome to the new members that joined us on the night.  We look forward to seeing you all at our next event, with plans currently underway, our Back To Work Cocktail party in September. View the Summer Cocktail Party photo album. 2011-07-09T09:38:47+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/summer_party_2011_photos_uploaded/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/summer_party_2011_photos_uploaded/#When:12:57:52Z Photographs from our wonderful Summer Beach Party are now available to view online. Click here to see the slideshow in your web browser. 2011-07-08T12:57:52+00:00 http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/a_full_house_for_the_party_and_a_note_on_dress_code_too/ http://www.savoysociety.org.uk/index.php/latest_news/view/a_full_house_for_the_party_and_a_note_on_dress_code_too/#When:10:17:35Z The Summer Cocktail Party is now fully subscribed, so thank you to everyone that has signed up and for encouraging your guests and potential new members to join us too. We look forward to seeing you in The Archive Room at The Goring from 6pm on Monday 4th July. The weatherman (who we trust implicitly!!) says that we can expect a sunny evening, so fingers crossed the showers stay away and we can all enjoy the beach too! A few members have voiced concern over the dress code for the evening – rest assured, it is NOT a fancy dress party! Since many of us will be coming on straight from work, the norm will consequently be usual business attire - but chaps are welcome to lose the tie if you’re feeling reckless and enjoying the glorious British summer! The beach theme extends to just the surroundings, food and entertainment, but if you fancy donning smart summer wear, glamorous summer frocks and the like please do – think Sandy Lane rather than Bondi, long linen trousers and panama hats rather than boardshorts and bandanas! We look forward to seeing you there! Graham Copeman Chairman, The Savoy Society General Manager , The Goring 2011-07-01T10:17:35+00:00