Case Studies

Mind Body Event - First Data 

  • First Data wanted a fresh and innovative client retention event that offered the right mix of intelligent discussion, entertaining activity and “time out”. 
  • A “Mind-Body” experience was designed with a central theme of risk management, pertinent to the client’s business arena. It was delivered by two internationally renowned speakers, Frank Dick and Caspar Berry. 
  • Set within the luxurious venue of the Coombe Abbey Hotel the “Mind Session” looked at risk and what prevents us from maximising results in life.  The “Body Session” looked at how people can manage the potential risks in life in terms of health and fitness.
  • The event culminated in an evening of poker to illustrate ideas around risk and decision making.  This proved a great talking point over dinner and beyond the event. 
  • “The buzz around the session was really great – I can see it will be a conversation piece for many months to come.”  Simon Rubin, MD, First Data UK 

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Getting the Edge - Berwin Leighton Paisner

  • An interactive event, with a serious business theme, was the brief for Berwin Leighton Paisner.  A law firm, who run an annual event with their key city client
  • BLP wanted to strengthen relationships whilst enjoying a period of time-out away from the pressures of immediate workplace issues.  Our solution was to challenge them with leading edge ideas around risk taking, making decisions under pressure and their leadership role by combining the talents of three leading experts, with an engaging and creative format that didn’t feel like hard work!

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A Taste of Bordeaux  

  • Les Sources de Caudalie, voted small leading hotel of the world in 2007, has proved an exciting and fitting location for client retention events that we have delivered.  The perfect short haul venue, it combines a beautiful setting, world famous Vinotherapie Spa, world class food and links to numerous Chateaux in the region.  All this provides a luxurious and ultimately relaxing setting for our clients who want to offer a gold standard experience to their guests, whilst promoting the issues of balance and wellbeing.

ProLogis

  • ProLogis needed a new approach for their client acquisition and retention strategy.  They wanted to respond to the requirements of their target senior group who are inundated with invites to attend events. 
  • A short haul location was the preferred choice and so a three-day event was designed using the beautiful backdrop of Les Sources de Caudalie offering people the chance to focus on balance in their lives whilst entertaining them with exclusive access to celebrity chef Rick Stein.
  • Rick Stein is one of Chateau Bauduc’s biggest customers and the guests were treated to a private cooking demonstration, as Rick prepared dishes from his French Odyssey tour using regional specialties, whilst also sharing some fascinating stories from his journey through France.
  • “Having hosted an annual event with Rick Stein for 3 years locally in the UK, we were looking for a new twist to what was our final event in this series and the amazing location at Caudalie sourced by Harvey Thorneycroft offered us just that.  An incredible venue with outstanding facilities in an wonderful location just a couple of hours from the UK - we could have asked for nothing more.  The high calibre of our guests obliges us to offer only the very best events and at Caudalie we were able to do just that.” Alan Curtis, UK Managing Director, ProLogis

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Britvic  

  • In the case of Britvic the highlights included: a cookery demonstration by head chef, Franck Salein, at the hotel’s Michelin two star restaurant; use of the famous Vinotherapie Spa; wine tours with Gavin Quinney, former UK business chief and now owner of Chateau Bauduc, supplier of house wine to Gordon Ramsey.  It proved to be a relaxing and rewarding experience for everyone involved.

 

Leading UK retail company

  • A strategic conference to celebrate a major deal was the context for our most recent event held at Les Sources de Caudalie.  A private jet flew people to the location and exclusive access arranged to a number of the Chateaux in the region not normally open to the public, including Chateau Margaux, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte and Chateau Latour in Paulliac, hosted by Gavin Quinney.

 

Pennyhill Park Experience – Greene King

  • How to gain balance and optimise performance was the driving force behind the brief for this event for nine senior executives. Based on the premise that energy, not time, is the key to high performance and personal renewal all nine undertook a “Know Your Numbers” wellness check.
  • Delivered by Dr. Dorian Dugmore, Director of Wellness International, participants were given a thorough insight to their individual wellbeing with data on factors such as the fitness of their heart, cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
  • Situated in the outstanding facilities of Pennyhill Park, participants had the opportunity to use one of Europe’s leading health spas and state of the art fitness suites.
  • Mental fitness was also challenged; Caspar Berry’s session looked at, body language, communication and mental and emotional intelligences.

 

Lessons Learnt Gala Dinner hosted by John Inverdale - Sesame

  • An innovative take on the gala dinner format was the brief from Sesame for their Symposium for 250 people from the Financial Services sector. 
  • The theme for the symposium was Lessons Learnt and key to the solution was a fresh and innovative format designed in partnership with John Inverdale, BBC TV and radio sports broadcaster.
  • The idea was to explore what lessons can be learnt from looking at historical, political or sporting situations that have had a controversial impact on society or public opinion. 
  • Upon entering the ballroom guests were presented with an array of images of “controversial” famous people, on a huge screen.  Each table had a specific personality to debate accompanied with a key question, designed by John.  For example, “In respect of the coal mining strikes - Arthur Scargill - villain or hero?”  Between courses John invited selected tables to share their opinions with the other guests.
  • The evening culminated in a huge surprise for the audience when John revealed that two of these controversial figures, were about to take the stage and make their case.  PY Gerbeau (infamous for overseeing the demise of the Millennium Dome) and Mike Catt (ex British Lion and controversially outspoken about his views of the Rugby world) gave wonderfully insightful interviews, contributing a whole new dimension to the theme “Lessons Learnt”. 
  •  “Undoubtedly you delivered a refreshingly innovative format in comparison to the typical after dinner speaker! It has been a pleasure to work with a business that is willing and confident enough to push the boundaries of convention. We have already received emails waxing lyrical about the show with John, PY and Mike Catt.” Ian Thomas, Marketing Director, Sesame

 

Unlocking Potential - Roche

  • An experience that was designed to reward employees but rooted in a business context provided the context for this three-day event themed “Unlocking Potential”
  • Activities were designed around Frank Dick’s WellGoal programme and hosted by Frank himself.  All delegates took part in an on-line WellGoal assessment as part of the pre-communications and each received a personalised development plan with coaching points, exercise plan and nutrition advice.
  • A four star hotel in Malaga, with its fabulous beach location, was used to best advantage for practical sessions that covered, fitness, nutrition and mindset. 
  • Every delegate felt they had achieved enormous personal benefits and the client was subsequently rewarded with strengthened staff loyalty.  An aspirational event was provided in a format that could easily be repeated in future recognition activities. 
  • “I think this experience will change me, the way I think and all my goals for the future – thank you!” Roche delegate

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Keep Walking Workshop - Virgin Active

  • Inspiration and follow through were at the heart of the brief from Virgin Active to support leadership development at their annual GMs conference
  • Inspired by the insights of Alan Chambers, polar explorer, and Richard Hale’s learning approach (described in their book “Keep Walking”), Virgin Active wanted to take advantage of Alan Chambers' motivational impact through combining his keynote speech  with a workshop session that could be used to apply appropriate lessons to Virgin’s leadership challenges.
  • Alan and Richard designed a 3-hour workshop that built on the emotional engagement that Alan achieved through sharing his experiences of his successes and failures from the North Pole Expeditions.  Richard’s skill was to use this engagement to facilitate the GM’s committing to an action plan that would help them shape and apply a consistent leadership ethos within Virgin Active. 
  • Key concepts of relevance to the business were drawn out, such as ‘tent time’, ‘preparation as a form of risk management’, ‘selection based on qualities’, ‘confronting inappropriate behaviours’, ‘motivation through recognition’, ‘leadership legacy’, ‘trust from a distance’.
  • A Leadership Workbook was also provided as a resource to be used by the GMs to facilitate the GMs to commit to an action plan back at the workplace.
  • “Brilliant.  Alan was first class. So right for our business and current focus. Both Alan and Richard got right in to our business and gave everything. It had huge value.” Scott Hood, UK Operations Manager, Virgin Active UK