Meet the team
Ian Parkinson
Operations Director – Conference Channel
After leaving school Ian entered the colourful world of classic catering. Ian’s career has given him the opportunity to work at some of the country’s leading brand hotels.
Richard Smith
Head of Sales and Marketing - Conference Channel
Richard joined Yarnfield Park in November 2010, having spent much of the previous decade with the NEC Group based at The ICC, Birmingham, where he undertook a variety of roles including latterly Head of Conference Sales and Senior Account Director.
Sam Martin
Account Manager
Sam completed a degree in fashion design, undertaking part of her studies in New York. After her degree she moved to London to work in fashion marketing and events. Sam then moved back to her roots in Staffordshire where she worked as an Event Executive at the Alton Towers Resort before joining the Yarnfield Park sales team as a Conference Co-Ordinator in February 2011.
Emma Johnson
Accommodation Sales Co-ordinator
Our longest serving member of the sales team, Emma joined us in 2004 after training and working as a travel agent for a short time. Emma started at Yarnfield Park working on reception before making the jump into the sales office and she has never looked back.
Neil Wilson
Assistant Operations Manager
Neil trained at Rodbaston Agricultural College before starting a career in farming. Neil then moved into the engineering industry and then into sales in the motor trade before joining us in January 2011.
Mark Hill
Assistant Operations Manager
Mark joined us in July this year after working at Alton Towers for 18 years, where he gained valuable experience not only in the Bar and Restaurant but also as Conference and Events Manager overseeing events from small meetings for 10 people to gala dinners for 800.
Mike Mountney
Building Maintenance Manager
Mike started his well travelled career after undertaking training in leisure operations and environmental management. His career took him all over the world from working at Chessington World of Adventure after which he worked in Australia for 2 years.
Beth Chell
Conference Operations Co-ordinator
Beth joined us in June 2015. Having gained qualifications in Travel & Tourism which set her on her conference and catering career, she joins the team as Conference Operations Co-ordinator.
Laurence Chell
Executive Chef
Laurence joined us from Twycross Zoo in January 2011. Laurence is an Italian trained chef who after gaining his qualifications at Salford University went on to specialise in sports nutrition working at various establishments such as Nottingham Forest FC, Derby County FC, Stoke City FC, Leicester Tigers RFC, St Helens RFC and Rizla Suzuki to name a few.
Paul Sharratt
Operations Manager
Paul joined the team at Yarnfield in March 2014 after 6 months at the Holiday Inn Stoke on Trent as the food and beverage manager.
During his career Paul spent 16 years at Alton Towers, his roles including managing catering for concerts for 28,000 people and gala dinners and buffets for up to 1,500. Paul also spent 8 months in Toronto as Commercial Manager at Legoland Discovery Centre, opening the first of its kind in Canada.
Gemma Brandrick
Commercial Sales Executive
Gemma studied Hospitality Management at University of Derby and brings a wealth of experience to Yarnfield Park after working for 9 years at Alton Towers in the Event Sales office and at the home of the FA; St George's Park for 15 months. Gemma joined the Yarnfield Team in January 2016.
Toni Mountford
Conference Sales Executive
Following her studies at Birmingham University in Marketing and Hospitality Management, Toni joined a trainee management programme at the Three Horseshoes Hotel in Leek before moving to Alton Towers where she started as Team Leader in the restaurant, then into Corporate Sales for 9 years.
