My involvement with Polo began in 2003 in New Zealand. Seeking a break from the city I was sponsored to relocate from the UK and work with Sheila Laxon ONZM, the first female thoroughbred trainer to win the Australian cups double - the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, with Ethereal. It was here where I was introduced to the sport of Polo and connected to the New Zealand Polo industry.
Upon returning to the city after my experiences in New Zealand and Australia, I transitioned into self-employment as a corporate communications and PR consultant, establishing my own consulting company, Brand Equity Group Ltd. Concurrently, I also began collaborating with Ascot Park Polo Club, under the stewardship of the esteemed Grace family – Peter Grace, Victoria Grace, and Pippa Grace. My role extended beyond consultancy as I immersed myself in the sport, leveraging my background in public relations and corporate affairs to contribute to the club's development, events, membership initiatives, sponsorships, and overall operations. Ascot Park Polo Club spearheaded innovations within the sport, pioneering initiatives like 'Discover Polo' programmes aimed at introducing novices to the sport, Corporate Learn-To-Play Days, The International Women's Polo Association (IWPA), the Pro-Am City Polo Championships, and hosting the largest women's polo event sponsored by Joules clothing annually. Today, Victoria Grace continues to innovate the sport with Grace Polo and remains the number one female polo player worldwide in mixed polo.
During my tenure at Ascot Park Polo Club, I identified the necessity for restructuring the sport's membership framework and the provision of professional commercial services to meet the demands of a growing corporate market and prestigious brand sponsors. Simultaneously, I aimed to create a more accessible gateway for newcomers to engage with the sport as it continued to grow and evolve.
In 2007, Polonetworks was established following my departure from Ascot Park Polo Club. The business experienced rapid growth, attracting 8,000 playing and non-playing members within its inaugural year. The three largest governing bodies in the UK, USA and Argentina represented 12,000 playing members combined, so Polonetworks had garnered significant global recognition and awareness very quickly. During this period, numerous successful commercial collaborations were forged for individuals, teams, and clubs, alongside the development of new events and assets for commercialization.
After advising The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) on a new commercial structure and model and witnessing the adoption of the direct membership model and commercial plans I redirected my focus away from Polo in 2015 to pursue new business ventures and continue consulting with corporate clients.
In 2023, spurred by encouragement from various stakeholders, I reignited my involvement in the sport. Polonetworks collaborates with associations, polo clubs, rights holders, sponsors, teams, professional polo players, amateurs, and more, boasting a robust track record of working with all stakeholders in the sport alongside commercial clients, partners, and sponsors ranging from local enterprises to globally renowned brands.
Upon returning to the city after my experiences in New Zealand and Australia, I transitioned into self-employment as a corporate communications and PR consultant, establishing my own consulting company, Brand Equity Group Ltd. Concurrently, I also began collaborating with Ascot Park Polo Club, under the stewardship of the esteemed Grace family – Peter Grace, Victoria Grace, and Pippa Grace. My role extended beyond consultancy as I immersed myself in the sport, leveraging my background in public relations and corporate affairs to contribute to the club's development, events, membership initiatives, sponsorships, and overall operations. Ascot Park Polo Club spearheaded innovations within the sport, pioneering initiatives like 'Discover Polo' programmes aimed at introducing novices to the sport, Corporate Learn-To-Play Days, The International Women's Polo Association (IWPA), the Pro-Am City Polo Championships, and hosting the largest women's polo event sponsored by Joules clothing annually. Today, Victoria Grace continues to innovate the sport with Grace Polo and remains the number one female polo player worldwide in mixed polo.
During my tenure at Ascot Park Polo Club, I identified the necessity for restructuring the sport's membership framework and the provision of professional commercial services to meet the demands of a growing corporate market and prestigious brand sponsors. Simultaneously, I aimed to create a more accessible gateway for newcomers to engage with the sport as it continued to grow and evolve.
In 2007, Polonetworks was established following my departure from Ascot Park Polo Club. The business experienced rapid growth, attracting 8,000 playing and non-playing members within its inaugural year. The three largest governing bodies in the UK, USA and Argentina represented 12,000 playing members combined, so Polonetworks had garnered significant global recognition and awareness very quickly. During this period, numerous successful commercial collaborations were forged for individuals, teams, and clubs, alongside the development of new events and assets for commercialization.
After advising The Hurlingham Polo Association (HPA) on a new commercial structure and model and witnessing the adoption of the direct membership model and commercial plans I redirected my focus away from Polo in 2015 to pursue new business ventures and continue consulting with corporate clients.
In 2023, spurred by encouragement from various stakeholders, I reignited my involvement in the sport. Polonetworks collaborates with associations, polo clubs, rights holders, sponsors, teams, professional polo players, amateurs, and more, boasting a robust track record of working with all stakeholders in the sport alongside commercial clients, partners, and sponsors ranging from local enterprises to globally renowned brands.