‘An incredibly uplifting few days’ — what you said about the Conference

20 November 2025

Here’s what delegates had to say about a truly memorable Golf Club Management Conference & Exhibition…

Delegates gathered at the De Vere Cotswold Waterpark for a Conference & Exhibition that underlined just how quickly our industry is evolving.

Across three days, in exploring the future ready theme we brought together experts, innovators and club leaders to explore the challenges shaping the modern game and the opportunities that come with them.

From inspirational keynote speakers to practical breakout workshops, the programme offered a mix of strategy, insight and real-world guidance for managers to take back to their clubs.

Here’s what our delegates had to say about a truly memorable Golf Club Management Conference and Exhibition 2025…

“It was interesting and informative and a great opportunity to meet fellow colleagues in the golf industry. The keynote speakers and breakout sessions were inspirational and really helpful. The discussions around preparing ourselves, our staff and the club for inevitable future changes was invaluable.” – Claire Bainbridge, Assistant General Manager at Fulford

“This was my third GCMA Conference. It’s such a great way to get up to speed with all the latest developments. The Conference covers important topics with specialist speakers who provided genuine insight.” – John Smith, Director at Burnham Beeches

“Thank you to the GCMA team for putting on an amazing Conference – the keynote speakers were all inspiring and breakout workshops so professionally hosted and delivered, thank you. To meet, catch-up and spend time with such a great group is truly amazing and we are so lucky to be part of such a supportive and engaging community and Association.” – Andrew Seale, General Manager at Mid Kent

“The quality of keynote speakers was outstanding but what I loved the most were the breakout sessions and opportunity to chat to others who have to make similar decisions day in, day out. Thank you all for your insight – it is invaluable.” – Hamish Mackay, General Manager at Ross-on-Wye

“It was an incredibly uplifting few days, with over 200 people joining together to share a wealth of learning and experience. The keynote speakers were simply outstanding – engaging, inspiring, passionate and humble as they shared experiences from success in high-achieving roles.” – Sean Boyle, General Manager at Chesterfield

“Some fantastic educational workshops and keynote speakers. Also great to speak with fellow managers and industry leaders talking best practices, industry challenges and becoming future ready!” – Stuart Buckley, General Manager at Preston

“A fantastic few days. Really interesting and thought-provoking discussions on future readiness and the opportunities that come with change. As always, great to catch up with other industry colleagues and friends.” – Eddie Kear, General Manager at Shirehampton Park

“It was fantastic to attend this year’s Conference. I met some truly motivated individuals focused on making the industry ‘future ready’ and improving it for members, employees, and the wider community.” – Ben Lightfoot, Virtual CFO and Founder of Suncroft Strategic Finance Partners

By GCMA Content Team

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John Steele

John Steele is a former professional athlete, sports coach, Olympic Leader and is the Executive Director of Sport at Loughborough University. He has been Chief Executive across a range of sectors. Drawing on leadership experience of nine different Olympic and Paralympic Games (including the amazing events at the Rio Games), John reflects on the lessons from this unique period in British sport and relays his fascinating views on creating high performing teams.

Indeed, inspired from PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, by the most successful performance ever for Team GB, he has a whole host of new business and leadership insights into how this was brilliant performance was achieved and how it can translate back into your organisation.

John moved into the corporate world, before he enjoyed an outstanding career as a professional rugby player achieving international honours. After his playing career, he turned his hand to coaching and achieved the highest accolade for a British club coach by winning the European Cup with Northampton Saints. He then became Executive Director on the Saints Board during a period of unprecedented growth, and served on the England Rugby Board during the successful world cup campaign of 2003. It was no surprise that John’s talents were called upon to drive through a change and modernisation programme as CEO of the Rugby Football Union – a challenge that became controversial and ended in his departure from the post after only a year, but with his dignity and professional pride intact.

Headhunted by UK Sport, John took up post as CEO the day before London won the 2012 Olympic bid – and this promising start was sustained as he embarked on developing the UK’s high performance sport system, which he led for a six-year period of unprecedented success through the Beijing and London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Post-London 2012, with the Olympic legacy in place and an obligation to continue inspiring a generation, John took up his post as Group Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust. He has also succeeded Steve Cram as Chairman of the English Institute of Sport, an organisation described as ‘the team behind the team’, which delivers a range of performance impacting solutions to over 40 Olympic and Paralympic sports and some non-Olympic sports.

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Dr Jo Salter MBE

Dr Jo Salter MBE is famed for becoming the first female fast jet pilot, having flown the Panavia Tornado ground attack aircraft during her services in the Royal Air Force. Joining the RAF aged 18, Jo has since taken Air Cadets into the skies as part of Air Experience Flights, become the Director of Global Transformative Leadership for PWC, and most recently become a Global Advisory of GenAI for PwC.

Jo has piloted flights in the Air Cadets Air Experience Flights and inspired countless budding armed service members to pioneer a male-dominated sector, having been the leader of an all-male squadron. Since leaving the military behind, Jo has established a strong business career working in roles such as Head of Technical Services for NetConnect, European Operations Manager for Automated Power Exchange and Managing Director of Saltin Ltd.

Having developed first-class expertise in leadership, analytical thinking and performing under pressure, Jo is now a highly sought-after public speaker to share stories from her time in the skies.

Jo is a passionate Trustee of The Royal Air Force Club and an Ambassador of the Global Angels charity, an organisation that gives communities around the world access to clean water, education, healthcare and encourages female and youth empowerment. Jo has also authored two books, titled Energy: 52 Ways to Fire Up Your Life and Become an Energy Angel and Energize: Spring Clean Your Mind and Body to Get Your Bounce Back Today and Every Day.

In recognition of her achievements throughout her career, Jo has also been named as one of the 50 Most Inspiring Women in the World by Harpers & Queen. She is now working as the Director of Global Transformation Leadership at PWC, after working in other roles such as Director of Risk Technology Strategy, Director Chief of Staff to Head of Technology & Investments and the Director of People & Organisations.

In 2022, Jo was invited personally by Tom Cruise to attend the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. Most recently, Jo received an honorary doctorate of Arts from Bournemouth University.