Meet the Team
Chester Race Company Ltd pride themselves on the quality of delivery of all elements of your event, in order to maintain such high levels of customer excellence we rely on our experienced and dedicated team below:
Philip Dougherty – General Manager
Phil has over 30 years experience in the Catering Industry. He spent 5 years at Gleneagles hotel in Scotland and then a further 18 years at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel where during his time was promoted from Restaurant Manager to Food and Beverage Manager ending up as the Hotel Operations Manager. Phil was then head hunted to mobilise the outside catering contract at Warrington Wolves Stadium, and in 2005 Appointed as the General Manager at Chester Racecourse. He has a strong passion for wine and in 1996 gained the UK sommelier of the year award, and winning awards within the Champagne academy. Phil is also an avid supporter of Everton Football Club.
Kate Dawson - Sales Manager
Kate joined Chester Race Company in October 2009. Her experience of the Hotel and Corporate sectors began in 1994 when she joined Rookery Hall - Hand Picked Hotels - a 3 Red Star Property with a 3 AA Rosettes restaurant. She started a new position as Reservations Manager, moving through the sales roles, Conference & Banqueting Manager, Sales Manager to her final role as Regional Sales Manager overseeing 3 key North West properties and Key Accounts for the Group.
Her next role was with the De Vere Group as Regional Sales Manager for the North West. She developed and managed two hotel sales team and National Accounts for the De Vere Group.
She once worked as Uma Thurman's stand in whilst filming Robin Hood in Cheshire, and enjoys spending time with the family at their holiday home in Tenerife.
Anthony Frost – Operations Manager
Responsible for Managing non raceday functions as well as racedays. Oversees and delegates to Casual employees.
Anthony started his career in catering working in small hotels in and around the Wrexham area. To aid his own development Anthony then went on to work on the Orient Express and the QE2. Anthony was then head hunted by Phil Dougherty to be his assistant manager at Warrington Wolves, then moving to Chester Racecourse as Operations manager.
Craig Cadwaladr – Operations Manager
Responsible for Managing non raceday functions as well as Racedays. Oversees and delegates to Casual employees
Whilst studying at University, Craig worked part time at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel where he developed a love for the catering industry. Craig graduated from university with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, and since then went onto to work full time at the Chester Grosvenor Hotel. After taking a 12 month sabbatical travelling, Craig then joined the Racecourse in August 2005.
Marietta Reynolds – Snr Events Co-ordinator
Marietta has an excellent background in customer service with a prestigious retail company and also banking. Marietta and her husband also owned a very popular local hostelry for 8 years and this is where Marietta expertly used her friendly persona and developed her organisational skills. Since joining the team 4 years ago Marietta has really found her niche in organising events with personal service and dedication. Marietta really enjoys the larger events and the list of thank you letters is ever increasing. Married to her husband for over 15 years, she regularly finds time to watch her 12 year old son play football for a local football club academy and often takes part in charity events throughout Britain.
