Arena Racing Company (ARC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Hannah Chree as Executive Director of Bath Racecourse, one of the group’s 16 racecourses across the UK.
Hannah joined ARC in 2018 in a Human Resources role and has since built a strong operational track record within the organisation. Most recently, she served as Deputy General Manager at Royal Windsor Racecourse, where she played a key role in delivering both racing and non-racing events.
In her new role at Bath, Hannah will oversee all aspects of racecourse operations and commercial events, with a focus on driving the racecourse’s growing reputation as a year-round destination for racing and events in the South West. Hannah’s focus will be growing attendance for racedays alongside driving the event prospect at Bath Racecourse and making it a chosen event destination.
Bath Racecourse forms part of ARC’s wider strategic vision to champion racecourses as flexible, outdoor venues, ideal for a diverse range of public and private meetings and events. ARC’s portfolio includes some of the UK’s most iconic and versatile locations, including Doncaster, Newcastle, Royal Windsor, and Chepstow.
From large-scale meetings and conferences, concerts, drone shows, and sports events to brand activations and food festivals, ARC venues offer expansive and adaptable outdoor spaces — including centre courses, paddocks, weighing rooms, woodland areas, hardstanding zones, and marquee sites — underpinned by first-class infrastructure and hospitality.
Bath Racecourse will continue to play a central role in this strategy, with Hannah leading local delivery and engagement across both racing and non-racing activity, supported by ARC’s dedicated meetings and events division, YourVenue.
Phil Bell, Regional Executive Director, commented: "We are delighted to welcome Hannah to her new role at Bath. She brings energy, experience, and a deep understanding of how to run successful racecourses both on racedays and across wider event activity. Her time at Royal Windsor Racecourse proved her ability to build strong teams and deliver fantastic customer experiences. We’re excited to see Bath Racecourse continue to thrive under her leadership."
Hannah Chree, Executive Director at Bath Racecourse, added:
"It’s a real privilege to take on this role at one of the UK’s most historic and picturesque racecourses. I’m excited to work with the team to further enhance our racedays, while also continuing to grow Bath as a destination for brilliant events all year round. ARC’s ambition to showcase racecourses as versatile venues is something I’m passionate about, and Bath has all the ingredients to deliver on that vision."
Live events agency Goose has partnered with consultancy Sustainability Simplified to turn its environmental ambitions into a clear, actionable strategy. The result: a robust Net-Zero roadmap that sets Goose apart as a leader in sustainable events.
Goose has been working hard on sustainability since 2020 and identified the need for specialist support to scale its impact and bring structure to its efforts. That’s where Sustainability Simplified stepped in; a consultancy trusted for cutting through the jargon and helping events businesses make real, measurable change.
“We’ve always taken sustainability seriously, but we reached a point where we needed expert guidance to focus our efforts,” said Luke Wigley, Director and Sustainability lead at Goose. “Over three months, we worked together to measure our baseline carbon footprint, update our sustainability policy, and most importantly, create a clear Net-Zero roadmap.”
“The roadmap gives us a phased, five-year action plan; not just aspirational goals, but tangible changes across our business and events. It shows expected emissions reductions for each action, which makes everything clear for our team, our clients, and our suppliers.”
The impact was immediate. During their collaboration, Goose was recognised as one of the UK’s 30 most sustainable event agencies. The company plans to publish its first sustainability report later this year, outlining its progress and key milestones.
The roadmap itself is rooted in reality. Each proposed action, from switching energy sources to rethinking transport logistics, was workshopped with the team for feasibility, analysed for potential carbon reductions, and built into a phased implementation plan. Only measures that were both meaningful and achievable made the final cut.
“Goose is a great example of what’s possible when passionate agencies commit to real change. They’re not just making promises, they’re doing the work, and already seeing the benefits for themselves and clients.” Ben Quarrell, Co-founder
To support more agencies on their journey, Sustainability Simplified has also released a 10-step guide to becoming a leader in sustainable events, available for free download now on their website.
Elevate NewGen, a talent development initiative from the team behind Elevate Mentoring, has partnered with Diversity Alliance to launch a landmark survey exploring diversity in the UK events sector. The survey focuses on race and socio-economic background, aiming to fill a critical data gap around lived experience in the workplace.
Designed for 18 to 25-year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds, the initiative reimagines a decade of mentoring success to support those at the very start of their careers. The survey can be completed by individuals or adopted by organisations looking to better understand their workforce. Its findings will provide a foundation for more inclusive recruitment, progression and retention strategies across the industry.
Gabby Austen Browne, Founder of Diversity Alliance, explained why the partnership matters:
“Growing up in a single-parent family on a council estate, being the first in my family to attend university, and entering the events industry as a woman of colour, I’ve experienced barriers that many pretend don’t exist. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s fuelled my passion to create the change I wish I’d seen. I’ve partnered with Elevate NewGen because I believe in their commitment to building pathways for underrepresented talent and goal to applicable insight to tackle the systemic challenges limiting diversity across our industry.”
Since its original launch by Max Fellows and Mel Noakes, the Elevate Mentoring programme has supported more than 2,000 people into the industry. NewGen takes this further by reaching those who often lack the networks, visibility or guidance to get started.
Evie Manuel, who helps lead Elevate NewGen, said: “Elevate NewGen is more than just a mentoring programme. It’s about real access, visibility and opportunity for young people who are often overlooked. Too many talented individuals are ready to contribute to our industry but don’t know where to start. This survey is a vital step in understanding those barriers and helping to drive the structural change we all say we want to see.”
The initiative has been backed by key industry bodies, including the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) and creative agency We Are Collider.
Heather Lishman, Association Director at ABPCO, said: “We’re proud to support this important initiative. As an association committed to professional excellence and inclusive practice, we recognise the need for robust data to truly understand where barriers exist. This survey is a vital step towards creating a more representative and welcoming industry for all.”
Anton Jerges, Founder and CEO of We Are Collider, one of the primary sponsors of the initiative, added: “Representation cannot be improved without understanding the realities people face. This survey gives our industry a chance to look honestly at itself and take action where it matters. We’re backing this because meaningful change requires more than intention, it requires insight.”
Fully anonymous, the survey will help shape industry benchmarks and guide frameworks for a more inclusive and equitable events sector.
To take part or learn more, visit https://www.elevateme.co/survey
Lime Venue Portfolio has extended its popular ‘Step In With Lime’ incentive until 30th September 2025, giving agents and corporates even more opportunity to win rewards for enquiring and stepping inside one of its extraordinary venues.
The extension comes in response to exceptional engagement from the industry, with hundreds of planners already enjoying the benefits of the initiative. The offer rewards professionals for making enquiries and booking site visits at any of Lime Venue Portfolio’s 70-plus venues, with weekly prize draws offering the chance to win £25, £50, or £100 Love2Shop vouchers.
“We know how valuable a good site visit can be – for planners and venues alike,” said Jo Austin, Sales Director at Lime Venue Portfolio. “This incentive is about making those connections easier and more rewarding. It’s our way of saying thank you to our agency partners and encouraging them to come and see the variety, flexibility, and creativity across our collection.”
Lime Venue Portfolio represents the UK’s largest selection of iconic, unique, and immersive venues, from racecourses and stadiums to heritage sites and world-famous attractions – all backed by expert event knowledge and a central enquiries team.
This coincides with the launch of LVP’s ‘G’ Guide, focused on Governance, and the final instalment of its acclaimed ESG Guide series for event planners. The free-to-download guide helps planners embed good governance into their event strategies, with practical advice on transparency, compliance, risk mitigation, supply chain integrity, and legacy.