Meet the Team
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Peter Ridsdale, Executive Manager:
Peter’s hotel career has spanned 30 years, in such diverse environments as Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and throughout New Zealand. Peter is a practical manager who enjoys working in a team environment.
“Peter Ridsdale take a bow. I have stayed at the Ascot a few times during Ridsdale's tenure and have never had reason to complain. But the important thing is that if I did have a moan I would know exactly where to direct it - and I would be confident that due attention would be paid to my concerns. I know that because Peter Ridsdale is a visible manager, not someone who sits behind a desk which in turn is behind a closed door.”
- Stu Freeman of “Meeting Newz” |
Andrea Thomas, Functions Manager
Andrea has moved into the role of Functions Manager after a year in the Functions Assistant role. She brings solid experience to the role having worked in busy venues in Dunedin and Perth. With a degree in sales and marketing and strong communication and planning skills Andrea is well qualified to manage all types of functions and conferences. In her first year with the Ascot Park Hotel, she organized several complex and new events as well as looking after many of our regular clients with specific needs. She has proven to be a valuable asset to the Functions Department and loves the challenge of helping you plan your dream event. To unwind after a busy week you will find her out on the water wakeboarding or checking out what’s on around Invercargill and Southland. |
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Courtney Lowe, Assistant Functions Manager
Courtney has been at the Ascot Park Hotel for some six years, and is a valuable asset to our team. Having worked in the Front Office and Reservations, Courtney has developed great computer skills and creates our menus and invitations. Her experience in the hotel has also made her an able assistant to the conference manager. Working in large scale events has given her a sound understanding of the detail required to put these together. Courtney’s spare-time interest is in the theatre. |
Bruce Berg, Assistant Manager
With over 28 years experience at the Ascot Park Hotel, Bruce is a mine of knowledge about the Hotel and Southland. Unflappable under pressure Bruce is the gentleman of the Ascot Park Hotel and an extremely capable manager of conferences and events, ensuring that guests and event attendees find everything in the Hotel clean and in good working order. His leisure-time experience as an inventor, engineer, vintage car and motorcycle buff sees him come up with some excellent solutions when inventive ideas are needed for events setups. |
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Sue Cuckow, Duty Manager
Sue Cuckow has worked at the Ascot Park Hotel since 1984.
During this time Sue has proven her strength as a hospitality professional having managerial experience in: -Restaurant Management, Functions Management, Accounts management, Front Office Management and Duty Management.
Sue is a committed worker with a strong knowledge base and goes the extra mile for every customer, every time. It is a great pleasure to have Sue on the team, she brings a huge knowledge base to the Hotel!
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James Goodyear, Duty Manager
James has been with the Ascot Park Hotel since December 2007. Promoted to the position of Duty Manager early in 2010 James has taken to the role with vigour having completed an extensive training period. James has strong skills in function set-ups, electronics and computers having worked firstly as a Porter at the Hotel.
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Paul Nicholson, Duty Manager
Is responsible for the Portering Team, and has been at the Ascot Park Hotel for seven years. Through the knowledge gained during his career at the hotel, originally starting as Porter, then Head Porter and now in his current role, Paul has a strong understanding of the capabilities of the conference area and the significant technical equipment on site. The part that the portering team play in the setting up and breaking down of functions, with the support of the entire management team, ensures the successful running of events and is pivotal to our ability not just to meet but to exceed the expectations of our clients.
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Alan Dawkes, Executive Chef
Alan has been with the Ascot Park Hotel for some 5 years, after many years gaining extensive experience and knowledge working all over the world. His even temperament is a blessing given the size and nature of functions that he is often asked to undertake. One of the most important aspects of the Ascot’s food product is the extent of preparation that takes place right here in the Hotel. Alan strongly believes that he can produce the best results when he controls the preparation of ingredients. His menus are only as limited as your imagination, because if our dedicated menus do not meet your expectations he will personalise them just for you! |
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Katie Robertson Reservations Manager
Katie also fills the role of PA to the Manager. She is the second generation of her family to be directly involved in the hospitality industry in Southland. Katie’s role sees her active throughout the hotel on special projects and she is a valued member of our team. The attention to detail required to ensure that conference delegate’s needs are met is second nature to Katie. |
Penny Smith, Front Office Manager
Penny has been with the Hotel since it opened, and has become an Ascot icon. Penny plays an important role in ensuring that your accounts needs are met. |
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Jason Anderson, Restaurant Manager
Jason has been with the Ascot Park Hotel since 2004. Undertaking roles in reception and for the last year the Food and Beverage Department as Restaurant Manager.
Jason has a strong hospitality background and is enjoying the challenges of running Emberz Bar, Restaurant and the Whitestone Private Dining Room.
Customer service is a passion for Jason who likes to make those “special things” happen for customers, so if you need to make something happen when next at the Ascot, make sure you give him a call. He won’t let you down!
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Denise Burgess, Tavern Manager
Denise is typical of the hospitable Southland character, well-liked by the locals, while making hotel guests welcome to the tavern for an informal drink, game of pokies or a flutter on the horses. Many of her regulars are connected to the racing industry and some of the best tips in town come from her punters. |
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“I strongly believe that the team at the Ascot Park Hotel can consistently deliver on our performance promise because of the huge amount of experience that we have managing conferences and events. Understanding how people need to flow in and out of plenary sessions, meal breaks etc. throughout a conference is one of the key factors to success and is only gained through a solid understanding of the property. The best part about working at the Ascot is that our experience doesn’t stop here with me”.
– Peter Ridsdale.
The management team acknowledges that without a fantastic frontline crew we wouldn’t be in business. We hope that you will allow us the pleasure of serving you in the best city on earth, Invercargill, Southland.
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| Contact Our Team | | There’s always someone ready to help you with event planning at the Ascot Park Hotel | | |
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