Previous speaker events

When it comes to the thrilling winter sport of skeleton racing, Amy Williams MBE is one of the world’s leading names. Earning Britain its first Olympic gold medal in the sport in 2010, she’s since gone on to enjoy a successful career in presenting and motivational speaking. It was a pleasure to welcome Amy as she shared her story and revealed how a new mindset brought her the gold.

Rosemary Conley is the UK’s foremost diet and fitness expert with over 40 years’ experience, 37 bestselling books, 31 fitness DVDs and regular TV appearances. Just in time for kickstarting your January detox, Rosemary joins us to share the secrets of her success, and reveal how her common-sense approach has kept her at the top of her game

Kiki McDonough’s beautiful jewellery designs are instantly recognisable. Famous for her striking colour combinations and timeless, wearable creations, she’s earned a reputation as one of the most desirable British fine jewellery brands. Here to tell the story, Kiki discusses her 30-year career and the exciting future in store for the brand. You’ll also learn how to wear your own colourful jewellery – just in time for party season.

A gifted counsellor and life coach, Susie Johns has a unique talent for combining knowledge with intuition. Her empowering workshops have earned worldwide success, so it’s our pleasure to have welcomed her for a masterclass in graphology – also known as the study of handwriting. Over lunch guests discovered what their writing style says about them, as together they closely studied every slant and stroke.

As a keen tennis player and tennis presenter on women’s professional events, Mark Curry is an expert when it comes to the women’s game. Our speaker event focused on the talents of women at Wimbledon, as Mark discussed the history of the stars from the early days to the present, and of course, the world champions.

Sophie Conran is a renowned interior designer, author and avid cook, so we were extremely excited to welcome her for our speaker lunch. She shared fascinating tales from her career and family life, and offered interior design tips for style inspiration when transforming your home.

Melina Harrison has 25 years’ experience as an osteopath and is the director of her own physical health clinic in Berkshire, so she’s quite an expert when it comes to health and wellness. We were thrilled to welcome her as she revealed how making small changes to our daily habits can be the key to living a healthy lifestyle.

Famed for its vibrant collection of woven baskets, clutches and accessories, Rae Feather has become one of the UK’s most exciting fashion brands, named ‘one to watch’ by Walpole’s Brands of Tomorrow. Joining us for lunch, Rae shared the remarkable story behind the brand and gave attendees the chance to get hands-on by adding their own personal monograms and special messages to luxury leather items.

After lunch, there was also a pop-up shop for picking up some lovely gifts – just in time for Christmas.

As summer draws to a close, a fresh harvest of autumn ingredients is ripe and ready to enjoy. Our Michelin-starred chef Adam Smith taught attendees how to prepare new dishes with an exclusive cookery masterclass in the kitchens, during which they prepared, cooked and enjoyed a delicious three-course lunch.

Described as the ‘Queen of Weddings’, Brides Magazine editor Jade Beer is an expert in the world of wedding planning. We were delighted to welcome Jade as she read an extract of her highly anticipated debut novel, The Almost Wife, due to be published on June 20. She talked about her experience writing and discussed the latest trends inspired by the royal wedding.

Following a special invitation from Royal Farms in 2011, Laithwaite’s Wine began an exciting new project creating a private vineyard on the royal Windsor estate, which now thrives with 19,000 vines. We were delighted to welcome general manager Anne Linder to host our speaker event, as she shared the story of the project and gave attendees a chance to taste the award-winning English Quality sparkling wine.

Masterclass and lunch from our Executive Chef at Coworth Park, Adam Smith.

We are delighted to introduce London-based fashion designer Suzannah Crabb, whose bespoke, vintage-inspired pieces are coveted by royalty and celebrity style icons. Her label has become a renowned luxury brand for ready-to-wear and couture pieces, from tailored work outfits to beautiful wedding dresses.

There are seemingly no ends to the talents of Caroline Feraday, who is a TV personality, radio DJ, journalist, writer and comic. Join us for our latest speaker event as Caroline shares her fascinating story of success, from a starry-eyed teenager on Capital radio, to anchorwoman interviewing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars for Sky News and BBC.

Join Jod Mitchell, founder of one of the UK’s most prestigious fine fragrance companies, as he takes us through the creation of ‘English Leaf’, a natural, green floral cologne created with ingredients from the Mitchell plantations. He’ll share an insight to how the scents are created for lotions and fragrances.

OKA is renowned for their vast and incredibly lifelike collection of faux flowers. In 2016 OKA partnered with Willow Crossley, unveiling multiple faux bunches under the name ‘Willow Crossley for OKA’. Willow has built a reputation for her relaxed, rustic approach to flowers. Her refreshing signature style has attracted commissions from a wide range of clients, including Mulberry and Jo Malone, and a number of high-profile individuals.

Discover all things chocolate over a special afternoon tea hosted by Coworth Park’s executive pastry chef, Lucy Jones. Sample her delicious creations while learning more about chocolate and how to create memorable dishes. Additionally, if you were ever curious about what happens behind the scenes, Lucy will share an insight into a day in our pastry kitchen over the busy Easter period. Lucy brings with her extensive experience from some of London’s most luxurious hotels. 

At the end of the Five Mile Road in Jersey’s coastal parish of St. Ouen, you will find Jersey Pearl. It’s here that the Taylor family spend much of their time studying their favourite organic gems. They’ve discovered incredible stories from the invention of pearl farming, to the development of new culturing techniques and pearl types. Countless trips to far-flung waters have introduced them to the farmers, stringers, biologists and historians who share their dedication to pearls. Jersey Pearl recently opened their first UK store in Market Cross House, the ‘Crooked House’ of Windsor.

Coworth Park’s new executive chef Adam Smith gave some great tips for making your Christmas preparations easier this year. This lunch included a gift of one of Adam’s famous Christmas puds. As a former Observer Food Monthly Young Chef of the Year, Craft Guild of Chefs Restaurant Chef of the Year and Roux Scholarship Winner, Chef Adam Smith is rightly considered ‘one to watch’ by the UK’s leading chefs including Michel Roux. With a mantra throughout his career that ‘taste is king’ Adam began working at The Ritz rising from 2nd commis to executive sous chef before moving to The Devonshire Arms. During this time The Burlington Restaurant was the only new restaurant to be awarded a coveted four AA rosettes in the January 2015 guide.

Sophie Conran is an English interior designer, cook and author, as well as a working mother of two. She has turned her love of cooking and home in to her work, inspired by her father, Sir Terence Conran, and her mother, Caroline Conran. Sophie spoke about her life and her career; how she has got to where she is now, what influenced her whilst she was growing up as well as what inspires her now, and how she has developed and grown her business.

Martin Hulbert is one of the UK’s top interior designers and the creator of the stunning interiors at Coworth Park, which won the 2011 House & Garden Pineapple Award for hotel design, described by the magazine as ‘a glorious combination of comfort, elegance, slight eccentricity, originality and appropriateness to its setting’. Martin is also responsible for the glamorous Dorchester Spa and many other extraordinary hotels and private homes around the world.