Blog. Spotlight on: Ambassador Mark Calver

We are indebted to the countless individuals and organisations who devote their time, energy, and resources on behalf of all those we support. Today, we shine a spotlight on one such inspirational figure Hospitality Action Ambassador Mark Calver, Director, Hatch Mansfield.

What do you believe sets Hospitality Action apart from other industry charities?

It is so easy to make lots of small donations or to work deeply with one organisation. At Hatch Mansfield, we chose to adopt Hospitality Action (HA) as our nominated charity. HA reaches out and touches all facets of the hospitality industry. In these times of great uncertainty post-Covid and in the cost of living crisis, we wanted to work with an organisation that helps those in need and enables them to get back on their feet. HA doesn’t stand still in terms of fundraising and how people can access their wide-ranging services. Finally, we find the HA team both proactive and really nice to deal with, they have become good friends of Hatch Mansfield.

How do you typically contribute to Hospitality Action’s activities and initiatives?

Our involvement came by accident, a great friend of mine, Richard Ball of the Calcot Collection, introduced me to HA. We were invited to the South West Polo Day and from there we became involved in the Cotswold Cycle Challenge. We saw that charitable giving could also be sociable and fun. Today we support many events with our Champagne brand, Champagne Taittinger. It’s amazing how important it is to set the right tone even in a giving environment. Champagne Taittinger allows the guests to celebrate their giving. The events that we support are the South West Polo Day, Cotswold Cycle Challenge, Back to the Floor, and our latest event, Bike to Care in Burgundy!

Can you share a memorable moment or experience you've had while supporting HA?

There are so many memorable moments that I have shared with so many industry professionals. Probably the most memorable have been whilst cycling where we are all in pain and you look around and there is so much positive banter. It’s amazing to think that you are often riding with normally suited and booted Industry professionals who take on a whole different persona when clad in Lycra! Probably the most memorable however was my first Cotswold Cycle Challenge. When cycling around the Cotswolds, it is normally a flapjack and tea outside a café, well this challenge was simply delightful, a number of the most luxurious hotels in the Cotswolds put on amazing food stops!

Can you describe a time when you collaborated with other supporters to achieve a common goal for HA? 

In the post-Covid era, one of my producers, Maison Louis Jadot from Burgundy, decided they wanted to help the hospitality industry on a global scale. They set up an event with other wine producers and invited teams from around the world to Burgundy to raise money over a two-day cycle event, covering 60 miles and many feet of climb on both days. This year will see the third event, the UK team rides to support HA obviously! To date, the first two events have raised around 650000 euros globally with the UK raising in excess of £50,000 for HA. This year we are holding a Gala dinner on Thursday 30th May, tickets are available and there are some incredible auction lots with Charlie Foley bashing the gavel, and the amazing Sara Symington will be speaking to inspire us for our forthcoming cycle event.

Heartfelt thanks to Mark for his long-standing support. If you’d like to purchase tickets to the Bike to Care Gala Dinner at Nobu Hotel London Portman Square on Thursday 30th May click here.  

All guests will enjoy the company of fellow food enthusiasts and be treated to a canapé and Taittinger Champagne reception and a four course gastronomic feast with wine throughout, whilst having the opportunity to bid on exclusive money-can’t-buy auction lots hosted by Charlie Foley, Auctioneer and Wine Specialist, Christie’s.

Will we see you there?