Blog. Spotlight on: South West Polo Day in association with Four Seasons Fruiterers.
March 02, 2026 | Author Giuliana Vittiglio
Our annual South West Polo Day is a highlight of the hospitality calendar, a day where thrilling sport meets exceptional food and a shared desire to support the hospitality community. We recently caught up with Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Media, Hywel Jones, Executive Chef at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, and Franco Ventriglia, Director of Four Seasons Fruiterers to hear their thoughts on what makes the day so special, and why it continues to rally such incredible support year after year.
Franco Ventriglia, Director of Four Seasons Fruiterers: What inspired you to support the Polo Day once again, and what does this partnership mean to you?
Four Seasons Fruiterers have been in business for nearly 20 years now. I have personally been in the industry for many more years. I know both personally and professionally, the hospitality industry can be tough. Business owners are under pressure to cut costs due to spiralling bills, which negatively impact not only colleagues and employment opportunities, but also suppliers and logistics. Hospitality has a much wider impact than just a cafe or restaurant, and the current climate is pushing hardworking people to the brink.
That is why Hospitality Action is so important. It provides a safety net for those working in one of the UK’s most pressured, low-margin, and often low-paid sectors, offering practical, financial, and mental health support when they have nowhere else to turn. By focusing exclusively on hospitality, from kitchen porters and bartenders to managers and retirees, it contributes to the well-being and resilience of the industry that so many rely on daily.
It's our third year sponsoring the South West Polo Day at Beaufort Polo Club. We choose to support this flagship regional fundraiser because it generates tens of thousands of pounds in a single day to support hospitality people in hardship. It unites the industry around a high-profile, positive event. And most importantly, the outcome is always real, tangible support for hospitality colleagues in difficulty.
Plus, it is always amazing to see and taste the beautiful dishes the chefs create with produce from Four Seasons Fruiterers.
Simon Numphud, Managing Director of AA Media: What does a typical Polo Day look like behind the scenes, and what goes into making it such a memorable experience?
Our flagship event is a culmination of over 6 months of planning with multiple stakeholders to ensure the event is a great success. This involves a collaboration across many local hotels notably Calcot, Lucknam Park, The Queensberry and The Pig, our headline sponsor Four Seasons Fruiterers and a wide range of local suppliers and of course the Beaufort Polo Club.
Behind the scenes we start work on the Saturday setting the marquee up with our table lay up for 300 covers and establishing the kitchen and back of house preparation areas. It is normally remarkably calm due to all the hard work in the planning and the efforts of a team of over 60 people that come together from the various local hotels.
It is the energy and hospitality of this blended team, combined by fabulous food and great wines and great attention to detail that makes the Polo Day so memorable.
Why is it important to you personally to be involved in delivering this event for Hospitality Action?
The Polo Day is a particularly special event as it's our flagship and largest event within a whole calendar of events we host across the South West region to raise funds for Hospitality Action. It involves so many of our board members and ambassadors across the South West plus the generous time from so many hotel teams. That's why it’s so important to me as Chair to be hands on, it's also incredible fun and I even rope my children in to help with the setup!
Hywel Jones, Executive Chef at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa: You’ve been part of Hospitality Action’s Annual Polo Day since the very beginning, what has kept you coming back year after year?
The South West Polo Day has been close to my heart since the very beginning in 2010. Year after year, it brings together great food, wonderful people and a real sense of community, all in support of Hospitality Action. This industry gives so much, but it can also be incredibly tough, and Hospitality Action is there when people need it most. The Polo Day is a brilliant example of how we can come together, celebrate what we do best, and give back to the industry we all care so deeply about. It’s a day that reminds you what hospitality is all about in aid of a very important cause.
Are there any standout or particularly memorable moments from past Polo Days that really capture what the event is all about for you?
The camaraderie on the day is what stands out the most. Over the years we’ve had some tremendous chefs take part including André Garrett, Josh Eggleton and Richard Bertinet. Last year the legendary Claire Clark MBE and Daniel Galmiche joined in the fun. Everyone puts their ego to one side and chips in to make it a cracking day for the guests. Behind the scenes we all lend a hand to make sure courses go out on time and plates look spot-on before tucking in ourselves. The day is rooted in generosity and teamwork and it’s this spirit of collaboration which really captures what the Polo Day is all about.
Many thanks to Simon, Hywel and Franco for their wholehearted support and for helping to make this special event possible. There’s still time to get involved, whether you’re interested in one of the remaining sponsorship packages or would like to secure your tickets, click here to find out more. #wevegotyou
