Meet the Team  - Cianca Gayle 

Sales and Customer Liaison Manager

How long have you worked for Holland & Holland and what did you do before that?

I’ve been with Holland & Holland for five years in February…time flies! I previously worked at CCT Venures, a corporate conferencing and event space.  Before this, I worked at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Agency as PA to a Creative Director. 

What exactly does your job involve day to day?

This is always a tough question to answer, as I feel I have my hands in all pots here at the Shooting Grounds. My objective here at the Grounds is to manage and work closely with  the Front of House reception team to ensure we offer the best service to our clients as well as manage the events and sales. I also work closely with the Food and Beverage manager to ensure we are offering our guests an exceptional service which meets their requirements. 

I like liaise to with Chris Bird our Head of Instruction to ensure we tailor and manage our corporate shoots to suit the clients level of experience.  

Do you have a most memorable event that you’ve organised?

It would be extremely hard to choose one, however the events I enjoy most are typically those who allow and trust us to bespoke their day from the very beginning to their clients departure. This would usually include breakfast in the morning, some shooting in the afternoon, followed by a lovely British Sparkling wine and canapé reception. The cherry on the top is when they enjoy a three course lunch prepared by our Head Chef, Joshua Hunter with paired wines selected by our Head Sommelier Sean Arthur. You cant beat a full on Holland & Holland experience. 

What do you most enjoy about your job and what are the greatest challenges

When I joined Holland & Holland we didn’t offer as a wider selection of hospitality services as we do now, so over the past 5 years, I have thoroughly enjoyed opening the restaurant and being able to offer our shooting and non shooting guests the opportunity to stay and enjoy a meal with us. Greatest challenges. Perhaps the biggest challenge was stepping into such a renowned company with such history and heritage, it was a such an honour, and I felt I had huge shoes to fill, but I can confirm that feeling didn’t last long with such a warm welcome from the team. 

Do you shoot and if so what is your favourite discipline?

I had only shot once before, I am usually a little too busy to enjoy shooting as much as I hoped, but I recently completed my shotgun beginners course and it gave me such a buzz, I do hope to get out and shoot a little more. 

What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the company since you joined?

Wow, there have been so many significant changes! Guests used to make their own coffee at a little coffee station at reception when I first started, so it brings me great joy to see guests enjoying a fancy coffee sat at our copper bar gazing on to the terrace. 

What other interests and hobbies do you have outside work?

Interesting - I studied Theatre Production Management at University, so a good theatre show is where you will find me, or with my head stuck in a book. 

Do you think you have to have an intrinsic love of field sports to work for Holland & Holland

Absolutely not, prior to working at Holland & Holland I didn’t know much about field sports, what I fell in love with the most was the respect had by many for the brand. I always knew of Holland & Holland, my Grandfather was born in 1910, and lived in Kensel Green, not far from our factory and he always use to tell me about Holland & Holland, and he was most fond of the passion and the history of the brand and I too share this fondness.