Introducing new Council Members

Club Chairman, Stan Ainsley, is delighted to announce that in September 2020 Club Members, Jenna Shanks and Stuart Walsh, were co-opted onto Council, the board of directors.

Speaking after a recent Board Meeting Stan said “Council and I are very pleased to welcome Jenna and Stuart on to the board. They are both enjoying very successful careers and possess relevant skills, experience and in particular passion and drive to aid Council in navigating the next chapter in the Club’s history. I’m sure you will join me in congratulating them in their new roles.”.

Jenna, who is originally from South Africa, has lived in Henley for the past 20 years and is the youngest Member on Council. A Member of Phyllis Court since 2017, Jenna started out as a Membership Ambassador for the Club, providing a friendly face at prospective new Member evenings, before joining the Membership Committee in late 2017. 

Jenna has had a busy career working within the Cloud, IT and Telecoms industries. More recently Jenna has ventured into the Charity sector, working with influencers and celebrities to raise money and is now the co-owner of a company with her brother. As an avid gym goer and lover of fitness Jenna makes the most of the Clubs fitness facilities and enjoys meeting other Members who share the same interest.  
In the past Jenna has been involved with the River and Boating Group and Computer Group, when her busy travelling schedule allowed.

Commenting on her new role, Jenna said: “Joining Council at this time is an exciting opportunity and there have already been many changes in the short time I have been involved. Over the last  six months and counting the Club has adapted wonderfully to the many restrictions and challenges in place, making sure, where possible, different offerings are being pursued to give Members the opportunity to still enjoy the Club and grounds. I am excited to be a part of navigating this ‘new normal’ which has been bought about by the restrictions of Covid-19. I’m looking forward to working with, and learning from, the other Council Members and the Phyllis Court team, who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.”

Stuart Walsh has been a Member of Phyllis Court since 2018. He moved to Stonor 13 years ago with his wife and daughter. During this time Stuart visited Phyllis Court as a guest on several occasions and thoroughly enjoyed what the Club had to offer. When the Fitness Centre was the introduced in 2018, Stuart and his wife finally applied to become Members. 

Stuart has enjoyed a successful career in finance. He worked for GE Capital, providing financing to businesses in the UK, Europe and US, before running his own specialist finance company, serving the franchise sector. He sold his business in 2018 and today Stuart is a business consultant, helping local business owners to succeed. 

When Stuart is not spending time at the Club or walking his black labrador, Alfie, he enjoys travelling and pursuing his passions for sailing and skiing! 

Stuart is delighted to have joined Council and said “I am looking forward to being involved in helping to shape the future of our Club. These are unusual times and I think Chris Hogan, all the staff and Members of Council have done an excellent job in responding to the exceptional challenges presented by the pandemic. I’m keen to bring my passion and experience to Council to help respond to the evolving needs of the modern world whilst retaining our standards and the excellence that make us proud to belong to the Club. Having recently sold my business, I also now have more time to make use of the social opportunities that the Club has to offer, along with the bars and restaurants where I hope to get to know more Members. Looks like I’ll need to be spending more time at the fitness centre too!”

Jenna and Stuart will remain on Council until the AGM next year, under the terms set out in Rules 13.2(1) and 13.5(1). We are sure you will join us in welcoming them both.