Why I Joined: A Conversation with Max

How you first came to join the Club

I joined a Property Lunch as a guest. It was the eloquence of the Guest speaker, with the respectful acknowledgements of the facilitators, combined with the warmth of numerous members keen to show me around that framed my introduction to the Club, and motivated me to continue my enquiry about membership.

Whether you were introduced by another Member

I was introduced by Daniel Tonino. Another great insight into my internal assessment that I had likely found my tribe. A true gentleman, who is both interesting and warm. And, Italian. What more can I say.

What initially attracted you to membership

I started a consulting company in May 2024 and wanted to expand my network. After 11 years with Shell, my diary of contacts was small and narrow and I needed a strong community to interact with to support my consultancy journey. But I knew I wanted more than networking. I wanted a community of like minded people who felt familiar in an environment that felt like home. The Cellar, the staff, the snooker tables, the food quality. the events calendar, the fine pairing of high standards free from pretentiousness, were all enough for me to quickly decide I had found my club. And, I had been looking around for a year or so prior without stumbling across the right feeling.

What has kept you engaged over the years

Well, I have only been a member for 6 months. My reflection on this question is that members need to engage with the Club as much as the Club needs to creating the forum for engaging moments. I have thrown myself into dinners, wine events, driving events, Duck & Pinot!, the Snooker team and plenty of social chit chats. So I am engaged and plan to remain engaged.

If I could offer a reflection of what might help keep me engaged when it is not events or networking I am seeking out. The grand piano in the main salon is collecting dust. The light touch Spotify playlist humming away in the background feels like a missed opportunity to me. But, what would engage me to come in just to enjoy the ambience of the Club, invite guests along and help grow the brand presence. A live pianist. A small financial commitment in the context of our combined membership fees that pays back exponential returns in creating an ambience that attracts people in (and probably keeps them there longer). The stage is set in that space. But I don’t want to hear myself think in there. I want some energy. Why have members soak up energy and ambience elsewhere?

Any memorable friendships, experiences or opportunities that have come through the Club

I used the occasion of the Aston Martin night to ask a friend of mine to be a Groomsman at my wedding. I have rediscovered both the pain and glory of playing snooker again. And, my community is growing within the club. In summary, it is early days, but it is clear to see that quality new friendships are being created and fun experiences keep rolling in. New opportunities….we shall see.