Paul Vesper

My family roots are in the Midlands but I moved to London at 18 to launch my hospitality career as a management trainee with a major hotels group. Since then my varied career has taken me around the globe with periods working in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

Much of my professional life was spent building and developing a major hospitality business, the Smart Group Ltd, and I masterminded the Olympic Hospitality Centre for the 2012 Games in London. I’ve led teams that delivered major events including the Chelsea Flower Show, Ryder Cup golf, Henley Regatta, Farnborough and Paris Air Shows, Buckingham Palace Garden Parties, Euro 96 soccer, Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and the Australian Open tennis.

Mentoring has been and remains a huge passion, and I am gratified that many of my protégés have gone on to achieve great success.

I love all sports, both spectating and partaking – where I remain fiercely competitive. Live music is another passion – rock, country, modern and dance. Travelling, dining out and exercise fill my remaining spare time.

I am greatly looking forward to working with both the staff and members of the NLC and sharing my wide-ranging experience to help drive up standards, enhance members’ experience and develop the Club’s considerable potential to attract new business.

Vita Rakstyte

 

Originally from Lithuania, I moved to London in 2003 and only planned to stay here a year, but fell in love with its architecture and multicultural population, so decided to make it my permanent home.

I’ve had a passion for numbers since a young age which led to me qualifying as an accountant. I am currently studying for CIMA
(Chartered Institute of Management Accountants), which I hope will see me one day a proud owner of the prized CIMA diploma.

I have mainly worked in the media sector (beauty and fashion). My last post was as Head of Finance for a major company offering services like location scouting, art buying, casting and logistics. With offices in Los Angeles, Paris and Rome, as well as London, this gave me the chance to travel and work with some of the most well-known designer brands in the world.

My main priority at the NLC has been to streamline and automate financial processes and bring the Club’s accounts into the 21st century. My time here hasn’t been without its challenges but I love the Club’s history, architecture and values and am very proud to be part of it.

In my spare time, my interests include snowboarding and reading strange facts.