Ten Group

Some of our experts

Everyone who works at Ten is a specialist in a particular field. Here are profiles of just a few of them:

Hernan Castro-Vidal – restaurant expert

As head of the restaurants, bars and clubs team at Ten, I've eaten out in practically every great restaurant in the country and still visit at least three a week to find new places that our members might like. I was born in Argentina and educated in the US so like to keep up-to-date with the international restaurant scene. I love working with members, finding the perfect place for every occasion and trying to open doors for them through our contacts with the maître d's of top restaurants and central reservations teams. Our members are among the most discerning diners in the world so I take careful note of their feedback and follow up on any recommendations they might have. Restaurants love to have our members as customers so will often contact me with cancellations and special offers. My team specialises in all types of restaurants, bars and clubs all over the world.

Lucy Brennan – tickets expert

After my degree in Arts, Music and Entertainment Management at LIPA, I began as a marketing assistant in a regional theatre in Hertfordshire. After two years and a promotion to marketing manager, I came to lifestyle concierge and have learned the ticketing trade inside out through experience.

In my spare time I'm a regular at Barnet's home football matches and I go to a lot of gigs. In my opinion the best venue in London is a tiny place called the Garage in Islington – I saw an amazing secret Razorlight gig there – but for big concerts I recommend the O2 hands down for atmosphere.

I speak to my contacts there on a daily basis, and for sell-out gigs anywhere I can often snag tickets through my relationships with record labels.

Damian Keady – home expert

With 23 years of experience in the UK building and construction industry, my all-round knowledge is invaluable for large projects. I have a thorough understanding of trades ranging from plumbing, heating systems and electrics, to joinery, plastering, roofing and hard landscaping. My knowledge and experience has helped our members on all types and sizes of projects, such as extensions, loft conversions, total refurbishments and new-builds. We have given members advice on pre-purchase building survey reports; interpreting the findings and advising on any issues they should be aware of. This advice is invaluable and gives members the confidence to make the right decisions on whether to proceed with buying a property.

Mark Lawrence – global head of travel

Mark has 21 years’ experience in the travel and leisure industry, and was recently sales and marketing director at Kuoni, one of the world’s leading luxury tour operators.

He was responsible for Kuoni’s reservation teams, retail networks, and the management of its relations with the travel trade. His focus at Ten is leading and developing its travel service as the wider company expands its international membership base.

Mark said: ‘Ten, as a lifestyle business, is focused on delivering really exceptional service and that’s what I’ve enjoyed throughout my career. Ten has really exciting plans and this was exactly the challenge I was looking for.’

Neil Docking – golf expert

Neil is our in-house golf pro at Ten lifestyle concierge.

He was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and says 'I have always been a sports nut. I love playing, watching, talking about and organising sport of any kind. My great-grandfather, grandfather and father all played golf and I discovered the game at a very young age: I love golf and all its traditions. I also played a lot of rugby, which won me a scholarship to the University of Cape Town, where I studied psychology. I am also a black belt in judo and played professional cricket in South Africa. But my passion is and always will be golf.'

Port Royal in Bermuda is his favourite course. He defines his favourite sporting moments as the South African cricket team’s narrow victory over Australia in Johannesburg during the 2006 ODI series and the 1995 Rugby World Cup win, where he was a ball boy.