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Press Releases - Farnham Castle
Please find below our latest press releases. For further information on any of these, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Farnham Castle Partners With Coach Africa to Deliver Intercultural Training
08 February 2012
World renowned intercultural training organisation, Farnham Castle, has today announced it has partnered with Coach Africa to deliver intercultural and team building programmes throughout Africa and the rest of the world.
“The aim of the programmes is to help expatriates in the localisation process by developing intercultural understanding through team building,” confirms Jeff Toms, client services and marketing director, Farnham Castle. “For more than 50 years we have provided intercultural business skills training and global mobility programmes for every country in the world. Partnering with a reputable organisation such as Coach Africa, helps us continue to extend our reach within specific regions of growing importance.”
"Our strong local presence and detailed knowledge combined with the intercultural skills training provided by Farnham Castle has created a unique offering," confirms Norah Bwaya executive director of Coach Africa. “So far, we have already delivered more than 30 joint programmes in conjunction with Farnham Castle in Ghana, Uganda and London and anticipate continued interest in our offering from organisations re-locating staff and looking to develop trade links to the region.”
Farnham Castle is a world leader in intercultural business skills training and global mobility programmes and can help with more detailed briefings on individual cultures. Farnham Castle provides a comprehensive range of face-to-face, live web-based and podcast format programmes designed to provide the cross-cultural skills and understanding required to be more effective in the global business environment. For further information visit www.farnhamcastle.com or call 01252 721194
Farnham Castle Wins Waverley ‘Overall Design Award’
09 December 2011
Farnham Castle has been named as the overall winner of the prestigious Waverley Design Awards for its sensitive restoration of the Castle’s 12th Century Keep and creation of a ‘900 Years of Living History’ exhibition. The Waverley Design Awards scheme, first introduced in 1995 to encourage an interest in the quality of the built and natural environment in the Borough, also recognised Farnham Castle with the Building and Conservation and Interpretation award, as well as a special highly commended Community Award, at a ceremony at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham this week.
“It has been quite a week for Farnham Castle, as this exciting news follows our Hudson Heritage award win for Best Corporate Venue and a silver award in the Business Tourism Finalist category for the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence,” confirms Phil Hackett chief executive at Farnham Castle. “However, winning the Waverley Design Awards is a particularly special achievement, as it recognises the work of the whole team who painstakingly contributed to the restoration project including: our own staff, local architects Crane & Associates who designed the Oak Pavilion to protect the foundations and walls of the original Keep’s tower, Oakwrights Ltd of Frensham who constructed the Pavilion and structural engineer, Andrew Waring.”
In June 2010 Jeremy Hunt, MP and Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport officially re-opened the Keep to the general public following a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of over £700,000 which enabled the completion of this major restoration project.
This year, Farnham Castle also opened the exhibition; ‘900 Years of Living History’ which represents a unique insight into the Castle and the role the bishops played throughout a millennium of history. The story tells of the evolution of the Keep and palace buildings that made up the Castle as a home, meeting place, battleground and as a favourite haunt of royalty through the centuries.
As a Community Activity project, the exhibition has been created by an association of the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham and Farnham Castle to tell the fascinating story through highly creative displays of design and craftsmanship of UCA staff and students. Farnham Castle has ensured this historic site has been made as widely accessible as possible to the public and the Keep and exhibition are now open free of charge to visitors, seven days a week, throughout most of the year.
For further information about Farnham Castle, please visit: www.farnhamcastle.com
Farnham Castle Wins Hudson’s Heritage Award for Best Corporate Venue
02 December 2011
Leading conference and events venue, Farnham Castle, has seen off fierce competition to win the Best Corporate Venue category in the distinguished Hudson’s Heritage Awards. The winners of the awards, which recognise the Nation's Finest Heritage Venues, were announced yesterday at a special lunch ceremony in London.
“Farnham Castle was built in 1138 by a grandson of William the Conqueror and is one of the most important historical buildings in South East England,” confirms Jeff Toms, client services and marketing director at Farnham Castle. “In more recent years, this unique venue has been sensitively adapted and modernised to accommodate a state-of-the-art corporate meeting and conference centre, as well as a favoured wedding venue. In addition, for nearly 50 years, the Castle has been the home of the world-renowned Farnham Castle International Briefing Centre, providing Intercultural Business Skills training and Global Mobility Programmes to employees of the world's leading companies as well as UK and Overseas governments.
“Preservation of the Castle’s buildings and grounds and improving accessibility for the benefit of the wider public is one of our main charitable objectives,” continues Toms. “However, it is our unique ‘self-funding’ business model that supports this aim combined with our business-minded approach that has allowed Farnham Castle to be named as the winner for this prestigious award. We are delighted to have been recognised in this way and the award is a testament to the dedication of the whole team at Farnham Castle who work to maintain the upkeep of this stunning building and ensure all our guests from the UK and overseas, always enjoy a memorable visit.”
The Castle can cater for upto 120 day and around 30 residential conference delegates. It has 14 fully equipped meeting rooms available for corporate hire and offers 32 en-suite bedrooms. Wi-fi facilities are available throughout most of the building. High quality private dining facilities for small groups, corporate banqueting and a restaurant located in the original Norman kitchens are provided by Farnham Castle’s own chefs. The Castle regularly attracts around 17,000 corporate guests each year taking advantage of the unique training, conference and event facilities that have been created.
For more information about Farnham Castle visit www.farnhamcastle.com or call 01252 721194
Farnham Castle Selected as Business Tourism Finalist in Beautiful South Awards for Excellence
10 November 2011
Farnham Castle has announced today, it has been selected as a finalist in the Business Tourism Finalist category for the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence. The awards, run by Tourism South East and the Services for Tourism, recognise the leading tourist attractions in the region. Previous winners in various categories, include the likes of: Ascot Racecourse, Pennyhill Park Hotel and Tylney Hall Hotel, Hampshire.
“Farnham Castle’s major charitable objective is the preservation of the Castle buildings and grounds,” explains Jeff Toms, marketing and client services director, Farnham Castle. “However, it is our ‘business minded’ approach to the preservation and maintenance of the Castle for the benefit of community that I believe has resulted in us being selected as a finalist for this prestigious award.”
To support its preservation, Farnham Castle, operates as a business and conference and corporate and private events venue centre, in addition to being a world leading provider of Intercultural Business Skills training. The Castle is also a sought after venue for wedding receptions and other community activities. Recent major restoration projects have made the Castle and grounds widely accessible to the general public.
“The Castle regularly attracts around 17,000 corporate guests each year taking advantage of the unique training, conference and event facilities that have been created,” continues Toms. “Despite the pressures of the current economic situation Farnham Castle continues to see a year on year growth in visitor numbers with high levels of repeat business from both international, national and local clients.
“Our business model attracts paying customers while making the site as freely accessible as possible to the general public. As a charity, all revenue generated is re-invested into the Castle’s up-keep,” confirms Toms. “Since taking over the management of the Castle’s Keep from English Heritage last year, we are now attracting up to 500 additional public visitors each week, representing an increase of 400% in numbers year on year who can now enjoy visiting the Keep and our exhibition for free.”
The winners of the Beautiful South Awards for Excellence will be announced at a ceremony held at Denbies Wine Estate in Surrey on 1 December.
For more information about Farnham Castle visit www.farnhamcastle.com or call 01252 721194
Farnham Castle to Host Open Activity Day
19 September 2011
Farnham Castle Conference and Events Centre will open its doors on Thursday, 13 October, inviting guests to come and view its facilities and participate in a whole host of activities from Axe Throwing to Archery. The Castle will welcome visitors between 7.30am - 9.30am and again between 4.30pm – 6.30pm, to meet the conference and events team, explore the Castle and enjoy refreshments specially prepared in the Norman Kitchen.
Register by going to http://farnhamcastle.eventbrite.com/
“This is a great opportunity to come and see for yourself and experience all the benefits and opportunities that Farnham Castle has to offer as one of the leading conference and events venues in the region,” explains Jeff Toms, marketing and client services director at Farnham Castle. “We will be providing short guided tours of the building, meeting rooms, accommodation and historical attractions including the recent restoration at the Castle.
“In addition, within the Castle’s 5 acres of cultivated gardens, local events company, Country Wide Special Events, will be helping visitors put their skills to the test by allowing them to try Axe Throwing and Archery: said to be the noble sport of kings and one of the country’s oldest pursuits,” continues Toms. “Entertainment and indoor team building activities will also be on offer to guests, as well as displays about the Castle and give-aways to take home.”
The Hogs Back Brewery will be donating some special tasting samples and Eden Blooms of Farnham will supply flowers on the day. Local AV company, Saville Audio Visual, will provide a display of equipment and will be on hand to discuss how to enhance your conference visitors’ experiences.
For further information please visit www.farnhamcastle.com or call 01252 721194
Farnham Castle Short Listed for the Waverly Design Awards
17 August 2011
Farnham Castle’s 12th Century Keep and 900 Years of Living History exhibition have been short listed for the prestigious Waverly Design Awards. In June 2010 Jeremy Hunt, MP and Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport officially re-opened the Keep to the general public following a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of over £700,000 which enabled the completion of a major restoration project. As a result, Farnham Castle has ensured this historic site has been made as widely accessible as possible to the public. The Keep and exhibition are now open free of charge to visitors, seven days a week, throughout most of the year.
“The major feature of the building work was the creation of an environmentally sustainable sourced oak framed pavilion, staircase and illuminated viewing platform allowing visitors to study the foundations of the original Keep tower,” explains Jeff Toms, marketing and client services director at Farnham Castle. “The structure was designed by local architects Crane & Associates. It was constructed by Oakwrights Ltd of Frensham to protect the tower and replicate similar buildings of the age. The structural engineer on the project was Andrew Waring.”
Detailed research undertaken by the Castle’s Education Officer, Orian Hutton, tells the fascinating story of the site through interpretation boards, designed by local graphic designers Foster de Kretser and the stunningly creative exhibition designed and produced by staff and students from the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham.
“Since we have been able to bring the castle site under the single management of Farnham Castle and remove the Keep admission fee, it has been attracting up to 500 visitors per week,” continues Toms. “We are delighted to have been short listed for this prestigious award, which recognises the efforts our whole team went to, to painstakingly restore this important ancient monument, in order to make it accessible to as wide an audience as possible.”
Winners of the Waverly Design Awards will be announced in the autumn, with the award ceremony taking place at the University for the Creative Arts, Farnham in December 2011. For further information about Farnham Castle, please visit: www.farnhamcastle.com
Farnham Castle backs Waverley launch of Food Hygiene Rating System
01 July 2011
Local conference and event centre and world renowned intercultural training organisation, Farnham Castle, has backed Waverley Borough Council’s roll-out of the National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. The new scheme run by local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in partnership with the Food Standards Agency aims to give consumers information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, takeaways, hotels and other places you eat. The scheme was launched in the region by The Mayor, councillor Richard Gates, at a special event held at the Waverly Council offices on 1 June.
“Local authorities are responsible for carrying out inspections of food businesses to check that they meet the requirements of food hygiene law,” explains Phil Hackett, chief executive of Farnham Castle. “The rating given shows how well the business does overall, judged on how hygienically the food is handled, the cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation of the building, plus how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe.
“A Rating on a scale of 0-5 is awarded,” continues Hackett. “The new scheme encourages businesses to display stickers and certificates showing their allocated rating and in addition, the information is available on-line on the Foods Standards Agency website (www.food.gov.uk) which means complete transparency on this important issue.”
Farnham Castle which offers conference and event facilities recently scored the 5 – “Very Good” highest food hygiene rating. For more information please call 01252 721194. Information about Farnham Castle can be found at: www.farnhamcastle.com
Farnham Castle to Host Free Webinar on Leadership Skills for Managing Global Teams
22 June 2011
World renowned intercultural training organisation, Farnham Castle, has announced it is to host a free webinar entitled ‘Seven Leadership Skills for Managing Global Teams’. This high-energy 45 minute broadcast will assist in identifying how to be more effective in managing remotely and will be held on Wednesday 20th July 2011 at 10.30am (BST).
“The main issue with remote teams is the narrowing of possible exchange due to the restrictions of the media,” explains Jeff Toms, director of marketing and client services at Farnham Castle. “In this webinar, we will suggest methods to enhance your presence, impact and influence from a distance.
”We will also demonstrate a model of cultural difference that may surprise you!” continues Toms. “Through a new way of looking at cultural difference you will discover new possibilities to create trust across the bridge that is culture. In addition, we will cover the critical differences between managing, leading and influencing and show you what works well and where others often get it so wrong as well as looking at building trust remotely and dealing with conflict.”
The webinar is aimed at those working with remote teams or within a diverse team.
“This is a unique and comfortable opportunity to measure your readiness and ability in dealing with difference and distance,” confirms Toms. “It will raise your awareness of your “cultural blind spots” and, in so doing, free yourself to become much more effective in managing remotely and getting the job done.”
For more information or to confirm your place on the free webinar please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Laura Mayo +44 (0)1252 720419 or Matthew MacLachlan +44 (0)1252 720407. Further Information about Farnham Castle can be found at: www.farnhamcastle.com
Farnham Castle Appoints New Chief Executive
11 April 2011
Farnham Castle, leading conference and events venue and world leader in intercultural business skills training and global mobility programmes has today announced the appointment of Phil Hackett as its new chief executive. Hackett takes over from Jim Twiss, the former chief executive at the Castle for ten years, who retired last month.
Previously Hackett has worked for some of the country’s finest cultural icons; having managed and promoted over 500 destinations and attractions including museums, galleries, sculpture parks, historic abbeys, castles, stately homes, heritage sites, ancient monuments; World Heritage Sites & areas of outstanding natural beauty. He joins Farnham Castle from Shakespeare Country, the tourist board for Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Royal Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, the Cotswolds and the quintessential English market towns and villages in the Heart of England, where he was chief executive for over three years.
Phil Hackett commented: “I am delighted to be continuing the excellent legacy Jim Twiss and the team have created at the Castle over the last decade. The buildings and the site’s heritage have been restored, conserved and interpreted to the very highest standards with the generous assistance of the Heritage Lottery Fund. It is now time for us to start offering these outstanding facilities to a wider audience while at the same time, continuing to deliver the same high levels of service that Farnham Castle has gained an enviable reputation for over many years.”
Hackett’s remit will be to strengthen and develop Farnham Castle’s charitable aims through the development of additional revenue generating business and to maximise the opportunities to deliver a first class service during the current challenging financial times.
“Farnham Castle has a solid reputation as a leader in the field of intercultural business skills training and global mobility programmes,” continues Phil Hackett. “However, we are also an outstanding venue for conferences, private events, weddings and business meetings, providing quality customer service in one of the most impressive, award nominated, iconic buildings of international historical significance. I will be working with the help of the entire team to promote the organisation’s unique proposition to take our business model forward to the next level.”
For further information see: www.farnhamcastle.com
