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Still recovering from a cold and the dreaded lurgy, I wasn’t feeling at my best this morning. But I’ve made a promise to myself to attend more networking events, get out and see people. When you work for yourself, it can sometimes be a lonely place. It’s easy to become absorbed in the day-to-day work and forget how valuable it is to spend time with others, hear their stories and come away with a fresh perspective. So I’m pleased I made the effort to attend the Smiley Happy Pe

My allegiance is red. My concern is for Manchester. I should make one thing absolutely clear: I am a diehard Manchester United supporter. Always have been, always will be. But I also have a real affinity for Manchester City. That might sound an unusual admission from a United fan, but football loyalties and affection for people are not quite the same thing. I live in Altrincham, surrounded by people who are passionate City supporters. I know what their club meant to them long

Jonny presenting the then Greater Manchester Mayor (now PM) Andy Burnham apple juice from the family farm in Dunham Massey Manchester has always been an important commercial city, but the arrival of No 10 North gives it a new level of political and economic influence. The Prime Minister’s Manchester base is now operating from the city centre, with a focus on regional growth and greater devolution. Its arrival is already encouraging public-affairs firms, communications consult

After a busy few months, ten days in Italy offered something that is increasingly difficult to find: the chance to stop, breathe and properly recharge. We stayed in Lovere, a beautiful town on the northern shore of Lake Iseo. It does not attract the same international attention as Lake Garda or Lake Como—and perhaps that is part of its appeal. There were no great crowds to negotiate and no sense that we needed to rush from one attraction to the next. Instead, there was the pe

Today I spent the day at a holiday club in Sale, helping children make their own pizzas. Each child started with exactly the same thing – a freshly prepared pizza base, tomato sauce and cheese. From there, it was over to them. They chose their own toppings, created their own masterpiece and, before heading home, in their own decorated pizza box to carry it away. It was organised chaos, plenty of laughter and lots of proud faces. As I stood there watching the children, someth

Over the last few days, I’ve found myself reflecting on the recent 25th anniversary celebration for McHale & Co, and I’ve come to realise something.= I think I may initially have got the story slightly wrong. At first, I thought this was a story about the huge amount of effort I personally put into helping deliver the event — and yes, I did put a huge amount into it, because I wanted to make sure everything we did was absolutely right. But the more I’ve thought about it, the

Last week I spent two days volunteering at the NFU Let’s Talk Farming marquee at the Royal Cheshire County Show—something I have proudly been involved with for more than 20 years. Although I am no longer directly involved in agriculture, having left Red House Farm in 2019, farming remains a huge part of who I am and where many of my values were formed. Each year, I choose to give up two days of my time to be part of this incredible initiative, because I firmly believe agricul

One of the questions I am often asked is: "Where do you actually work?" The answer is simple. While many of my clients are based in Hale, Altrincham and Bowdon, my work rarely stays within those postcode boundaries. The role of a modern-day butler, concierge, trusted assistant or household manager is not tied to a single location. It is tied to solving problems, creating solutions and providing support wherever it is needed. This week was a perfect example. One morning I foun

Recently, I spent some time in Tarragona, Spain, home to the remarkable Port Tarraco superyacht marina. As you walk around the harbour, it's impossible not to be impressed. Some of the world's largest superyachts are moored quietly alongside the quayside, with vessels stretching well over 100 metres in length. The marina itself has been designed specifically to accommodate super, mega and giga yachts, offering deep-water berths and world-class facilities for some of the most

There are some places in the world that never really leave you once you’ve experienced them. On Sunday, I had the privilege of returning to one of them — the Tower of London. As someone based in Manchester, being invited to travel down to London to organise and deliver catering for a private event inside one of the most historic royal palaces in the world is something I never take for granted. What made the occasion even more special was the setting itself. The event was held

On one day, I might be stood in the centre of Manchester, looking up at the towers—close There’s a common misconception about roles like this. That it’s predictable. Routine. Structured in a way that follows a familiar rhythm. In reality, the opposite is true. No two days are the same. And for the clients I work with, that’s not just a detail—it’s the entire value. The Same City. Two Very Different Views. One Responsibility. On one day, I might be stood in the centre of Manch

There is a familiar situation playing out in many families across Hale, Altrincham and Bowdon. Parents are living independently, often in the same home they’ve been in for years. They are capable, active, and quite rightly value their independence. At the same time, their children are no longer close by. They may be in London, elsewhere in the UK, or living abroad. Their own lives are busy—careers, families, and commitments of their own. On the surface, everything is fine. Bu

There was a time when a well-run household relied on a team: a house manager, a PA, someone to oversee property matters, someone to organise the family’s schedule, and others to handle the day-to-day practicalities. Today, many people are quietly moving in the opposite direction. Not because their lives are simpler—but because they’ve become more complex. Modern households, particularly those balancing business interests, property, family life and demanding schedules, don’t j

For many families, a successful children’s celebration is not judged by how many games were played or how elaborate the entertainment looked on paper. With parties and the Kodak moment , what matters most is far simpler: that one photograph of the child blowing out the candles, face glowing in the warm light, eyes lit up, parents watching nearby. That is the image people remember. The best party planning starts there. A polished event still needs good food, thoughtful hosting