You may have noticed a spring in Pete Cross’s step of late, as he moves away from his official position as Managing Director into a more artistic role as Creative Director at the Union Club. Calling time on his current duties, Pete has decided to take a sideways step to allow the creative side of the club to flourish. In so doing, he has handed over the reins to new MD, Eamonn Cole.
If you haven’t met Eamonn yet, he’s bound to greet you with a cheery ‘hello’ in a soft Irish accent on his rounds of the club. Eamonn has a long history of working in the hospitality and events sector, joining the club after seven years of service as Conference Centre Director at the CEME Conference Centre in East London. Previous to that, Eamonn spent over nine years as General Operations Manager at the Victory Services Club in Westminster, so he’s no stranger to the world of private members clubs.
Pete, who has served as Union Club MD for the last 25 years, will still be heavily involved in the club, though will be able to concentrate more fully on the areas he enjoys most, such as collecting new pieces of art and furnishings to add to the marvelous, eclectic feel of the building.
Pete will continue to conduct member introductions and show rounds, but will now have time to develop what it means to be a member, engaging more fully with those in the arts, theatre, film and media, to ensure the Union continues to offer the best in private club membership.
In true Pete fashion, he won’t be keeping a low profile. You’ll still find him in the center of Union Club events and at his favourite spot at the bar, ‘sampling and tasting the wines’ on behalf of the members from the Union cellar. As Pete says – “it’s a difficult job but someone has to do it!”.