Profile: Tracey Ashfield

There is a focus on softer, human skills with programmes developed in partnership with businesses and organisations. They can be in person (either at Ashorne Hill or at a client’s own premises), online or hybrid and can range from graduate through to leadership level.

A team of facilitators and associates deliver flagship programmes and also bespoke programmes for everything from SMEs right through to a graduate training programme for Jaguar Land Rover for around 300 to 400 people.

The venue’s surroundings – and its offering – help to entice clients.

It sits within 35 acres of beautiful Warwickshire countryside, and while it’s close to the M40 which makes it easy to get to, the only hum is from the onsite cattle!

It provides a dedicated learning environment. It boasts 40 meeting rooms and 110 bedrooms so is a huge benefit alongside being a learning provider, it also attracts events, private diners and teambuilding exercises.

“We can undertake training across all sectors,” said Tracey. “A lot of our clients come from the automotive, construction and the public sector and we specialise in leadership and management and, also, team development and graduate programmes.

“We get to hear what challenges clients have and help them to solve it. We gear the learners up for the future world of work.

“We take people on a learning journey. We’re not transactional at all. It’s not a tick box exercise or a case of getting a certificate at the end to say you’ve passed the learning. We really put them on a personal journey that continues beyond the programme.

“We like to embed the learning and build connections with people so they can formulate transformational growth. That’s done by focussing on human skills which is important for people and businesses to prosper. We like to offer that as face-to-face learning but we also do digital, blended programmes.

“When people come together they can share knowledge with their peers and use the facilitator to help and guide them and give them mentoring and coaching.

“We are really busy at the moment. The venue is thriving. We want people to come and have an experience rather than just come for the day and off they go. We want guests to create memories and have different experiences. We’ve got the grounds for team building (fun and learning based activities) along with an outdoor classroom which promotes creativity and brain storming ideas.

“There is so much we can do to support events including dining and even an escape room in the cellar!

“We’re so lucky where we are situated. As soon as you come up the drive you get that tranquil, calm feeling. It’s a learning environment that people like to be in and it helps them to self-reflect.

Profile: Tracey Ashfield

Married: Yes, to Richard for 20 years this September

Children: Two

Hobbies: Home DIY and going to musicals

Favourite Book: My dad’s autobiography

Favourite Film: Moulin Rouge

Last Holiday: A rural cottage in Hereford

Gadget: Battery pack for my iPhone

“It’s a pleasure to come to work. I didn’t realise when I came for the interview that I would still be here 22 years later! I think people think they have to move around and go to different places to find the perfect job but they sometimes don’t realise what they have already and I think we are lucky to have so many longstanding members of staff here.”

Part of the offer to clients is an Insights Discovery day, which starts with undertaking a psychometric test to work out their personalities and how they react to certain situations and other people. When an organisation helps its people reveal their individual combination of colour energies, they are better equipped to stay motivated and engaged, whether working individually, in a team or as a leader.

As an earth green, Tracey is very much a people person who puts a huge amount of emotion and feeling into her job and those she works with and on behalf of.

Moving into the role as Partnerships Manager over the past couple of years really plays to that strength.

“In my role, I get to go to a lot of events and by doing that I can bring back ideas of what the rest of the industry is doing,” she said.

“I’m part of the business development team. The main part of what we do is to build client relationships and then be able to bring in enquiries for training and venue bookings.

“I build partnerships with organisations such as the PAs Forum and the Chamber. I get to go to events and awards and promote Ashorne Hill and be introduced to a whole array of clients and customers.

“The PA is usually the gatekeeper of an organisation. They know what’s going on, what the challenges are and what training people might need.

“To be able to build that relationship with them, they can take that to their manager or director and we can collaborate with them and help them.

“We became an Influence Partner with the Chamber and that has already opened a lot of doors for us in terms of building new partnerships and learning from others.

“We’ve got to keep up with what’s happening in the industry and look at trends in learning and development, in the workplace and in the economy, and the Chamber is a good way of doing that and is another opportunity for me to build relationships.”

Away from the office, Tracey has a husband, Richard, who delivers flowers internationally and 14 and 17-year-old sons but none of her training or career experience has prepared her for her latest challenge.

“I’m teaching my 17-year-old to drive so that’s a new skill,” she said. “It takes a lot of patience!”