When American Express reached out to us at D&G Group to create a bespoke, once in a lifetime experience for their most valued centurion members, we knew we had to create a night to remember for all involved.
With many of their prestigious guests being cricketing enthusiasts, there was only one place we could hold such a special occasion - the home of cricket - Lord’s Cricket Ground. With the Cricket World Cup in full swing and England’s chances of lifting the iconic trophy still being alive, the atmosphere was sure to be electric from start to finish, providing a priceless sense of luxury to their clients straight off the bat.
On arrival through the iconic Grace Gates, the intimate group were escorted through to the exclusive Member’s Lounge in The Pavilion. There is currently a 27-year waiting list, if you want to revel in such a marvel of sport, however these special attendees were sent straight to the front of the queue! Trading positions with The Pakistan Cricket team who departed after a days training, it was time to get the canapes circulating and the champagne flowing.
Having the perfect venue alone was certainly not enough for these high net worth individuals, so we went above and beyond to prove the incredible benefits American Express can continue to provide them with. England cricket legend and Ashes double winning captain Andrew Strauss joined our very own former Middlesex 1st teamer David Nash, to add to the wow factor and lead the way through the prestigious corners of Lord’s, normally untouched by members of the public.
Following in the footsteps of this England hero, guests took the walk with Andrew down the stairs to the fabled Long Room, captivated by the memorabilia, trophies and imagery that line the walls in celebration of English Cricket. Lord’s provided the magic and Andrew the context, with behind the scenes stories and all the inside knowledge he had to offer. The VIP nature of this experience grew further as the tour continued into The Committee Room, an exclusive area reserved for pros and managers of the game, where Andrew insightfully detailed the history of the space.
With the tour concluded, guests took their seats in the Committee Dining room, the perfect spot to network with fellow Amex card holders with all their newfound knowledge, over a delectable 3 course meal. With the chinking of glasses and savouring of food, both Andrew and David were the idyllic hosts to keep guests highly entertained throughout. No topic was off limits, and the level of engagement with guests ensured everyone would be leaving with sporting friends for life.
Based on the highs and lows of his extraordinary career, Andrew then gave the esteemed guests his personal thoughts on leadership and how they can apply it to their home and working lives. It was key to end on a corporate note, fortifying the relationship between American Express and their clients on not just a business level, but a personal one also.
After dinner was concluded, Andrew and David took centre stage to give a more in-depth personal recap of their time at the height of English Cricket. Each guest had the opportunity to ask the burning questions everyone wants to know, reliving their individual cricket memories through these decorated ex pros.
One of our goals at D&G Group has always been to maximise the funds that can be raised by our clients for their chosen charities, emphasising the importance of corporate social responsibility. Andrew spoke emotionally to the room about the fantastic work The Ruth Strauss Foundation continues to achieve fighting lung cancers, in memory of his beloved wife. Networking and business are of course an important factor in all our lives, but this sentimental moment reminded us that there is a much bigger picture, providing an emotional edge and fundraising opportunity for those touched by Andrew’s story.
The sumptuous evening ended with photos and autographs, so that this one-off experience would never be forgotten and could be shared with friends and family for many years to come.
D&G Group can tailor a wide range of unique and memorable events such as this to fit any occasion, perfect for corporate relationships. If you’re interested in a bespoke day, either start a live chat (purple button, bottom right) or drop us a message.
