Living history
Despite their slightly exclusive aura, private members clubs have been addressing the needs and ambitions of modernisation like any other organisation. However, it is not always an easy road and requires delicate leadership and a clear vision. En Passant met with the Club Secretary and Chief Executive of The Army and Navy Club to discuss its ongoing evolution, which has been a careful balance of preserving history whilst developing the operation to meet modern demands.
by Heather Gibson
Having served as a helicopter pilot for the majority of his naval career, Commander Anthony Holt MBE RN held appointments during his latter years which included Flag Lieutenant to the Admiralty Board and Officer within the Royal Air Force Central Tactics and Trials Unit.
This has perhaps provided him with the unique skill set to drive forward an agenda of change within the Army and Navy Club as its Chief Executive. As with most professions, there is a unique interaction - culture and language - involved when dealing with some of the most respected and decorated officers in the armed forces as well as leaders of industry and commerce, and Commander Holt is one of the few who is probably able to understand all the subtle nuances and still know how to influence and achieve change. It is a role that he clearly enjoys - relishes in fact.
This is a challenging period for the club as times are changing.The club needs to appeal to a wider audience than has previously been the case; “Armed Forces, in general, are a declining pool around the world, so it’s harder to grow your membership through the reliance upon one stream”, observes Commander Holt. Unlike other commercial organisations who have set about securing their long-term future, clubs such as The Army and Navy are not able to open up to members of the general public to address commercial priorities, necessitating a different approach to raising performance.
A clear deep affection…
Commander Holt is an intriguing character. He is, as one would expect, very charming and polite. At first, he listens and observes but once relaxed, he reveals a very warm personality which displays a clear, deep affection for the club, the members and the employees. As he talks, his eyes sparkle with enthusiasm and I can imagine that he might be pleasantly mischievous at times. As we talk, he recounts a number of tales of his career that are funny, insightful and sometimes shocking. Each tale revealed a man who is worldly and experienced.He would be no one’s fool yet always considerate of others - a rare combination in today’s age.
It is clear that he possesses many of the traditional qualities one would expect of a senior member of the armed forces - trust, loyalty, and high principles. As one talks to him, it occurs that, in many ways, he is the story of the club’s development as it is his understanding of the need for change, coupled with preserving the traditional that is allowing the club to move forward in an arguably smoother fashion than some of its contempories. Commander Holt would not approve of such accolades as he would prefer a more modest approach, but as one listens to his stories, and achievements one wonders if a more arrogant man would have achieved as much. Evolving a club may sound simple but it is a very fine balancing act that few are able to do as it needs to be achieved via committees and with a membership that is naturally resistant to change. This can be problematic for even the most patient of people. It requires great diplomacy and skill to ensure that agendas are progressed.To achieve real meaningful change can only happen if the “leadership” is truly trusted. And hence why the story of Commander Holt is the story.There are many stories about club secretaries who have maintained the status quo but this one is about quiet yet significant evolution.
So what has Commander Holt achieved?
Having joined the Club ten years ago, Commander Holt has set about ensuring that any change addresses both the physical and emotional needs of the club and its members. “Many of our members tend to think of the place as ‘my’ club - or a London second ‘home’.
Commercially there is an expectation to deliver a five star service, but at modest cost.This is clearly a difficult balance to strike but one for which we have to strive,” notes Commander Holt.To this end, the club has improved its guest services across the board, including WIFI access, enhanced guest accommodation (complete with airconditioning) and a comprehensive security system.Widening the scope of membership options available has been an important milestone.With a new category of membership introduced - called ‘Friends of Members’ - the Club is now able to consider applications from individuals recommended by Full or Military members of the Club.Whilst this new category must not constitute more than 15% of the total membership population (55% are Full Members who have held commissions in the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth, whilst 30% are Associates), the message is clearly aimed at promoting the club’s services to a more diverse audience.
Expanding access to a broader demographic is also part of Commander Holt’s vision for ensuring the sustainability of the club.He successfully attained equal rights for female members, the first London Club to achieve this milestone.Whilst there was obviously some debate when this initiative was introduced, including some pronounced objections from a small minority, the dust has settled to the extent where the topic is “barely mentioned”. In addition to raising the bar for women, Commander Holt is acutely aware of the need to evolve the age profile of the Club, with free membership offered to each new officer on commissioning. “I want the club to be a home away from home to members, along the lines of an officers mess,” notes Commander Holt.The aim is to engage directly with potential new members and offer them a tour of the club’s modern and interesting facilities. Given the multitude of alternative opportunities for leisure available when visiting London, and some of the perceptions of younger generations as to the club’s style, this remains a key challenge.
Full commitment…
Again,we find the story does come back to Commander Holt’s approach. Driven and focused on providing the club with the “tender loving care” it needs, he is also an accomplished strategist; something which he applies well to the more challenging tasks of dealing with specific member requests, constitutional matters, or working with external parties such as Westminster Council. “My job can often be ensuring that managing a possible ‘bright idea’ from one of our members, recognises some of the legal and practical issues involved - at times you do have be quite careful! I believe that we are seen as leading the way amongst clubs of this nature, and I am committed to ensuring that the Army and Navy gets what it needs to succeed,” he states. Undoubtedly, though, there is a deep sense of history embedded with all facets of the club and it is as a custodian of its preservation that is perhaps most striking about Commander Holt’s approach. Involved with some of the most intricate discussions of the past 20 years at a political level - he has worked with Defence Ministers and senior officers - Commander Holt is acutely aware of the issues impacting on the armed forces past and present.
With the needs of members at the heart of the decision making process, Commander Holt has applied a gradualist change agenda and is entirely practical about what can and cannot be done.With so much history contained in its walls, The Army & Navy Club has its eyes set firmly on the future and has a steady hand guiding it.
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