As a not-for-profit institution, any income generated from events is used across the College to keep costs lower, provide improvements to facilities and to maintain higher levels of services and staffing. Our busy Events team operates year-round, delivering room booking/management and event services catering to the needs of our entire College community, as well as external bookings from Cambridge University and commercial clients.
“Striking the right balance between generating income and serving the needs of our students and the broader College community is essential to maintaining the vibrant and supportive environment that defines our institution.” Sue James, Events Manager
Summer is one of our busiest seasons for external bookings, during which the College also hosts undergraduates on internships and many postgraduates who stay on-site throughout the summer. Between the end of term and the start of the new academic year, the Events team will have managed nearly 300 events. These include 24 garden parties and BBQs, 45 day meetings, over 5,100 lunches and dinners, 14 summer school programs, 29 residential conferences, and one wedding!
Our Accommodation team has also been hard at work, handling more than 14,500 bed-and-breakfast guest room nights during this period. As the College gears up for a new academic year, the team is already preparing for the festive season, with 4,000 Christmas meals and over 20 Easter events booked for 2024.
Churchill College has 191 non-academic staff, of which around 85 are involved in supporting events, including Housekeeping, Kitchen, Catering, Hospitality Porters and Porter’s Lodge. The Events, Accommodation and AV teams make up a further 11 staff members and we met with all three teams to find out more about them!
