The Team
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Vicky Portinari
Head of CateringDETAILS -
Vicky Portinari
Head of Catering
BIO
Vicky has worked at The Inner Temple since 1993 when she joined as Deputy Manager. In 2007 she was promoted to Head of Catering where she has helped to guide the team through many memorable events including two visits from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. After a massive building project, The Inner Temple reopened in 2022 with two new floors and Vicky is very proud to have been part of the project team that delivered such amazing conference facilities.
When the weather allows Vicky enjoys pottering around her garden and has a particular admiration for Acer trees. She also enjoys musical theatre, in particular Les Mis, travelling to hot climates and sampling varieties of new gin.
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Priya Patel
Assistant Head of CateringDETAILS -
Priya Patel
Assistant Head of Catering
BIO
Priya studied Hotel Management in Cardiff and kicked started her career in hospitality at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Soon after she moved back home to London where she spent time working at The Royal Albert Hall, then moving to the O2 Arena in Greenwich. In 2009 Priya joined The Inner Temple, where there is never a dull moment, and she is kept on her toes.
In her spare time, she can be found with her family and young daughter playing chauffeur for the weekend or out with friends catching up over good food and wine.
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Sales and Marketing
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Stacey Barber
Sales and Marketing ManagerDETAILS -
Stacey Barber
Sales and Marketing Manager
BIO
Stacey’s sales and marketing career has covered much of the hospitality industry including, venues, bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. Working with Michelin stared restaurants, award winning venues and creating events for many notable clients, she loves the creativity that she has when it comes to working in such a dynamic industry. Stacey joined The Inner Temple in 2022 and is working towards putting the venue on the map as a leading meetings and events space.
Although a city girl at heart, Stacey also loves spending time in the great outdoors, taking long walks and being by the water. She is a lifelong learner, who lives for personal development.
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Maxine Reynolds
Sales ManagerDETAILS -
Maxine Reynolds
Sales Manager
BIO
Working in the events industry over the last 10 years, Maxine has gained experienced across diverse London venues including BMA House, Sunbeam Studios, and English Heritage properties, Eltham Palace, and Ranger’s House. Since 2020 Maxine has been a core part of the team at The Inner Temple. Although Maxine loves all types of events, her absolute favourites are weddings and summer parties!
When Maxine is not working, she enjoys cooking, visiting galleries and catching up with friends over dinner or drinks.
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Daisy Frost
Sales ManagerDETAILS -
Daisy Frost
Sales Manager
BIO
Having acquired a wealth of experience within the events industry, from working in creative event production, venue sales and marketing and working with high profile talent to deliver talent-led events, Daisy has a passion for creating unique experiences which nourish and inspire people. Daisy joined the expanding team in 2022 to help grow the commercial business.
At the weekend you will find Daisy catching up with friends and trying new London hotspots or visiting her family back in Brighton
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Natalia Lopez
Events and Sales ExecutiveDETAILS -
Natalia Lopez
Events and Sales Executive
BIO
Natalia has been working in the hospitality industry since school and always had an interest in planning events, coming from a big family where celebrations were frequent. Natalia has worked at the Victory Services Club as an Events and Sales Coordinator and the Honourable Artillery Company, managing member and regimental events. Natalia joined us in July 2024.
In her spare time Natalia loves to travel. When at home, she is busy planning her wedding, going out for walks or chilling with a good film. Natalia also has a passion for photography and baking.
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Events
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Adam Bracegirdle
Operations ManagerDETAILS -
Adam Bracegirdle
Operations Manager
BIO
Adam has a wealth of experience within 5-star events spaces across London and Greater London. Since re-joining The Inner Temple in 2020 Adam now heads up a large team overseeing both the front and back of house operations ensuring the smooth running of daily internal operations along with bespoke client events.
In his free time Adam enjoys cooking adventurous dishes from scratch, running, watching movies and socialising with friends.
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Csaba Hons
Events ManagerDETAILS -
Csaba Hons
Events Manager
BIO
Csaba started his hospitality career in 2013 where he worked front of house in conference and banqueting within hotels. He later moved over to venues where he started his journey in operations, managing events within venues such as The Law Society and Christ Church Spitalfields. In 2021 Csaba joined The Inner Temple team and brings with him a passion for planning large receptions and small dinners. He is also WSET trained in wines with his favourite being Gewürztraminer.
In his spare time Csaba is a keen gamer and traveller. He enjoys nothing more than discovering new cities and cultures with his goal of visiting three new countries a year. Csaba is also into his fitness and enjoys playing football, walking, and hitting the gym.
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Angel Loughlin
Event CoordinatorDETAILS -
Angel Loughlin
Event Coordinator
BIO
Angel’s expertise in events management was honed through dedicated studies at Canterbury and Christ Church University, where she graduated in 2020. Since then, her specialisation in event sales and delegate bookings makes her an asset in orchestrating successful and engaging experiences for guests.
Having worked as an event coordinator for a conference company, Angel’s professional experience has given her a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in planning and executing seamless events.
When not planning meetings and events, Angel enjoys indulging in her love for food. With a particular fondness for Italian cuisine and enjoys exploring local, family-owned restaurants to discover hidden culinary gems. Reading is another passion of Angel’s, with a preference for thrilling novels authored by the talented Colleen Hoover.
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Nick Sutton-Smith
Events ManagerDETAILS -
Nick Sutton-Smith
Events Manager
BIO
Nick, a seasoned event manager who began his London journey with us in late 2023, has a dynamic career rooted in his early days as a university bartender. Hailing from Birmingham, he transitioned from the lively bar scene to hotel events operations, bringing his passion for engaging with people to independent hotels.
Recently making the move to London, Nick thrives on the city’s hustle, immersing himself in its vibrant bars, restaurants, and diverse theatre scene. A sports enthusiast and poetry writer, he is a dedicated UFC follower and a proud Manchester United fan.
A Nottingham University alum with a degree in English and History, Nick is a history buff with a keen interest in ancient civilisations like Rome and Greece, as well as the complexities of the 20th century. His career trajectory, from bars to hotels, reflects a natural progression that integrates his love for people and hospitality.
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Kitchen
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Robert Lamb
Executive ChefDETAILS -
Robert Lamb
Executive Chef
BIO
Throughout Robert’s career he has been responsible for the development of food creativity and unit development. Prior to joining The Inner Temple in 2022 he enjoyed a successful career working with some of the leading caterers across the UK including CH & Co, Elior UK and Baxter Storey, plus, time at Chelsea FC, Fulham FC, Arsenal FC, and Wembley stadium. Robbie’s passion for food and developing people beyond their maximum potential, has enabled him to enjoy a fulfilling career to date.
Robert would consider himself a petrol head and loves motorsport. He enjoys nothing more than racing round a track at 100mph.
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Michael Wilson
Head ChefDETAILS -
Michael Wilson
Head Chef
BIO
Michael started his catering career in Yorkshire working in hotels before moving to London and gaining experience in restaurants. He started in venue catering at The Inner Temple in 2015 with a stint at the HAC. This is by far a contrast to his early career as an engineer working in Hong Kong, North Yemen, Iraq, and various towns around the UK.
Whenever possible Michael likes to return to his homeland of Yorkshire especially the lakes and moors of North Yorkshire. He also enjoys travelling the world and dining out.
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Operation Support
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Salvatore Giordano
Back of House ManagerDETAILS -
Salvatore Giordano
Back of House Manager
BIO
Salvatore joined us early 2023 and throughout his successful career, he has been dedicated to the role of Back of House Manager. He has gained valuable experience working in different countries, including Italy, Bermuda, and the US in cities like Boston and Orlando. Despite having studied Modern Languages and Literatures, Salvatore’s passion for hospitality led him to flourish in this field, developing both professional and social skills along the way.
With a love for travel and a record of flying 2 million miles, Salvatore enjoys exploring the world, seeking new adventures and experiences. While he cherishes visiting iconic places like the Grand Canyon or relaxing in the lagoon at Bora Bora, what truly excites him is the thrill of flying, regardless of the airline.
During his downtime, Salvatore finds joy in the simple pleasures, like sitting in the field opposite Heathrow at Hatton Cross, savouring a cold lager. He nurtures an interest in mathematics and dreams of pursuing it further in his next life.
As a dedicated fan of the Napoli Football Team, Salvatore passionately cheers, Forza Maradona, honouring the legendary player’s legacy.
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Tim Maggs
Cellar ManagerDETAILS -
Tim Maggs
Cellar Manager
BIO
Tim joined the team in January 2023 and is a French wine scholar, with WSET Level 3. His passion for wine starting when he lived in Jura France. From wine school to working in Borough Market and an independent wine bar in east London he has developed his pallet, but a bottle of Chardonnay from Jura is still his go to. For Tim wine encompasses many topics, including geography, science, nature, culture, and history which is why he is so enamoured by it.
Wine isn’t the only thing on Tim’s agenda, he enjoys visiting restaurants around London. From authentic soul food to modern fine dining and everything in between. He is also a regular at many of the city’s cultural and historical galleries, museums, and the Jazz Café in Camden.
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Pegasus Bar & Restaurant
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Christopher Foley
Restaurant ManagerDETAILS -
Christopher Foley
Restaurant Manager
BIO
Chris joins us as the manager of Pegasus Bar & Restaurant, bringing a wealth of hospitality experience gained over 15 years. Starting as a bartender in Nottingham’s vibrant scene, he advanced through food and beverage and events management with Park Plaza and working most recently as Restaurant Manager for Firmdale Hotels. Now, as part of the Pegasus team since January 2024, Chris is dedicated to delivering quality, solving challenges, and ensuring every guest experiences the best.
Chris is a passionate foodie, he spends most of his free time discovering new restaurants and bars, savouring diverse cuisines, and enjoying the dining-out experience. As an aficionado of authentic pizza (without pineapple!) and a Negroni lover, his personal tastes underscore a commitment to the genuine hospitality experience.
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Finance
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Agnieszka Chojnacka
Management AccountantDETAILS -
Agnieszka Chojnacka
Management Accountant
BIO
Aga started her career in the hospitality 16 years ago and progressed through numerous front and back of house positions working her way up to the position she is in today. After studying finance in Poland and a master’s in management accounting and financial modelling Aga found her passion for figures, with her first accounts role at the Natural History Museum with Benugo and then a finance role with Baxterstorey. Aga joined The Inner Temple team in 2016.
When she isn’t focused on accounts and excel spreadsheets, Aga spends time travelling to Greece, Croatia, and Italy where she enjoys the food, weather, the warm sea and visiting the old towns. She is also a keen skier, and heads to the Austrian and French slopes when she can. Aside from travel, Aga is a keen travel landscape photographer and personal development enthusiast.
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HR
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Lottie James
People ManagerDETAILS -
Lottie James
People Manager
BIO
Lottie started her HR career for a ski chalet company in the French alps and joined The Inner Temple in 2021 with a big part of her role to recruit the new catering team before the reopening of the building.
When not at work Lottie likes to ski during the winter, water ski during the summer and generally likes to keep herself active with other sports including tennis. Every year Lottie attends The London Sevens with friends and Goodwood Revival Festival with her family and their classic car.
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AV
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Vitaly Liubenko
AV EngineerDETAILS -
Vitaly Liubenko
AV Engineer
BIO
Vitaly began his sound engineering journey over 30 years ago, experimenting with equipment at school events and local venues.
His passion for sound grew alongside years of DJing and self-education in electronic music production. Over the years, Vitaly has worked as a freelance sound engineer at recording studios, festivals, and concerts, mastering both analogue and digital sound technologies.
In April 2024, Vitaly completed his degree in Audio Engineering and Production from the University of East London, adding to his earlier degree in IT. Vitaly joined The Inner Temple in September 2024.
In his spare time, Vitaly enjoys looking after his plants, DIY and travelling, having lived in countries across Europe and Asia!
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