THE TEAM
at Bilsington Priory
Libby Lawson
Managing Director
Managing Director of Bilsington Priory Estate, Team Leader and founding member of Team Priory! Libby started the wedding business over 21 years ago and her management skills and keen appreciation of service have helped establish Bilsington Priory as one of the premier wedding venues in Kent. Her attitude to a very personalised wedding experience allied to excellent service, is a benchmark for all members of our wedding team.
Zena Hale
Director
Zena has worked alongside Libby for the last 20 years, supporting the team to deliver a unique wedding experience to each and every couple who choose Bilsington Priory as their wedding venue. Zena and the other team members work closely with clients to ensure we understand their dreams and expectations for the 'Big Day', and do our utmost to deliver the experience their hearts desire.....Our Venue, Your Dream.
Robert & Jonathan Emson
Catering Team
Both have been carving their successful careers in catering since they both left school.
Robert took the road through hotel and corporate catering, working for Gardner Merchant alongside celebrity chef Gary Rhodes, preparing some of the finest dining for corporate directors at Gatwick Airport, Southern Water and American Express, before teaming up with brother Jonathan and venturing into restaurant ownership in 1998
Jonathan learnt his trade under a chef from London's Dorchester Hotel, one who had worked with Anton Mossiman and also served as private chef to the Prime Minister's table at 10 Downing Street.
Jonathan's career through four and five star hotels in the south of England also took him to France where he worked alongside chefs from the Roux Brothers restaurant, La Gavroche.
Returning to England to join Robert, they formed Emson Events, and served, among others, the Royal Families and government of the United Arab Emirates (catering for over 500 covers), and currently maintain exclusive catering rights with English Heritage for events at Dover, Deal and Walmer Castles, in addition to Hever Castle. Emson Events became exclusive in-house caterers here at Bilsington Priory, in 2007.