Ryan Griffiths highlights the moments that shaped his rise in the world of events.
Seven years ago, Ryan Griffiths was spending long summer days as a gardener, and quiet winters wondering what might come next. He never imagined that a Facebook advert for racecourse stewarding would spark a complete change in direction – one that would eventually lead him to managing some of the UK’s most high-profile events.
Ryan’s first shift wasn’t glamorous. Assigned to a lonely spot by the train tracks in the pouring rain, he could easily have walked away. Instead, he turned up the next day, determined to give it another go. That single decision to turn up again set Ryan on a path that would transform his career.
Within a short time, he discovered a passion for the fast-paced, high-energy world of events. His first steps came through Blue Arrow at Cheltenham and Ascot Racecourses as a subcontracted Steward, at a time when Carlisle only subcontracted a small percentage of its workforce. Even then, his unwavering dedication stood out. “It was a tough decision to leave gardening,” he recalls, “but I could see the opportunities ahead.”
When the chance came to join Carlisle directly, he never thought twice before joining the team. The move away from subcontracting not only provided Ryan the job security but also gave a platform to take on more responsibilities. Carlisle invested in his training, supported him to obtain an SIA badge, and gave him the room to grow into supervisory and eventually managerial roles. Ryan swapped gardening tools for radios and staff lists, rising quickly to work at some of the country’s most prestigious venues.
Today, at just 30, Ryan leads teams of up to 250 staff at one of the most high-profile events in the world – Royal Ascot. He’s managing one of Carlisle’s biggest contracts and leading hundreds of people through events seen by millions worldwide. It’s a role that brings pressure, long hours, and unpredictable challenges, from last-minute staff shortages to the responsibility of protecting high-profile guests that can include members of the Royal Family. Yet Ryan thrives on the adrenaline, and the rewards outweigh it all. “You take a step back afterwards and think, we’ve done this together. That’s what makes it worth it.”
His journey hasn’t been without challenges. Recruiting the right people for the right roles, learning to delegate, and balancing the pressures of personal time against the unsociable hours of the events world have all been steep learning curves. But Ryan credits both his Carlisle colleagues and his background in scouting for shaping his leadership style filled with empathy and appreciation. As one of the youngest District Commissioners in his area, he learned early how to guide, support, and inspire others – lessons he carries into his role today.
Culture matters deeply to Ryan. He has witnessed first-hand the shift from subcontracting to Carlisle’s own dedicated teams. “It’s not just about filling numbers anymore, people take pride in their work because they feel ownership,” he says. “That pride has paid off! Carlisle’s awards and recognition at Ascot have doubled, even as overall awards across the venue declined.”
Ryan is also quick to emphasise the importance of recognition and encouragement. Just as his own managers believed in him despite his age, he now makes it a priority to check in with staff, thank them, and keep morale high. “It’s not just about pointing out when things go wrong, it’s just as important to celebrate when people are doing well.” Looking back, Ryan takes pride in how far he’s come.
Ryan’s story shows that careers aren’t always planned, sometimes they grow from a single choice, a small leap of faith. From rain-soaked shifts to the glamour of Royal Ascot, his journey is proof that with resilience, support, and persistency, opportunity can turn into leadership.
And for anyone thinking about joining the events world? His advice is simple, “Try it once – you might just discover it changes everything.”
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