A first opportunity through The King’s Trust led Marouan Benmbarek to one of the world’s most celebrated events and a meeting Mo will remember for the rest of his life.
Royal Ascot is a place where extraordinary moments are part of the occasion. Yet, for Carlisle’s events steward Marouan Benmbarek, known to his colleagues as Mo, this year brought a moment far beyond anything he could have expected when he first joined the team.
Against the unmistakable backdrop of one of Britain’s most prestigious sporting events, Mo was invited to meet His Majesty King Charles III.
His wonderfully honest first reaction said everything, “My mum would not believe me when I tell her this!”
It was a joyful response to an experience that will undoubtedly become one of the most memorable stories Mo ever takes home. But behind that wonderful moment lies another story, one about confidence and what can happen when a person is given the right opportunity at the right time.
The Opportunity That Opened the Door
For Mo, that route began with the commitment of our Recruitment team, their work alongside The King’s Trust helped bring him into Carlisle’s events family and opened the door to an extraordinary opportunity at Royal Ascot 2026.
Working at Royal Ascot requires high standards, composure and a strong understanding of the responsibility that comes with representing both Carlisle and such an internationally renowned event. Mo rose to that responsibility, carrying out his role with the confidence and pride his colleagues had already begun to recognise in him.
Then came the invitation that transformed an important working week into an unforgettable personal milestone. Mo was selected to meet His Majesty The King and share something of his own journey. A moment few people get to experience and one that showed just how far the right opportunity can lead. Mo made that opportunity his own, but it was also an incredibly proud moment for Carlisle’s Recruitment team, whose efforts helped him reach this remarkable stage.
A Meeting to Remember
Mo represented Carlisle, wearing our uniform and representing our standards at one of the highest-profile events in the country. In that moment, the uniform carried a story and the opportunity he had accepted because of the skills he had developed since joining Carlisle.
Seeing him meet His Majesty was an enormously proud occasion for all of us. It offered a visible reminder that employment partnerships can create far more than placements. At their best, they could introduce a genuine sense of belonging and open doors to experiences people may never have imagined possible.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Paul Evans described this occasion as something “so many dream of” and a special moment not only for Mo, but for the entire Carlisle team.
More Than a Royal Photograph
The image of Mo meeting The King captures a remarkable occasion, but its real meaning is found in everything that brought him to that point; a great reflection about creating routes into work that allow every team member to see a future for themselves.
For, Mo, it culminated in a face-to-face conversation with His Majesty that he will be able to tell his family about for years to come.
A first shift could become a new skill, a new skill could build confidence and that confidence could carry a person into places they never expected to stand.
A Proud Moment for Mo and Carlisle
Royal Ascot will be remembered by thousands for its racing, pageantry and famous Royal Procession. Across Carlisle, however, this year’s occasion will also be remembered for one young steward and the wonderfully genuine words that followed the experience of a lifetime.
Royal Ascot will be remembered by thousands for its racing, pageantry and famous Royal Procession. Across Carlisle, however, this year’s occasion will also be remembered for one young steward and the wonderfully genuine words that followed the experience of a lifetime.
“My mum would not believe me when I tell her this!”
We hope she does, Mo!
This was your moment, and everyone at Carlisle could not be prouder.
Carlisle Support Services has proudly kicked off Good Employment Week 2026 by receiving its Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter Full Member certificate in person from
Carlisle Support Services announces the appointment of Chris Wright as Head of Operations (South) for the Arts & Culture client portfolio, strengthening the company’s leadership team
Carlisle Support Services (Carlisle) achieved member status in the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, in recognition of its sustained commitment to fair, inclusive, and progressive employment
Providing flexible, on-demand support to help organisations build resilience, mitigate risks, and adapt to the ever-changing political, socio-economic, and environmental landscape to deliver seamless event experiences.
Managing trees and vegetation for the UK’s public infrastructure and commercial spaces.
Delivering aesthetically pleasing environments whilst eliminating potential hazards and operational disruptions caused by vegetation.
Provide fully vetted, accredited officers equipped with the latest technologies to secure and protect your people, premises, assets and the wider public.
Providing bespoke services that identify site specific vulnerabilities and address complex challenges to mitigate risks.
Maintaining high facility standards and minimising service disruptions across the UK rail network.
Delivering exceptionally clean environments at optimal cost and positive environmental footprint with unrivalled quality control across nationwide operations.
Delivering seamless passenger experiences whilst protecting revenue and achieving operational excellence.
Providing flexible, on-demand support to help organisations build resilience, mitigate risks, and adapt to the ever-changing political, socio-economic, and environmental landscape.
Deploying balanced crowd management strategies for optimal safety and seamless visitor experiences.
Delivering seamless visitor experiences across the UK’s biggest venues, stadiums and exhibition centres.
Transforming customer journeys with innovative car parking solutions that maximise operational control and revenue.
Enhancing and maintaining site aesthetics for optimal nature, commercial infrastructure, and community harmony. We aim to deliver beautiful scenery whilst eliminating potential hazards and operational disruptions caused by vegetation.
We streamline cleaning and facilities services that help organisations maintain exceptional standards across single and multi-site operations.
We offer a total turnkey solution from initial design and product selection through to installation and commissioning. Our customers benefit from benefit from around-the-clock protection for optimal peace of mind that comes from working with a trusted alarm monitoring service.
Our range of fire life safety solutions are designed to prevent, detect and contain fire and where necessary enable a safe and timely escape.
From the initial Fire Risk Assessment through to the design and installation of fire detection and fire suppression systems and ongoing maintenance and monitoring contracts, we provide you with a one stop fire protection solution.
From security-cleared operations with MOD-affiliated organisations to supporting the UK’s rail infrastructure and securing the Highest Court of the British Isles alongside countless major venues across the UK, we provide fully vetted, accredited officers equipped with the latest technologies to secure and protect your people, premises, assets and the wider public.
Fulfilling the most complex single and multi-site cleaning requirements at an award-winning standard for over 30 years.
Providing an extensive range of Soft and Hard FM services to help you streamline management and eliminate operational disruptions.
Undertaking routine cleaning to maintain the highest standards in cleanliness and hygiene for exceptional environments.
