The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is proud to announce that Heather Moran, General Manager of La Moye Golf Club, has achieved the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation.
The CCM is the highest level of professional recognition in club management, awarded to individuals who demonstrate excellence across leadership, governance, finance, operations, and member experience. Heather’s achievement reflects her commitment to continuous professional development and her progression as a leader within the club industry.
Having joined La Moye Golf Club in 2019 as Clubhouse Manager, Heather has progressed through the organisation to become General Manager in 2023. Her journey highlights both her dedication and the strength of her leadership, guiding the club through a period of continued development while maintaining its strong traditions and member-focused culture.
Torbjörn Johansson, CEO of CMAE, commented:
“Heather’s achievement of the CCM is a fantastic milestone and a reflection of her dedication, professionalism and leadership. Her journey within La Moye Golf Club, progressing to General Manager, is a great example of the opportunities within our industry. We are also particularly proud to see more women achieving the CCM and helping to shape the future of club management. Congratulations to Heather on this outstanding accomplishment.”
Heather’s career began in the UK, including time at Hale Golf Club, before making the move to Jersey to take on a new challenge at La Moye. Since then, she has played a key role in delivering high standards of member experience while contributing to the club’s ongoing evolution.
Her achievement also marks an important moment for diversity within the profession, as one of a small but growing number of women in Europe to attain the CCM designation, helping to inspire the next generation of leaders within the industry.
Heather now joins a global network of Certified Club Managers who are setting the benchmark for excellence in club management.
Q&A with Heather Moran, CCM
General Manager, La Moye Golf Club
Congratulations on becoming CCM Heather. What is your feeling after three tough days on the review course before sitting the exam and passing it?
Thank you, I really appreciate that. It’s a real mix of relief, pride and, if I’m honest, a fair bit of exhaustion.
The review course is intense. It’s three full-on days of being challenged, tested and pushed to think differently, and by the end of it, you’re not entirely sure which way is up. It really does make you question your knowledge and your approach, which is exactly the point.
The exam itself was tough, actually tougher than I honestly expected. The whole process leading up to the exam really stretches you. You’re constantly reflecting, learning and being pushed outside your comfort zone. It’s demanding, but in a rewarding way.
Looking back now, I’m very grateful for the experience and for the people I went through it with. The other delegates, the speakers, Toby and Jason all made the review course a thoroughly rewarding experience. The whole process is a proper test, but one that leaves you better for it.
Tell us about La Moye Golf Club, where you started in 2019 as Clubhouse Manager before your GM appointment in June 2023:
La Moye is a very special place, not just because of the golf course, which is exceptional, but because of the people and the culture of the Club. It’s a traditional private Members’ club with a really strong sense of identity, but at the same time, it’s not standing still and is continuing to evolve with the expectations of a modern membership.
When I joined in 2019 as Clubhouse Manager, I was very focused on the day-to-day operations, making sure the Member experience was right and that the operation ran smoothly. That time was invaluable because it gave me a real understanding of how the Club works and, more importantly, what really matters to our Members.
Securing the General Manager role in 2023 is something I am hugely proud of. If I’m honest, it did take a bit of time to adjust. The dynamic changes so much as you go from being part of the team to leading it, and ultimately being accountable for decisions. That’s a different kind of pressure. I had to find my own way of doing things, back myself, and accept that I won’t always get everything right first time.
What’s made that transition easier is the strength of the team around me and the openness of the membership. Over time, you grow into the role, and I now see it very much as both a privilege and a responsibility to protect what makes La Moye special, while making sure we continue to move forward in the right way.
And what attracted you to Jersey, La Moye in the first place after a few years as Clubhouse Manager in Manchester?
I had a fantastic few years at Hale Golf Club in Cheshire. It’s an amazing club with a really strong membership and a great culture, and my time at the Club gave me a solid grounding in the industry and a lot of confidence in my own ability. I learned a huge amount there, and it was definitely a place that shaped me professionally.
When the opportunity at La Moye came up, it felt very different, but in a really exciting way. What stood out immediately was how progressive the Club was. The clubhouse had just undergone a major refurbishment, resulting in a stunning 26,000 square foot clubhouse and there was a clear ambition about what the Club wanted to be. It wasn’t just maintaining standards, it was actively looking to move forward.
Equally important for me was the senior team in place. From the outset, I felt it was a group I could really fit into. They were collaborative, forward-thinking and open to new ideas. That made a big difference.
And then there’s Jersey itself. It’s a unique place to live and work. It is a beautiful island, and it helped that the sun was shining on the day I came for my interview! Everything put together made it a compelling and exciting opportunity. It felt like the right step at the right time.
You have been on the CCM Pathway for a few years now, what are some of your best memories from it?
Honestly, the people I’ve met along the way have been a massive highlight of the process: the other delegates, the various speakers and industry leaders, and the community as a whole.
I started my MDP journey in 2019 in Manchester with MDP 2, which included the Lumina session and case study. Our group became really close-knit, and as my first experience of the “tribe”, it made the whole process really appealing. Lumina is a window into who you are as an employee and indeed as a person and I loved that element of MDP 2. The case study was my first real exposure to speaking publicly as a manager in the golf industry and is an experience I very fondly reflect on every time I have to stand up and address our Members.
Unfortunately, with Covid restrictions, I ended up completing a large part of the pathway online. While it was still really enjoyable and I was very fortunate it was even possible, I did miss that people element that is such a big part of the MDP programmes.
My final session was MDP Golf in St Andrews last November, and it was great to be back in the classroom and reconnect with my peers in person. It truly reminded me what the programme is all about.
You are only the sixth woman to get the CCM in Europe, how can we attract more women to Manager jobs in the industry and get them certified?
It’s something I’m exceptionally proud of, but at the same time, it does make us realise how male-dominated the industry still is.
What’s been really encouraging, though, is seeing more women stepping forward and showing that they absolutely belong in these roles. We are not just part of it; we are genuinely competing and holding our own at a very high level. That shift is happening, and it’s great to see.
From my own experience, organisations like CMAE and also the GCMA have been hugely supportive. The network, the learning environment and the people you meet along the way make a big difference. You’re encouraged, challenged and backed, and that support is really important, particularly when you’re pushing yourself outside your comfort zone.
I think attracting more women into management roles comes down to visibility and confidence. The more you see women in these positions, the more it feels like a natural path rather than something unusual. And having the right support around you, whether that’s through CMAE, colleagues or mentors, helps give you the confidence to take that next step.
Ultimately, the talent is there. It’s about continuing to support it, encourage it and make sure more women feel comfortable putting themselves forward and progressing through pathways like CCM.
