The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is delighted to announce that Simon Baker, General Manager at Roehampton Club, has successfully earned the prestigious Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation, joining an elite network of club management professionals across the globe.
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.
Simon has spent the last 12 years at Roehampton Club, nine of them as General Manager, overseeing enhancements to both facilities and operations. His career journey began in health and fitness, followed by commercial management experience at Crown Golf, before transitioning fully into golf club management. Simon is recognized for his focus on delivering exceptional member experiences, mentoring teams, and driving operational excellence.
CMAE CEO Torbjörn Johansson commented on Simon’s achievement:
“Simon Baker’s dedication to his professional development and to the members and team at Roehampton Club exemplifies the values and standards we uphold at CMAE. Achieving CCM is a significant milestone, representing both expertise and leadership in club management. Simon’s commitment to excellence sets a great example for aspiring club managers across Europe and Middle East.”
Simon now joins a growing global network of Certified Club Managers who are setting the benchmark for excellence in club management.
Q&A With Simon Baker CCM
General Manager at Roehampton Club
Congratulations Simon – You are now a CCM. What is your feeling after three tough days on the review course before sitting the exam and passing it?
The course was great, it was a intense few days of revision and learning but I was very pleased to sit the exam this way and I felt very prepared. The review course was a fantastic way to bring it altogether and prepare for the exam and really helped focus all my efforts of passing, I don’t think I have ever studied so hard for an exam and was pleased to go back to my family and colleagues at Roehampton Club to tell them that I had passed!
You have spent the last 12 years at Roehampton Club (last 9 years as GM) – what is special about Roehampton and how would you describe it for someone who has never been there?
Roehampton Club is a fantastic multi sports club, and it’s a special club, its has it challenges but ultimately is a very rewarding place to work. We have well trained, dedicated and highly motivated staff who work very hard to provide and excellent experience for members and their guests on a daily basis. We are very fortunate to reinvest our surplus each year to continuingly improve all facilities, and the recent investment in the Members Bar and Terrace has really elevated the social experiences for all demographics of members. Each day working at the Club brings a different challenge but I am extremely proud to work for the Club and everything that we have achieved in the 12 years I have been here.
You started your career within health & fitness, then transitioned over to golf – was that a deliberate target for you?
Yes, Health & Fitness and Golf and my big passions. My career began as a Trainee Manager working in the Health & Fitness industry as I had worked as a Personal Trainer and Lifeguard when I was at University. I had always planned that once I had a few years’ experience as a General Manager in Health Clubs that I would then try and move across into the golf industry as that was always my long term goal. My career in golf began working for Crown Golf which gave me a great grounding into how to run golf clubs commercially driving income but also managing costs tightly, whilst keeping members happy, this experience has really helped me throughout my career and taught me the key principles in running clubs.
If someone asks – who is Simon Baker – what would you answer?
I think the quick answer would be sports mad!! Apart from my passion and career in Health & Fitness and Golf, I am also a UEFA C Qualified Football Coach and an a FA Referee. I have coached my son and daughters football teams over the last 10 years. I also play cricket, most racket sports and love to go on skiing holidays. I love being around likeminded people who share my passion for sports. I find coaching and developing people of all ages and from all walks of life very rewarding which are the main reasons for working in the leisure industry.
You have been on the CCM Pathway for a few years now, what are some of your best memories from it?
I’ve really enjoyed the whole education program and have met some great people along the way. I remember driving up to MDP 1 in Warwick with another colleague not really knowing what to expect but came back from that course truly inspired to build a strong network and to keep learning and along the way. My first US conference was in Nashville which was an amazing experience and a real eye opener in to how the clubs in the US operate and the similar challenges they face. Spending two weeks in Marbella for the Food and Beverage MDP and then staying on afterwards for the European Conference was an experience and I will never forget the view from our class room overlooking the 1st and 18th holes on the Old Course St Andrews. The presenters on all the courses have been inspiring and I now hope that I can give something back to CMAE to help develop those going through the education program.
With regards to your career in health, fitness and golf – now being a CCM – what would you recommend young people thinking about career development?
I would encourage everyone working in the industry to begin or continue their education and networking journey with CMAE. To meet and chat with new people going through the same process as you, dealing with the same issues at their clubs as you do is invaluable. Clubs can be a lonely place sometimes but there is always someone else going through the same issue as you are, so sharing that experience and learning from one another as well as going through the CCM has been a huge help top me in my career and I have met some lifelong friends along the way!
Any final comments:
I would just like to thank all of the presenters as well as Michael Braidwood, Toby Johansson and Jason Koenigsfeld for all their support, along with everyone I have met throughout my CMAE journey who are now part of my network and friendship groups. My final thanks go to Marc Newey and the team at Roehampton Club for supporting me along the way and allowing me time away from work to study and attend the courses and events.
