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John Gilburn - Managing Director
A trained Accountant, John joined the company in October 2007 with more than 30 years experience of senior operational management in the leisure industry under his belt.
Prior to joining Owlerton, John spent 13 years with the Greyhound Racing Association Ltd (GRA Ltd), where he spent 11 years as General Manager of Belle Vue Greyhound Stadium in Manchester and 2 years as Group Marketing Manager for the 6 GRA tracks. Before working in the Greyhound Industry, John was Regional Manager at Gala Bingo for 6 years and in control of 23 Bingo Clubs across the North of England. Prior to that, he was Operations Manager of Riley Snooker Clubs and in charge of 73 Snooker Clubs throughout the country, and during that time his successes included developing snooker clubs in Belgium and Holland.
John's role at Owlerton is both demanding and varied, as he is responsible for the smooth running of the entire stadium. He also has responsibility for reciprocal and joint marketing with Napoleons Casinos.
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Dave Perry - General Manager
Dave has been with the company since leaving school at 16, where he also worked part time for Napoleons. Since working at Owlerton, Dave's career at Owlerton has progressed siginificantly as he worked his way up through the ranks into a senior managerial role. Since working at the Stadium, Dave has held a number of key positions including, Racing Office Assistant, Safety Steward, Assistant Racing Manager, Racing Manager, Assistant General Manager before being recently promoted to General Manager.
Dave's current role finds him responsible for the General day to day running of the stadium and helping out in the Racing Office.
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Lee Duffy - Racing Manager
Lee has worked at the stadium for over 20 years, having started as an Assistant Racing Manager under the tuition of Jimmy Nunn.
As Racing Manager, Lee is in charge of all aspects of the racing, including the grading of cards and open races. He is also responsible for managing the Racing Staff, including the Paddock Stewards, Paraders and GroundStaff, as well as overseeing the track maintenance with the Head Groundsman.
As part of his role, Lee maintains daily contact with the trainers and liaises regularly with the Governing Body (NGRC), regarding racing's rules and regulations.
Lee hopes to bring an exciting and challenging racecard to every meeting he grades.
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Nick Middleton - Catering Manager
Nick has been with the company since leaving school at 16. Since then, he has risen up through the ranks to the position of Head Chef/Catering Manager at Owlerton. His love for food and his passion for the job are evident in the menus he prepares for Owlerton's customers.
His role includes overseeing the smooth running of the restaurant, which regularly caters for up to 150 covers 4 times a week, making it one of the busiest and most popular catering outlets in Sheffield. Nick also manages the catering for Owlerton's Executive Boxes and Fast Food outlets.
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Craig Allsop - Restaurant Manager
Craig is the newest addition to the Management Team, having joined the company in August 2008. Whilst studying for his 5 A levels(Accounts, English Language, English Literature and Law Psychology) at College, Craig began working part-time at Napoleons Casino Ecclesall where he gained valuable catering experience and was promoted to Bar Supervisor and later to Bar Manager, which included overseeing the running of the restaurant.
Since taking up his position at Owlerton, he has been busy trying to build on the efficiency and standards of the restaurant that have already been implemented over the years.
When Craig is not busy working, he enjoys a busy social life and enjoys spending time with his friends and walking his two dogs.
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Richard Allsop - Bar Manager
Richard originally joined Josephine's Nightclub part of the A& S leisure group in January 1990, where he worked until October 2001 until the club was sold. Richard rejoined the company in late 2001, where he held a number of positions including Glass Collector, Bar Staff, Bar Superviser, Assistant Manager, before being promoted into his current role as Bar Manager. Richard is responsible for managing all bar staff at the stadium.
When he isn't working he is a keen Golfer and also a qualified Scuba Diver.
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Emma Holland - Executive Box Manager
Emma joined the company in December 2002, where she started as a waitress before progressing through the ranks to her current role as Executive Box Manager. Her roles and responsibilities include ensuring that the boxes run as smoothly and as seamlessley as possible during the hours of service, as well as answering any queries and attending to any needs the guests might have on the night.
Before joining the company, Emma worked as a Credit Controller and is currently in the process of completing a B A Honours Degree at Sheffield Hallam University in Accounting and Financial Management.
When Emma is not busy working or studying she enjoys socialising and reading books.
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Lisa Hibberd - Tote Manager
Having completed a comprehensive management training programme at Whitbread's, Lisa went on to train Trainee Managers for 7 years, before leaving the company to start a family.
Lisa joined the Owlerton team in 1992, working part time on the Tote, before progressing to Tote Supervisor. In 2003 Lisa became the Tote Manager, and the first female manager in history of the Stadium, a title of which she is extremely proud.
According to Lisa, coordinating the Tote can be a very intense job, however with the help of a fantastic team she finds it very enjoyable. Despite a busy work schedule, Lisa still finds time to enjoy a spot of retail therapy and to spend time with her family.
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Steve Tanner - Chief Engineer
Prior to joining the company, Steve spent time as an electrician in the Building and Motor Trade Industry.
Steve is one the Management Team's longest serving members, having joined the stadium in 1978, under the ownership of Jon Carter. Steve originally started out at Owlerton as a Tote Engineer and Electrician, before being promoted to the position of Chief Engineer where he has the responsibility for all the electrical, mechanical and building maintenance at the stadium.
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Jon Carter - RGT Chairman/Marketing Executive
Jon joined the Board of the Stadium in 1961 and was responsible for re-introducing Speedway racing to the Stadium.
In 1972 he joined the management team full time and one of his most notable achievements was building the existing Grandstand.
Jon is now Chairman of the Retired Greyhound Trust and home finding operations based at Gosling Farm in Wortley, and assists with the Marketing and Hosting at the Stadium.
Jon is a great ambassodor for the stadium, and an extremely popular and familiar face with the visitors to the stadium.
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Sam Tweed - Deputy Racing Manager
Sam's was first introduction the company when he carried out work experience from school in the Racing Office. It wasn't long before he was hooked on the sport , and straight after leaving school he joined the company as a Racing Office Assistant in August 2006.
Since then, Sam has progressed through the ranks into his current role as Deputy Racing Manager. His role includes grading the occasional race meeting, checking the racecards, grading Trials and registering Greyhounds.
Sam says he enjoys his job in the racing office and working under the guidance of the Racing Manager, Lee Duffy, where he hopes to learn a lot more about the Racing Office and the Greyhound Industry as a whole.
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