Welcoming Our New Chair: A Conversation with Stephen Guile Six Months In!

When Stephen Guile talks about HF Holidays, one word comes up again and again: belonging. Having holidayed with HF since the early 2000s, served as a Director since 2018 and more recently as Vice Chair, Stephen’s appointment as Chair feels like a natural progression rooted in service, experience and a deep love of walking.

Stephen’s connection to HF Holidays began much like many members – through a love of the outdoors and a desire to spend time with like-minded people. “I first came to HF Holidays simply because I enjoyed walking and the outdoors,” he says. “But the more I learned about the Society, the more I realised it was somewhere I could make a contribution.”

With a professional background in corporate governance, housing and the NHS, Stephen felt he had experience to bring to the Board.

Just as importantly, he was drawn to the values at the heart of HF Holidays. What has always stood out to him is the spirit of the place: people eating together, walking together, sharing experiences and feeling at home, almost from the moment they arrive.

That sense of welcome and community is something Stephen believes remains as relevant today as it was when T.A. Leonard founded the Society more than a century ago. “People may initially join HF Holidays for the member discount,” he reflects, “but they soon discover the benefits of holidaying with people who share similar interests and values.” In other words, guests may come for the walking, but they often return for the friendships, the atmosphere and the sense of belonging.

Volunteering has been a recurring theme throughout Stephen’s life. From helping neighbours as a teenager, to serving on boards and committees throughout his career, he sees volunteering as both a privilege and a responsibility. “My upbringing included helping others and getting involved,” he says. “It’s given me experience of working with people from different backgrounds, listening to different perspectives and finding common ground.”

Those qualities, he believes, are essential for a Chair. “It’s about listening, understanding different viewpoints and helping people move forward together. That’s true within a boardroom, but it’s also true within HF Holidays as a whole.”

Looking ahead, Stephen is optimistic about HF Holidays’ future. He points to the Society’s recovery since the challenges of the pandemic, investment in its country houses, the forthcoming opening of our new house at Buxton, growing membership and positive feedback on our holidays, as signs of positive momentum. “We came through several very difficult years and we’re now in a stronger financial position, we are focussing on a culture of service, in supporting our members, in improving our systems and processes and in continuing to develop new holiday opportunities for members. That’s exciting!”

He also believes HF Holidays has an important role to play in helping more people discover the physical, mental and social benefits of spending time outdoors. Reflecting on the Society’s founder, Stephen says T.A. Leonard would recognise the feeling of being at home among like-minded people. The world may have changed, but the value of connecting with nature and with one another remains just as important today. Stephen believes that T.A. Leonard would recognise the value of the continuing work of the Pathways Fund, where members raise funds through donations and fun competitions to provide assisted holidays, path improvements and support for mountain rescue.

Finally, Stephen is keen to express his gratitude to the people who make HF Holidays possible. “We couldn't run without our colleagues who work for, or volunteer for, the Society, including our walks leaders, field advisors and our tour managers. They are the direct inheritors of the people that T.A. Leonard got together to lead the early walks and develop our centres.” he says. “The act of volunteering is something we've perpetuated for well over 100 years, a tradition of taking part, and not standing apart from other people. Thank you, also, our volunteer Board of Directors, including our four new Directors voted in, by you, our members, this year: Donna Lane, Christine Allison, Elaine Oddie and Raj Joshi.”

Stephen’s message is simple: “Cherish what makes HF Holidays special. Never lose sight of the power of walking, friendship and shared experiences.”