Meet the team
When the Covid pandemic hit the world in 2020, we had to adapt to the changing circumstances globally, and with that the existing business model. To that end, key adjustments to the core team were made, to include contracted managers per project. We have a strong network of skilled and experienced project managers to call on, depending on the scale of the project.
The current team includes:
Tanya Harford
CEO and Founder
Following her retirement from the Women's International Tennis Tour, Tanya began building Harford Sports Promotions. 30 years later, she has been involved in a host of iconic events, including large music concerts, international polo events, and two of the world’s largest mass participation sporting events.
Having won the French Open Doubles title in 1981, her love for good sport is in her blood. Tanya is an avid news junkie, with a love for snow skiing, great food, and travel. When she is taking time off from running HSP you would find Tanya walking on the beach, reading a great book, or travelling the world.
Jenni Green
Business Development Manager
Jenni's history and love for the cycling industry met with the events industry early on in her career, and the natural progression from participating in the events, to running them, was a perfect fit. With the Bia brand as a passion project, it was a perfect and natural progression to take the brand to market, both in SA as well as the UK. When not on a bicycle, or encouraging more women to ride bicycles, Jenni can be found out walking her dog, or enjoying a speciality coffee.
James Boston Gemmell
Safety Officer - Covid Protocol Officer
With experience in medium and high risk SAPS categorised events and the attendant requirements and safety protocols.
Head event coordinator for BJJ events South Africa
BJJ Events South Africa hosts major grappling events across the country and has the rights to host the AJP and ADCC international brands for the local market. Jamie is a BJJ black belt and judo green belt, and is co-owner of Gracie BARRA Illovo.
Helen Midlane
Accountant
Helen joined the HSP team in April 2016 as the group accountant. Having completed a diploma in public relations she found that her passion was not in writing press releases but rather in number crunching. She completed her BCompt degree in 2001 and began setting up her own business in 2003. Having had vast experience in small and mass event accounting, she jumped at the opportunity to join our team. When Helen is not busy producing figures, you will find her trying to be creative with either a paint brush, some sort of art or craft or chilling with her niece and cat. With your feet firmly on the ground, you can reach for the stars.
Tanya Harford
CEO and Founder
Following her retirement from the Women’s International Tennis Tour, Tanya began building Harford Sports Promotions. Nearly 30 years later, she has been involved in a host of iconic events, including large music concerts, international polo events, and two of the world’s largest mass participation sporting events. Having won the French Open Doubles title in 1981, her love for good sport is in her blood. Tanya is an avid news junkie, with a love for snow skiing, great food, and travel. When she is taking time off from running HSP you would find Tanya walking on the beach, reading a great book, or travelling the world.
Claudia Urzi
COO and Race Office Manager
Claudia is passionate about food, so it is only natural that some of her favourite things involve good food, wine, chocolate, and her friends, who she loves to invite over for the occasional cook-up. 2014 was the start of Claudia’s second round as part of the HSP team after leaving back in 2000. When she is not in the office, she is spending time at home with her partner and fur kids, or enjoying the occasional fun fitness activity.