Meet the team

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.

• Facebook
• Twitter
• LinkedIn

Debbie Mabule

Traffic Manager and Event Activations

Debbie is passionate about succeeding in whatever she does. 2016 marks her 12^th year at HSP, where she initially started out as a call centre agent after studying Event Support at Tshwane North College. She is the bubbly character of the team who enjoys the outdoors and being around people, especially her family. She absolutely loves a good laugh, except when it is before 12 am as she is definitely not a morning person.

James Boston Gemmell

Event Coordinator

The only male on the team, James is the resident Lord of the Rings ambassador, a wizz in the kitchen, and is deathly afraid of spiders, clowns and elephants. When James isn’t in the office or studying Law, he is fulfilling his passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, travelling around the world to discover new places, or enjoying a slice of his favourite Bellinis carrot cake. James is an accredited in-house Safety Officer and in turn is equipped to carry out Comprehensive Risk Analysis and Disaster Planning.

Helen Midlane

Accountant

Helen obtained a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences through UNISA and qualified as a Professional Accountant (SA) in 2001. She then completed 5 years articles at an audit firm at the end of 2000. She is a registered Tax Practitioner as well as being an agent of CIPC, with her own accounting business, and has been tasked with managing HSP’s accounts since April 2016. Although Helen admits to not being very creative, she enjoys doing arts and craft things over the weekends with her sister Debbie, and niece Caitlyn. Naturally, her passion lies with income statements and balance sheets!

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.

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. Aside from cycling, out of the office, you will find Jenni on the beach with her dogs, or sipping on a great cappuccino. She believes that without passion in your life, you are just coasting, so everything she does, she does with passion.

Lauren Frauenstein

Head | Procurement and Processes

Lauren wanted to be a teacher when she was younger, which was the beginning of her passion for interacting with new people and helping them find solutions for their specific needs. She is driven to achieve success, both in her work and personal life. Lauren spends her free time exploring new places in the bush with her loved ones and running around after her beautiful daughter, Bailey. She also enjoys getting pampered occasionally, almost as much as she enjoys good food!

Diane Watson

Bookkeeper

Diane joined the team as a part-time Bookkeeper in April 2018. She has qualifications in Business Management and Bookkeeping. Being a Mom of two children – soccer, cricket, swimming, ballet, and playdates form part of her weekly schedule.

Dominique De Klerk

Head | Event Logistics and Creatives

Dominique is currently studying Information Technology, through UNISA. She initially studied Drama at Wits University, but couldn’t escape the workforce and kept herself busy as a freelance Stage Manager before joining the HSP team 9 years ago. On the weekends Dominique absolutely loves walking her little four-legged humans at the park before enjoying sundowners in the afternoon. She enjoys being outdoors and often goes hiking and camping in her free time. Dominique is an accredited in-house Safety Officer and in turn is equipped to carry out Comprehensive Risk Analysis and Disaster Planning.

Chevaughn Jacoby

Head | Hospitality and Multimedia

Chevaughn’s HSP journey started 7 years ago after studying Conference, Exhibition, and Event Management. She is a gypsy at heart, with a unique zest for life and new experiences. Her passions for travelling, different cultures, and meeting new people are well suited amongst her love for Greek food, laughing and of course, her English bulldogs. When she’s not hard at work creating beautiful spaces, she’s socialising, sipping on a glass of wine or exploring a new city, of course!

Susan Mapatha

Office Assistant

Susan has been with the HSP team since December 2014, and is midway through a typing course which the rest of the team is guiding her through. She loves spending time with her family, especially her little boy who she takes to the park most weekends. Susan also loves shopping and being in the kitchen when she has time to herself.