About
The Winter Ball 2024 is our 34th and we have raised an
incredible £25 million along the way for Children’s charities.
The Winter Ball committee is comprised of 16 dedicated individuals who have united in their shared passion for supporting and promoting this much-loved charity event. Each member brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the table, working collaboratively towards a common goal of raising funds and awareness.
Our Committee
Leslie Rose OBE
Leslie is chairman of Grange Park Marketing, which specialises in promotional merchandise. His main passion, after his family and football team, is helping to raise funds for children’s charities. He received his greatest accolade in 2015 when the Queen presented him with an OBE for services to families and their children.
He has been involved with the Winter Ball Committee since its inception in 1991 and has helped raise more than £25 million, he is thrilled that the funds raised this year will help support Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.
Kevin Williams
With a background in advertising, Kevin developed an early passion for the live events industry and has now been devising, driving, and managing major events and communication campaigns - in the UK and worldwide - for over three decades; he currently runs his own production company. He has been involved with the Winter Ball since 2002 and is proud to be an active member of the committee again this year.
Neil Bookatz
Over the last few decades Neil has built up a substantial residential portfolio in London. A prolific collector of unique memorabilia as well as having a permanent exhibition of Fine Art Photography in his Art Flat in the Strand. Married with four children and a great wife! He loves his golf and helping to raise money for children’s charities.
Joe Ricotta
Joe started one of the UK’s top chilled distribution specialists, PCL Transport 24/7 Ltd. He has extended his interest in property development in the UK, Spain, and his parents’ hometown in Sicily. Joe now enjoys investing in new ventures, working closely with inventors who have innovative and unique ideas.
They say behind every successful man, there is a strong woman, well, Joe has four, his wife Josie and three daughters, who all contribute within the family businesses. Joe has been involved with many charities over the years, which are close to his heart and is honoured to be part of the Winter Ball Committee.
Stephen Murtagh
Having initially trained as a potter, he has gone on to work for a US defence contractor in Saudi Arabia, as part of the original management team that set up the Design Museum, as Operations Manager at London Zoo and as general and Area Theatre Manager at Live Nation and Chief Operating Officer at International Students House London. Stephen is proud to have been a member of the committee since 2004.
Henry Brosi
Henry is Executive Chef at The Lansdowne Club in Mayfair and before this he was Executive Chef at The Dorchester Hotel for 20 years. During those twenty years he not only oversaw the preparation of some amazing food for the Winter Ball, but he was also a great supporter of the charity and in 2019 he was pleased to join the committee.
Neil Henderson
Neil has worked as a National Sales Director both in manufacturing and distribution businesses, supplying the country’s leading house builders for over 30 years.
Neil and his wife Heidi are both keen golfers and live on the south coast in Bournemouth. Neil is also a committee member of The Peter Alliss Wheelchair charity, which raises money in the Dorset area for disabled children. He is also a member and key supporter of The Variety Club Golf Society, which provides coaches to disabled schools. Neil’s other passion is live music and attending as many concerts as he can.
Tony Wollenberg
Tony is an independent freelance solicitor specializing in securities, derivatives, gaming, and big-ticket commercial litigation. He is a founder shareholder and director of eToro Group Limited, a major investment platform which is in the process of listing on Nasdaq. He remains a director of its UK Subsidiary which is regulated by the FCA.
Tony remains regulated by the UK Gambling Commission as a personal management licence holder and is a founder member of the International Association of Gaming Attorneys. He was compelled to join the committee after a visit to Noah’s Ark which had an immediate effect on his desire to do something to help.
Jonny Matthews
Jonny spent most of his career in finance, as a partner in one of Europe’s largest hedge funds for 12 years and for 11 years prior to that, as an MD at Citigroup. He currently writes a daily economics and financial newsletter for the City, and actively invests in the markets. His main interests outside of finance are playing poker and motorcycling, and he owns a significant share in the Bike Shed motorcycle club, with venues in London and Los Angeles.
Jonny has always been aware of the role played by luck in much of what he accomplished and has tried to help those whose opportunities in life are severely impaired. He is delighted to have this chance with The Winter Ball committee and is keen to make a positive contribution for many years to come.
John Pittalis
John joined his father’s accountancy practice, where he still works today. Alongside this, John has dedicated his life to support the continuation of the family businesses, founded by his late father, which consist of property investment, gas, and shipping enterprises across both the UK and Cyprus. With his children and extended family involved in the family business, John prioritises the notion of family first which led him to be extremely moved by the work of Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, with most of the family having grown up in the Barnet area.
A significant arm to the family business is continuous charitable giving, and the business formed their own charity named the KJP Foundation. This supports young people, allowing them opportunities to receive education in a number of fields.
James Evans
James is a highly motivated leader with an entrepreneurial style who has successfully built and sold multiple business’s including a group of national, multi award-winning MSP’s & telecom brokerages. James is the current founder and CEO of www.digital-origin.co.uk offering mid-market IT & MSP solutions. James has supported various children’s Charites since 2011 and was thrilled to be invited to join the "Winter Ball" committee in 2022.
He loves and is passionate about food, family, sport, and any opportunity to travel and experience adventure. He is married to his beautiful Isabel and has a (cheeky) son, Charlie.
Ben Bengougam
Rachid ‘Ben’ Bengougam is Senior Vice President, Human Resources, EMEA, Hilton. Based in the UK, he is responsible for leading the Human Resources function across the region, which includes over 70,000 team members in 69 countries & territories.
With more than 30 years’ experience in human resources leadership, Ben has worked in a range of high-profile positions, including Group HR Director at the Dixons Group and HR Director at leading Middle Eastern franchise operator MH Alshaya.
Paul Gregg
Paul has supported The Winter Ball committee over many years during its thirty-three years at The Dorchester Hotel and is delighted to be working with this year’s team on the committee.
Paul has spent many years in the entertainment and sports business, developing Apollo Leisure Group into one of the largest privately owned entertainment companies with four major theatres in the West End including The Lyceum with The Lion King and the Apollo Victoria with Wicked the musical. The company owned the Apollo Hammersmith and was partners in The Dominion Theatre in London, together with owning many key theatres in the provinces and The Point Arena in Dublin.
Ricci Obertelli
Ricci has had an illustrious career within
the hotel industry, including as General
Manager of The Dorchester and Director of
Operations of The Dorchester Collection.
Ricci is the recipient of numerous awards
most notably winning Best Independent
Hotelier of The World and achieving the
Freedom of The City of London. He has
also been presented with the title of Stella
al Merito del Lavoro MdL, by the President
of Italy equivalent to the OBE in the UK.
Howard Harris
Throughout my entire career in the Property Industry, I have always been driven by a passion. I started as an Estate Agent, where I learned the ins and outs of the industry and honed my skills in negotiation and client relations. As one of the founders of Gable House Properties, I played a crucial role in building up our property development business from scratch to becoming a fully listed PLC. Gable House Properties was acquired by Ladbroke Group PLC, where I continued to serve as a director before deciding to pursue other ventures. Even now, in my private capacity within the property business, I continue to thrive on finding new ways to innovate and make a positive impact.
Outside of work, family has always been at the center of my life. With two daughters and five grandchildren who bring endless joy into my world. When it comes to leisure activities, traveling and playing golf are among my favorite pastimes that provide me with relaxation and rejuvenation. The opportunity to join the Winter Ball Committee fills me with excitement for being able to contribute not only professionally but also personally towards creating memorable experiences for others while supporting this meaningful cause.
Committee Support Group
Stella Odysseos
Laura Prentice
Jan Rose
Jo Saffer
Join our Team
We welcome passionate, connected and committed people with something to contribute.