Charting the Course: Reflections on the 2026 GCH Lake District Offsite
There is real value in taking the team out of the office and away from the constant rhythm of the inbox. Our 2026 Lake District offsite was designed to do exactly that: create the space for strategy, candour, and better decisions about the next chapter of GCH.
We began on the shores of Lake Windermere with a treasure hunt built around navigation, teamwork, and a series of photo-led challenges. It was competitive, good-humoured, and more revealing than you might expect. Some teams set their course early and stuck to it. Others adjusted quickly as conditions changed. A few drifted. It was a useful reminder that strategy is not just about having a plan; it is about knowing when to hold your line and when to change course.
The following two days were devoted entirely to the work itself. We reviewed each subsidiary's strategic priorities, innovation pipeline, operational goals, and long-term direction. Stepping out of the day-to-day made for sharper conversations, more honest challenge, and a clearer sense of where the Group should focus next.
By the time we left, each business had a stronger view of its priorities and a more grounded understanding of what needs to happen next. That is the real value of time away together: not simply reflection, but alignment, clarity, and better decisions.
Cassie HutchingsChief Executive Officer, GCH Corporation
