I have worked here since late 2009
I was attracted to this particular role because of its variety: venue management, an events and conference team, plus operational responsibilities for IT, HR and finance.
Not many people know that I had ten years of drama training when I was younger, although I didn’t become an actor because of the uncertainty of earning a living.
My worst experience at an event was being obliged to accept an invite to corporate hospitality at a cricket match and being bored to death.
If there's one thing I've learnt it's what you give out you get back, Karma really works. "You should use your friends, but not abuse your friends" – never be afraid to ask for a favour and be relaxed if someone says "sorry, I can’t help you this time".
The best event I've been involved in was a multi millionaire’s 50th birthday party. We assembled in Grosvenor Victoria Hotel for afternoon tea; caught the Orient Express from Victoria to Hampton Court with canapes and Champagne, then a luxury coach from Hampton Court Station to Hampton Court Palace (could have walked faster but everyone was dressed in their finery). Afterwards we enjoyed a four-course dinner followed by an opera performance in the Great Hall then Beating Retreat by Coldstream Guards and fireworks in the grounds. And finally the Orient Express with coffee and liqueurs returned us back to Victoria.
If I could do it all over again I would worry less and learn to be generous at an earlier age.
The one thing I can't stand is people who, through lack of belief in themselves, don’t have the capacity to understand and be generous to others.
Outside of work I eat and drink far too much, don’t exercise enough –although I love theatre, any live events and, especially, the company of my friends.
If money were no object I would travel the world in style.
The one event I will never miss is ISES monthly networking with my industry colleagues and friends.
The recession has meant that we’ve had to work much harder to win business and retain clients but it has probably been a healthy exercise in refreshing our marketing.
The next 12 months will be positive for growth in the lead up to the Olympics
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry I don’t think I would – I love my current role.
If I ruled the event industry I would marshall the many associations to refine a convincing value proposition that enables them to gain substantial funding and sponsorship so that one collective voice can deliver the well intentioned aspirations which never quite come to anything; add quantifiable value to and actively lead our industry.