I got into the events industry because I was organising club nights in school and a friend's father asked me if I could help him with his Christmas party and it all went on from there.
I have worked here since 1987
I was attracted to this particular role because there is lots of variety so I never seem to get bored. One day I could be organising a conference, the next week I could be running a fun fair in someone's garden. If the job wasn't exciting I just wouldn't last
Not many people know that my real first name is actually David, but from the day I was born I was called by my middle name Bert. What an aggravation it has caused me over the years, filling out forms and getting things wrong. I blame my parents - at one family do my own sister didn't know my name - and, by the way, I won't answer to David.
My worst experience at an event was having to throw out a guest for a clients Christmas party. It was put on by a printing firm for their top clients and it was actually their number one client but after three warnings for his bad behaviour my client said maybe we should ask him to leave, fortunately he left quietly and we retained the client.
If there's one thing I've learnt it's if you do your best for all your clients you really can't do any more, and should anything go wrong that is totally beyond your control don't let it make you ill or stress you. There are far more important things in life
The best event I've been involved in was an anniversary party for a company. The company was a family business and the owner decided to open his home to 250 members of his staff and their families. In the end there were over 500 people feasting on a delicious barbeque and enjoying one of the many funfair rides. Why was it so good? Everyone was so happy and appreciative, the guests all thanked me as they left and the company treated me like one of the family. But the best thing about the day was it was all outside and the sun just didn't stop shining ALL DAY.
If I could do it all over again I would do it the same way. I'm very satisfied and happy with what we have done over the past 20 years.
The one thing I can't stand is rude clients. I don't mind demanding clients, you can call me day or night as many times as you want, but please just be polite.
Outside of work I love to go to the gym, mainly so I can keep up with my kids. I love holidays, watching sports (especially Liverpool FC) and eating at good restaurants. But generally I like to spend as much time as I can with my family.
If money were no object I would go and live in Barbados for six months and live in the Penthouse at The May Fair for the rest of the year.
The one event I will never miss is the Clearwinners Trip with The Concerto Group. I look forward to it every year.
The recession has meant that we had to look far closer at everything we do and try to be as wise as possible. It genereally means working harder to get the same result.
The next 12 months will be BUSY BUSY BUSY.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry... that's a really hard one the only question I really had to think about thats probably telling me im happy with what I have and I wouldn't swap it with the world
If I ruled the event industry I would make all money spent on staff for all types of events and entertainment totally tax deductable. It would be great for the economy because staff morale would be at an all time high and companies would be happy to spend more and rewarding all the hard work that their staff do.