I got into the event industry because quite simply I thought it would lead to fame, fortune and frolics with pop stars. There was also my love of being 100% in control, and what better industry to utilise that quality?
I have worked here since March 2010.
I was attracted to this particular role because of the people. The ambition of the company and those who worked for Roselle made me excited for the future.
Not many people know that I almost opened my own shoe shop before embarking on a career in events. The business plan was done and funding had been signed off by an enterprise company. So glad now that it didn’t materialise, however I would never rule it out.
My worst experience at an event was at a very high-class dinner dance we did. A lady, who had a little bit too much to drink, managed to get her legs stuck under the door of the toilet cubicle. We spent two hours trying to get her free after which she got straight back to the party with a glass of champagne.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s expect the unexpected. When we are on-site at an event people see us as another member of the emergency services. During a week-long conference in Barcelona we had requests for Chanel nail varnish as someone had smudged her nails, a punch bag for late night training sessions, HRT and 14 packets of dried spaghetti.
The best event I’ve been involved in was I honestly believe that every event has a magical element to it. However it is when the whole team are involved and pull something spectacular out of the bag that I get quite emotional and an overwhelming feeling of pride.
If I could do it all over again I would throw myself into every single opportunity without listening to my own self-doubt. There were situations early on in my career where I felt I wasn’t qualified or experienced enough to get involved.
The one thing I can’t stand is bitchiness. I understand there is competition in our industry but there is definitely enough business for all of us. If we lose out on a pitch/tender then we learn from it and try to improve for next time. I have no time for those who bad mouth their competition rather than examine why they were unsuccessful.
Outside of work I spend my time planning my wedding, eating great food and drinking fabulous wine. I like fresh air and getting out in the amazing Scottish countryside – there really is nowhere else like it.
If money were no object I would be driving a white Bentley GT Continental and living in a very large country house in Perthshire.
The one thing I can’t do my job without is my team. It sounds contrived but the team we currently have are all at the top of their game and are hungry to improve and move forward. The support they show each other and me is unbelievable and I wouldn’t change them for the world.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be Geoff Ellis, organiser of T in the Park. I’ve always had a hankering to be involved in big music festivals and T in the Park is my favourite.
If I ruled the event industry I would spend some serious money on educating people that just because a company is based in Scotland (or anywhere outside of London) they aren’t inaccessible. Our biggest challenge is turning that perception around. If you called us in for a meeting we could probably be there in the same time it takes someone to travel across central London.
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