I got into the event industry because my passion for retail led me down a different path. After working in marketing for international brands I saw first-hand the budget constraints marketing in shopping centres had, so I needed to think of a way this could be overcome. Essentially I found a way to increase the income shopping centres generated, so they had more available to use on their marketing and footfall-driving events.
I found this always-evolving industry very exciting and I wanted to provide a specialist service that was cutting edge and diverse.
I have worked here after discovering there was a gap in the market for a company that brought together brands and marketing. I thought this was something that could really be successful as the public instantly recognises brands and they carry positive reputations, so why not incorporate that within marketing campaigns?
Not many people know that more often than not, this is a 24-hour job. Sometimes you’ll find me up until 4am prepping a centre for its big launch and then meeting our celebrity guests early the following morning.
The best event I've been involved in was in a beautiful Maltese setting with government ministers. Just as we were sitting down for lunch, some canons went off. They were for us.
If I could do it all again I would be less stressed and trust that with hard work it always turns out good in the end.
The one thing I can’t stand is lack of sleep. I need the time to re-energise and sometimes the early starts, paired with a busy family life and then not going to bed until after midnight, can catch up with you.
Outside of work I spend my time walking on the beach close to my house with my family. Sometimes my working week can take me all over the UK so this time helps me reconnect with the people around me.
If money were no object I would hire out Necker Island and host the charity event of the decade. As a company we come together and do various challenges throughout the year to raise money for causes close to our hearts so it would be nice to do something for charity whilst sipping on a piña colada.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be Anna Wintour. I know that Vogue host numerous fashion house events and she attends all of the most glamourous catwalk shows. I’d love to have her guest list and her contacts in my phone.
If I ruled the event industry I would freeze time or teleport myself from one meeting to another. This industry is so fast-paced so having a teleporter to save myself time between meetings or a way to stop time while I dealt with all my work would be amazing.
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