I got into the event industry because during university I was lucky enough to gain work experience with the events team at London’s Business Design Centre. I was hooked from day one and knew it was definitely the right career path for me.
The challenge of managing multiple tasks at one time whilst maintaining high standards for my peers and clients was like an adrenaline rush. Years on, I still get the same feeling and relish seeing a successful project come to fruition with an energetic team and happy clients.
I have worked here since… I’ve been full-time here since early 2010. Prior to this, I was a freelance production manager and B&D were one of my clients. I’ve had the pleasure of being part of B&D in one way or another for a quite a long time now.
I was attracted to this particular role because I started initially as an account director and moved into my current role as operations director a few years ago. For me it was a natural progression and an opportunity I was very grateful for. I love the level of detailed planning and strategy involved. It also allows for me to still be actively involved in some of the larger events. Being on site at an event is still one of the best parts of my job, witnessing the escalation of the build and the excitement of a vision coming together.
Not many people know that I’m a qualified sports masseuse.
The best event I’ve been involved with was… events which are technically or logistically challenging are the most memorable. One that will be top of my list for a while was the Three Re-Invent conference we created in October last year. An annual conference for 1,500 people, the brief was to 'Re-Invent'. We flew show-jumping rabbits in from Sweden, rigged a full festival stage and PowerPoint was banned. There were so many moving parts to this event with, as always, changes up to the last minute. It was executed beautifully and the team worked like a dream.
If I could do it all over again I would… career wise, not change a thing. I’ve been very fortunate to work with great companies and inspiring people. I believe strongly in the culture and vision at B&D. On a personal note, I would have got myself on the property ladder a little earlier.
The one thing I can’t stand is queuing, people who walk slowly, sub-standard venue catering and dodgy wifi - that's four things.
Outside of my work I spend my time travelling, yoga, eating out and spending as much time with friends and family as possible.
If money were not object I would travel the world over, settle somewhere hot and have a little beach bar.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be no-one.
If I ruled the event industry I would streamline client pitch processes, decreasing the amount of wasted time on both sides of the fence. I’d also make sure every venue in the UK offered fast and stable wifi free of charge.
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