I have worked here since 1999 and the venue is still going strong with events.
I was attracted to this particular role because having worked in sales and marketing for ten years, and regularly having to source venues for either my own company or clients, I understand customer needs and about offering the service I would expect when working with a venue.
Not many people know that we have hosted some of the greatest Hollywood and UK stars at both venues, through all manner of events.
My worst experience at an event was during the 2010 World Cup. The TV-hire company we employed to install the TVs arrived with the wrong cabling. We managed to get it working five minutes before kick-off. Clients and their guests were in the room at the time.
If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s you can’t rely on technology. It has a mind of it’s own and can let you down when you least expect it.
The best event I’ve been involved in was... Usually the most memorable ones aren’t so much the ‘theatre’ of the event but the client you work with. They’re the ones who make it memorable.
If I could do it all over again I would employ a like-minded person to be enthusiastic and committed to customer service.
The one thing I can’t stand is rudeness – there is absolutely no need for it.
Outside of work I spend my time with my son. He’s 13 and plays rugby every Saturday and Sunday morning. I also catch up with friends.
If money were no object I would build a spa and have a beautician on hand for massages, facials and general pampering. Heaven.
The one event I will never miss is my son’s birthday.
The next 12 months will be about working smarter – trying to be innovative and creative, with more outsourcing in specialist technology areas.
If I could switch places with anyone else in the industry it would be someone from an advertising agency – their creative ideas are similar to mine.
If I ruled the event industry I would honour the awards industry more. I think many event professionals get overlooked, as do innovative venue concepts.