1. How did you first get into the events industry?
After finishing my A levels I knew I wanted to travel the world but also wanted to go to University so I flicked through the UCAS book and saw events management at Leeds (one of my favourite cities) and the rest they say is history. I had a great 4 years at Uni with the second year being a placement in London where I learnt from the very best. I was 20 years old traveling the world, attending red carpet film premieres, helping arranging events for MTV and knew this was the dream job for me.

2. What was your initial role when you joined John Saunders at Exosphere?
When I joined John at Exosphere 15 years ago, I started as an events director but as a freelancer. This only lasted 2 months as John and I quickly developed such a good working relationship we agreed for me to go full time and really take the company forward together.

3. What was it like transitioning from Exosphere to helping John found Origination in 2018?
Transitioning to Origination was an exciting challenge. Leaving behind the familiar environment of Exosphere and stepping into a new venture with John was invigorating. We were building something new from the ground up, which allowed us to innovate and shape the company’s vision. But with our long-standing clients embracing our change with us, the move was easy for us.

4. How has the role of Client Services Director evolved over the years?
The role has evolved significantly. Initially, it was more about managing logistics and client expectations. Now, it involves a deeper strategic approach, including anticipating industry trends, implementing new technologies, and continuously improving our service offerings.

5. What’s been the most rewarding aspect of working at Origination?
Witnessing the growth of Origination from its inception. Seeing how our hard work and dedication has built a strong reputation in the industry and established lasting client relationships is incredibly fulfilling.

6. Can you share a standout moment from your time at Origination?
Hard to give just one. For all events, I always strive to have those moments when guests are wowed by what they are experiencing; they stop when enter a room to take photos of what has been curated or even how a room has been turned around in such a short amount of time.

Or when the event is finished, and the client just gives you the biggest praise and are looking forward to arranging the next event together.

7. What’s your favourite event that you’ve worked on with Origination?
There are so many events for different reasons.

In Lisbon we had 450 delegates and 14 meetings running at the same time but different locations, AV and catering requirements. It was also in Lisbon we did a flash mob dance during the dinner (with professional dancers posing as staff all evening), and this was so unexpected by all, raising the evening to another level of surprise.

Then in Florence, having 50 Italian classic cars being driven by the clients to a private castle in the Tuscan hills with the police escort stopping the traffic to allow all the cars to leave the city safely.

8. How do you balance innovation with maintaining the high standards of client service?
By continuously assessing our processes and client feedback. We embrace new technologies and trends but always ensure they align with our commitment to delivering exceptional service. It also helps that John has his finger on the pulse so is always up to speed on modern technology and how they can enhance our events.

9. How do you manage to balance your demanding career with family life?
It requires careful planning and a strong support system. Having a reliable team at work and supportive family members makes it possible to excel in both areas. My husband is very understanding when I am away for sometimes 3-4 weeks at a time with back-to-back events during the busy event seasons.

10. What advice would you give to someone starting out in the events industry?
If you like an organisational role, want to travel, and have new experiences, the events industry is for you. Working hours can be long but the reward you get from delivering a fantastic event and exceeding expectations year on year, makes those long hours’ worth while.

I would also say, stay curious and never stop learning. The industry is always evolving, so staying updated with trends and continuously improving your skills is crucial. Also, building strong relationships with clients and colleagues is essential for long-term success.

11. Looking ahead, what are you most excited about for the future of the events industry?
Excited about traveling to new destinations, meeting new people whether they are clients, delegates or suppliers and seeing how our working relationship can raise the bar year on year.

The events industry is rapidly evolving with advancements in technology so eager to see how we can leverage these developments to enhance our offerings and continue leading in the industry.