Our Speakers 2022
Chris started his career in media auditing at the Audit Bureau of Circulations, where he later led on the development of their auditing products for the event sector.
In 2006 Chris moved to the Events Industry Alliance (EIA), overseeing the merger of AEC & BECA to form ESSA (Event Supplier & Services Association) and the launch of the highly successful ‘Use an ESSA Member’ campaign. In 2010, he also became Director of ESSA’s sister association, AEV (Association of Event Venues), driving venue engagement through numerous special interest groups before moving on to AEO in 2014. He continues to be a Director of EIA, which represents the sector to government and regulators.
Chris holds a number of voluntary positions, and is Chair of the Ministerial appointed DCMS Events Industry Board, and is a member of the BEIS Professional Business Services Committee. He is Chair of BVEP (Business Visits & Events’ Partnership), a partnership of all leading associations in the event industry, and is an UFI Board Member and chair of their associations committee.
In the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021, he was awarded an OBE for services to the Events Industry.
Nick sits on the NOEA Council (National Outdoor Events Association), is Vice-Chair of AIF (Association of Independent Festivals), a Vice-Chair of BVEP (Business Visits and Event Partnership), is a member of the NTIA and strongly believes that the ‘informal events’ industry, an industry that brings in over £5 billion / year, should be championed, developed and supported by Government.
Nick is also a prominent member within the Festival DCMS/Public Health England Workforce. Nick additionally joined the High Street Task Force to help kickstart the rejuvenation of town centres and support local communities and government.
The independent festival sector is close to his heart and The Fair are one of the largest independent festival production houses in the UK working across 128 shows from Gala, Peckham to Eastern Electrics, Morden.
Nick often speaks on and facilitates discussion on topics that include managing growth, independent festivals, The Experience Economy, Government advocacy, Placemaking, Licensing and Health & Safety at many industry events including the Event Production Show, LAEOG and The All Parliamentary Group for Events.
Over the past ten years, Yas has produced large-scale events across the UK on behalf of independent promoters. She has particularly strong relationships in her hometown, London, having worked closely with a number of London local authorities to grow the city’s independent music festival scene across the Capital’s greenspaces. She works closely with Safety Advisory Groups throughout the UK and specialises in creating mutually beneficial relationships between the local communities that surround festival sites and the independent festival promoters, pushing the boundaries of art and music in the ever-burgeoning festival movement.
Yas ran her own staffing agency ‘The Wonder Staff’ for five years; providing London clubs, venues and festivals with door, gate, bar and customer service staff. She is the co-chair of the AIF DEI Steering Group Committee, and co-founded ‘We Are OPS’, a Health & Safety female-led agency.
Over the last several months, much of his time has been taken up with advising members on the impact of the ever-changing Covid-19 restrictions.
In addition to Producing events and festivals for the past 18 years at entertee for many high profile clients, Gill is also a founder and co-owner of entertee hire, successfully providing high quality, innovative fencing solutions for the event and festival industry.
Linda is from a town management background where she worked in partnership with business, community, town councils and the local authority to regenerate and achieve common goals. It was during this time that Linda was called on to deliver events as part of a regeneration programme and drew on experience gained in theatre and production management, “I love the world of outdoor events. It is theatre on a much grander scale. It is such a privilege to be involved in the creative process and to have some part in making special memories for our visitors and clients through events and weddings, with common sense and safe working practices at the core of everything we do.”
IOSH, Member of NOEA and LAEOG
Following a degree in Equine Business Management, Denis joined the Society in 2006 and was appointed Chief Executive in 2011. Denis has been instrumental in the creation of the Next Generation project which involves young people in all areas of the Society to keep the Show in safe hands for many years to come.
Outside of work Denis is married to Johanna and has two children – Bella and Jack, he enjoys cycling, visiting family and walking his dogs.
Paul was the previous national policing lead for PIP 4 ‘strategic investigation of complex, sensitive and serious crime’ advising on policy, guidance, and developing future senior law enforcement leaders and senior detectives. Paul has been a detective at every rank, a senior investigating officer since 2000 and has served previously with Sussex Police, National Crime Squad and Cambridgeshire Constabulary.
Paul continues to provide support across UK law enforcement as a College of Policing Associate and advisor. This also includes an 8-year deployment leading the reinvestigation into the 1994 high profile murder of 6-year-old Rikki Neave which was recently concluded at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey with a suspect finally convicted for life imprisonment in 2022.
Paul joined the Security Industry Authority as Director of Inspections & Enforcement in 2021 (returning to the police briefly in 2022), he is the public protection lead and leads on the SIA response to the Manchester Arena Inquiry findings.
Redwood’s client portfolio includes IMG, Vision Nine, Bristol Light Festival, Brand Events, St Pauls Carnival, JCB and Upfest.
“Whether it is with a safety, operational and or a production hat on, my years within the industry have always enabled me to find creative and practical solutions. In short, I believe you can do or achieve anything you want; you just have to think about it first.”
In addition to event cover, FMS is a training provider and has been heavily involved in the NHS Covid vaccination programme in the West Country. Recently it has partnered with World Extreme Medicine to produce and ship bespoke boxes of trauma equipment to medical colleagues in Ukraine.
Chris has considerable experience of providing medical input into SAGs and event working groups. Now retired from NHS practice, he lives in Somerset with his wife and two cats.
With over 20 years’ experience working in the homelessness sector LaToyah worked in multi-disciplinary environments, providing support and care to vulnerable individuals. Her experience includes working for charities and commercial entities alike.
There are hundreds of events which take place within the Avon and Somerset force area every year across a breadth of industries. Anything from music festivals such as Glastonbury & Forwards Festi-val, to sporting events including running events (5K to Marathons) & Badminton Horse Trials, Air Shows at Yeovilton and Weston-Super-Mare and Food and Drink events such as EAT Festivals & Pub in the Park – Bath.
Laura is a highly accomplished Senior Events Manager with experience of assessing, owning, and delivering multiple events within the public and private sectors.
“… the daily emails summarising the position, especially related to events, are very useful indeed …”
“Thank you for all your information and updates.”
“I’m sure all your members are thankful for your assistance in these trying times.”
“You are doing an AMAZING job supporting members”
“You guys are doing an amazing job of supporting the industry – you were out there first and are such a key resource!”
“… had to drop you a line to say how amazing your communications have been …”
“Keep ’em coming … NOEA’s proactivity on this topic is much appreciated!”
“NOEA has been absolutely fantastic in your support for all of us.”
“Thank you for your time and commitment keeping us updated about the effects of the pandemic on the events industry.”
“We have been glued to your information bulletins.”