Resume
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
1997 – 2001 BSc. (Hons) Business and Management Studies – 2:1
University of Bradford, UK
1994 – 1996 A-Levels – Business Studies (A), Geography (B) and English Literature (B)
Netherhall Sixth Form Centre, Cambridge, UK
1989 – 1994 GCSE’s 9 A*- C grades, The Netherhall School, Cambridge, UK
KEY SKILLS
During my career I have organised large-scale international events in the UK, Middle East, and Asia; directed events attended by over 2,000 paying delegates; managed high-profile sporting events; and developed successful industry driven conferences. I have a high level of expertise in the following areas:
- Topic generation, research and programme development
- Developing and managing industry-led initiatives including women in leadership, youth programs, startups, awards
- Managing partnerships with advisory and technical committees and industry associations
- Speaker acquisition and management
- Budget setting, forecasting and P&L management
- Developing content driven sponsorship opportunities
- PR / Media relations
- Marketing, copy writing and communication planning (in traditional, digital and social media)
- Setting up online payment and registration platforms
- On-site event management
- Post-event reporting and recommendations
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
May 2011 – to date Consultant
I have worked as a consultant in the capacity of Programme Director, Event Director, Conference Manager and Project Manager for a number of leading event organizers, associations and multinational organizations. My projects to date include:
2019 Events
Dubai World Trade Centre
- Conference Director for the Gulfood Innovation Summit, part of the world’s largest food trade event
Petroleum Economist
- Conference Director for the GCC Energy Strategy Forum in Kuwait, co-hosted with Kuwait Petroleum Company
2018 Events
Haymarket Media
- Conference Director for Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) Annual Conference – MENA, Dubai & Australia
2017 Events
Middle East Energy Events (ME3)
- Programme Director for MEPEC 2017 (Middle East Process Engineering Conference), Bahrain
- Conference Manager for CCPS – MEPSC 2017 (American Academy of Chemical Engineers Middle East Process Safety Conference)
- Project Manager for MEPEC Industry Initiatives: ICZ (Innovation Commercialization Zone), LEWAS (Leadership Excellence Women Awards), ChemMe Youth Programme
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
- Conference Director for CABSAT
Mazeej Events
- Event Director for the International Pipeline Coating Conference (IPCC)
2016 Events
Gulf Business (Motivate Publishing)
- Event Director for Toshiba Middle East Medical Forum
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
- Conference Director for CABSAT
Mazeej Events
- Event Director for the International Pipeline Coating Conference (IPCC) 2016
ITE Group PLC
Conference Producer for 2nd Global Oil & Gas South East Europe and Mediterranean Conference & Exhibition
Middle East Energy Events (ME3)
- Conference Manager for Ethylene Middle East Technology Conference (EMET) 2016, Bahrain
2015 Events
Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
- Conference Manager for GITEX & GISEC
Mazeej Events
- Event Director for the International Pipeline Coating Conference (IPCC) 2015
Middle East Council for Shopping Centres (MECSC)
- Event Director for RECon MENA & ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centres) regional awards programme
DMG
- Conference research and programme development for Women in Energy Programme for ADIPEC
2014 Events
Turret Media
- Marketing Consultant for: GCC Municipality Conference (Department of Municipal Affairs), Abu Dhabi & Abu Dhabi Road Safety Conference (Abu Dhabi Municipality)
ABTEC
- Arabian Banking & Technology Conference, Bahrain
Oman Expo, Oman
- Oman Future Buildings Conference & The Big Show
Clarion Events, The Energy Exchange
- Conference Manager for Operational Excellence for Oil and Gas sector Middle East 2014
- Green Build research project
2013 Events
Clarion Events, The Energy Exchange
- Petchem Arabia 2013
- Middle East Downstream Week 2013
DMG Events Middle East
- Machine to Machine Forum 2013
- Facilities Management (FM) Expo 2013
MEED, EMAP Middle East
- 15th Annual Project Finance Summit 2013
2012 Events
MEED, EMAP Middle East
- Libya Oil & Gas Focus Day 2012
- Middle East Water & Wastewater Conference 2012
- 3rd Annual Middle East Brownfields Forum
Clarion Events, The Energy Exchange
- Petchem Arabia 2012
REED Exhibitions
- Confidential research project
IIR Middle East, UAE
- Contact Centre Forum
World Bank Group, International Finance Corporation, UAE
- Making Global Connections 2012: International Private Education Conference, Dubai
2011 Events
United Business Media (UBM), UAE
- Building Future Education 2011 conference (BFE MENA), Abu Dhabi
Jan 2009 – July 2010 International Conferences & Exhibitions LLC. (IC&E), UAE
CONFERENCE DIRECTOR
IC&E was founded in 1985 and organizes exhibitions in the Middle East and Asia including GETEX (the Gulf Education & Training Exhibition) and OGS (the Arab Oil & Gas Show)
- Launch and develop IC&E’s Conference Division overseeing all departments including marketing, sales and operations
- Established The Global Forum on Technology in Education
- Manage annual event budget of $190,000 to ensure achievement of revenue and sales targets are met within timeframes
- Project managed large scale events including TESOL Arabia annual conference attended by over 2,000 paying delegates
- Implement sales targets and marketing plans for conferences and seminars
- Activate marketing and PR campaign for each event including copy writing for all marketing collateral
- Develop new business for managed events with trade associations and government organizations
Feb 2008 – Jan 2009 IQPC Middle East – Dubai, UAE
DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR
IQPC is one of the world’s leading organisers of conferences, seminars and in-house training programmes delivering over 2,000 events each year.
- Managing project teams consisting of sales, marketing and operations for over 20 annual events including Leaders in Islamic Finance and Institutional Investments Summit
- Research and evaluate conference topics to identify and generate profitable market sectors for new events and to grow existing event portfolio
- Coordinate all phases of the project management cycle for multiple events from launch phase through to onsite event management
- Marketing: Control divisions’ annual event budget of $250,000. Plan and activate marketing campaigns for each event. Proof reading and copy writing marketing event material
- People Management: hiring, training and performance management of 3 Conference Managers
- Support sponsorship sales team by providing strategic direction, and attending client sales meetings
Sept 2005 – Feb 2008 IIR Middle East – Dubai, UAE
SENIOR CONFERENCE MANAGER
IIR is part of the Informa Group, the world’s largest Exhibitions & Events Company with a global network of 45 businesses units employing over 8,000 people
- Produced large scale events including Cityscape Dubai, Cityscape India, Retail City and Arab Health Abu Dhabi
- Generating market driven and profitable conference and training course programs with minimum gross profit margins of 50%.
- Researching and evaluating conference topics and analyzing industry trends across the Finance, Real Estate, and Marketing sectors
- Marketing: Manage annual conference budget of $170,000. Develop and activate media plans for each event and oversee onsite marketing.
- Copy writing of all marketing material including conference brochure, conference website, e-shots, sales letters, and press releases
- Building partnerships with industry associations and the media both regionally and internationally.
- Acquisition of high level speakers both regionally and internationally and continuous networking and communication with existing and potential speakers.
May 2004 – Sept 2005 St Martin’s Magazines Plc – London, UK
PROMOTIONS & EVENTS MANAGER
St Martin’s Magazines publish Country Illustrated, Hunting and Country Club UK magazines
- Managing travel, restaurant, hotel, and theatre promotions for society membership magazine Country Club UK. Negotiating exclusive hotel rates for Country Club UK members
- Event Management: Organising membership events such as polo, horseracing, gala dinners, and business and lifestyle seminars
- Marketing: Increase membership through planning and activating advertising & PR campaigns. Create direct mail campaigns to existing members. Manage annual promotions budget and produce quarterly revenue reports.
- People Management: Managing team of two Promotions Negotiators. Training staff on travel promotions, and organising staff incentives and hotel visits
- PR: Representing Country Club UK at media events, venue launches and exhibitions. Sourcing editorial for top sporting events such as Wimbledon, Henley Regatta, Six Nations Rugby, and Royal Ascot
Dec 2001 – May 2004 Newmarket Racecourse – Suffolk, UK
COMMERCIAL MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Newmarket Racecourse is the home of British horseracing, established in 1809 with the world famous 2000 Guineas race
- Sales: Promoting and selling race sponsorship. Generating new business through pro-active selling and repeat business though client relationship building and corporate entertaining. Key account management of high profile clients such as UAE’s Godolphin stables
- Marketing: Producing corporate hospitality brochures, direct mail campaigns, visitor promotions, marketing literature for Newmarket Nights, and co-coordinating live music acts.
- Event Management: Organising corporate dinners, weddings, and conferences. Coordinating with suppliers, speakers and racing celebrities. meeting customer requirements, and after-sales service to gain customer loyalty