During the late 90s I was running an event management business holding very specifically targeted executive breakfasts, dinners and golf events.  The audience had to be of the highest calibre and needed to be attracted by a great package of superior venues, spirited discussion, and excellent food.  The most important element, however, was a speaker that truly had a strong, new message for their businesses.

The brief was always specific and the budget for the speaker never as much as I would have liked!  Early on I found that Maria’s working style when discussing options with me fitted exactly with mine.  With her support we delivered some excellent events and some happy delegates and clients.

Circumstances changed and when in 2002 Maria mentioned that she was rushed off her feet and really needed some logistics’ help, I offered my services.  Since January 2003 I’ve looked after things for her and feel confident that we’ve experienced almost every situation.  We’ve sorted out private jets when fog brought all commercial flights in France and Belgium to a halt.  We’ve pulled out all the stops to ensure our client wasn’t let down when a speaker was taken ill in transit.  We’ve even been able to sort out travel visas at the last minute to enable a speaker to get into Saudi Arabia easily to make a perfect keynote speech for a very relieved client.

Over the years we’ve found we have more than work in common!  We both love our dogs and the runs on the beach, summer and winter, when Maria comes to Dorset.  My family relocated here in 2002.  We’ve also enjoyed cooking together – the courses at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons were especially memorable.   So, we work hard together, and play happily – a great combination!

By the way, that's me on the right of the photo above, with my lovely daughter. We were recently celebrating her 18th birthday!