Power 50 Publication - Flipbook - Page 5
Page 5
So, I took a life break and headed to the
Alps where I met my husband.” They set
up and ran Cheekylittlechalet.com
together for two years before recognising
a gap for a company focused on
corporate ski events and Freshly Squeezed
Events was born. The business now
delivers a full range of virtual and live
events for global brands.
Toughest challenge:
The pandemic has been one of the
biggest challenges I've had to face. I think
this is where women came into our own.
When confronted with adversity - an
extreme set of circumstances, we can
think on our feet, multi-task and deliver
outstanding results against all odds. What
I've observed as one of our USPs, is our
ability to combine empathy and creativity
to get the right outcomes.
Proudest professional achievement:
When Freshly Squeezed Events hit its first
million.
Person who most inspired me:
My Auntie Yvonne, who sadly recently
passed away, has been one of my
greatest inspirations. After losing my uncle
in an accident in 1969, she went on to
grow their already successful publication
Mayfair, to be one of the world’s leading
international men's magazines of its time,
alongside Playboy. To be a successful
women leader in an entirely male dominated publishing industry was an incredible
feat. I don't think she ever saw being a
woman as a disadvantage, in fact
possibly the opposite. And that's certainly
how I feel today.
corporate clients find the perfect venues
for their meetings and events. Over the
last 27 years, Penny has led a dedicated
team of industry specialists, who have
built strong relationships with clients and
increased business turnover to £6million
per year and won numerous awards.
Most memorable moment:
Looking back, I’d say it was the first Gold
award we received for Best Intermediary
agency for under 40 employees, at the
M&IT Awards. Receiving our first one was
very special and memorable because it
was voted for by our wonderful clients in
recognition of the high standard of service
my team provides.
Proudest professional achievement:
The success of my business, which started
in my parent’s spare bedroom. It has not
only provided a high quality service to our
clients, but it has also provided financial
security for me and my team, many of
whom I’ve seen get married, purchase
their first homes, start families, and
develop their own careers. I’m very proud
of this.
Inspiring the next generation:
I was positively inspired by those who
guided and mentored me throughout my
career. I’ve employed many young
women who are just starting out in their
careers and feel personally responsible for
‘giving back’ the guidance and nurturing
I’ve received. I enjoy mentoring and
coaching them and watching their
confidence and capability grow.
agency side to Zibrant. “International
event operations remained my passion
and in 2016, I moved to American Express
GBT as regional account manager, then
head of operations EMEA and today lead
the UK & Ireland M&E team. I love the
passion that events people exhibit for the
job – it drives me on.”
Biggest challenge:
My biggest challenge was loving operations and event delivery but realising that
being a mum and travelling for frequent
long periods of time internationally was
not going to work. Working out where my
strengths were and how I could stay in an
industry I love was tricky. Realising that I
could lead the teams delivering events
was an important changing point. I now
enjoy watching my great colleagues
deliver fantastic events.
Proudest professional achievement:
A high point was organising a 25th
Anniversary reception and dinner for the
charity I worked for at St James's Palace
with patron Prince Philip in attendance. It
was fascinating to work within the Royal
Palace environment and protocol.
Person who most inspired me:
Peter Rand has been a great inspiration to
me. When he started Peter Rand Group
(the year I was born!) he was ahead of his
time in terms of agency intermediaries,
systems, client implants and innovation.
He saw the potential in everyone, and it
was a truly happy part of my career
working with someone who was so driven
with a passion for the industry but also a
big heart for his team.
Penny Banyard
Emma Bason
Christine Bennett
Managing Director, First Choice
Conference & Events
UK & Ireland Meetings & Events
Director, American Express Meetings
& Events
Founder, Taylor Bennett Partners
Penny joined the hospitality industry in
1985 after achieving her Diploma in Hotel
and Catering Management. Over the next
10 years, she developed her passion for
managing teams and providing customers with high standards of excellence in
country house hotels. In 1995 she started
her own business, First Choice Conference
& Events, with the aim of helping
Emma joined the events industry via
translating for a small local travel and
meetings agency. In 1996, she joined the
Peter Rand Group at its new Pfizer M&E
implant in Kent, which grew from strength
to strength to over 100 people. After five
years managing marketing and events at
a large financial charity, she moved back .
Christine’s first job associated with events
was as a marketing communications
manager in the software industry in 1984.
For the next nine years, she held senior
positions at two international software
companies marketing B2B software
throughout Europe and running events,
before setting up her own events business
in 1993. “Over the past 29 years, the
company has developed from one person
.
