Power 50 Publication - Flipbook - Page 6
Page 6
to become a family business with my
husband, eldest son, my niece and
currently 15 members of staff.”
Most memorable moment:
In 2018, for the first time, we decided to
enter some industry awards. Not only did
we win Best Telecoms & Technology Event
for the Adobe Summit at the C&IT Awards
but were delighted to also be awarded
the Grand Prix – Best of the Best Award.
This was unquestionably my most
memorable moment.
Proudest professional achievement:
We offer full registration services to our
clients and information security is of the
utmost importance. To demonstrate our
commitment, we took the decision to
become IS0 27001 accredited and set
ourselves the target of achieving this
within 12 months. This was an aggressive
target as there was a huge amount of
work involved and policies to put in place.
Every member of staff worked incredibly
hard to both understand, learn, and
implement these policies. When we
achieved the accreditation, I felt
immensely proud of my entire team.
Inspiring the next generation:
This Power 50 book is great progress to
showcase successful female leaders who
are doing it their way, whether that’s whilst
raising a family or not. So often there has
been a view of what a leader needs to be,
and I think we should constantly be
questioning that and showcasing role
models who have proved there isn't a one
size fits all approach, and you don’t need
to fit a certain stereotype.
Most memorable moment:
It’s difficult to single out one specific
moment as I’ve had the opportunity to
work on some amazing projects over the
years with some incredibly talented
colleagues. Helping some of the most
senior business leaders in the UK deliver
engaging and impactful content to their
audiences is something I really love doing.
Of course, continuing to deliver complex
pieces of communication during the
pandemic has been a particular
challenge, and I’m proud that we have
grown our business during that time.
“Being asked to join the board at
Strata is my proudest achievement. I
hope I can show my colleagues that
it’s possible to work your way up.
The opportunities are there – you
just need to take them!”
Manchester was way outside my comfort
zone and something I would never have
considered before, so that is something I
am particularly proud of.
Biggest challenge:
The work life balance of being a mum and
working long hours especially as children
grow older and reach different stages.
“Trying to be everything to
everybody in busy times is tough.”
Inspiring the next generation:
I was invited to a local girl’s school career
fair recently to talk about events/MICE. As
an industry, I think we need to do this
more with schools and really educate
people what the industry is all about, i.e.,
not all the glitz and glamour it appears to
be on the outside but a lot of hard work.
Inspiring the next generation:
I believe that as an industry we should
support women more to develop the skills
and confidence they need to fulfil their
ambition and potential. In the coming
months, we at Strata are focusing on
promoting a healthy culture to ensure the
team feels supported, valued and
motivated, to allow them to be their best.
Alexis Butler
Managing Director, Wolf & White
Susan Brogan
Partner, Venue Seekers
Andrea Bishop
Director of Live and Virtual, Strata
Twenty-five years ago, Andrea started
work experience at one of the companies
that went on to become Strata. “I had no
previous event experience, but three
months later I got a full-time role and
became a project coordinator. Over the
years I developed my skills in production
to become head of production, with a
specific focus on content. I was asked to
join the board as director of live and
virtual in 2021, and I now enjoy a balance
overseeing the team and delivering some
of our flagship work for key clients.”
After a degree in marketing with
languages, Susan worked in an IT sales
and marketing role, but moved into hotels
after having her first child, starting out as
a hostess at a Crown Plaza property
before moving into the sales department
at BDL Hotels. “I moved into the agency
world 16 years ago and the rest is history.
Many of my contacts and clients from my
hotel role came with me and are still my
clients today. I am finally doing what I love.
My only wish is that I had more confidence
earlier on to take the plunge. I should have
followed my heart and entered this
industry earlier.”
Most memorable moment:
There have been many as a female
leader, but maybe being in labour on the
stairs at home and still making final calls
with clients to tie up events! Hosting a
hybrid industry pilot event and
interviewing speakers live on stage in
Lex kicked off her career in the industry by
reading Event Management at Leeds
University, but after a year fell ill and had
to drop out or repeat a year. She decided
to drop out and go straight for a job at an
agency, joining World Events as a
delegate coordinator and working her
way up to account director. She spent
four and a half years at Zibrant, working
her way across the business as head of
creative services, creative director and
business development director before
joining the board at the age of 29. “I came
to a natural point in my career where I felt
I could do this on my own. This is when
Wolf & White, my brand engagement
agency was born.”
Most memorable moment:
For me, my proudest moment would be
the Wolf & White team winning triple
trophies at C&IT awards for the work they
had done. I knew the event was world
class, but to see the team I had built and
nurtured be recognised and celebrated
gave me goosebumps.
Biggest challenge:
Back in the day, being female and young
but holding senior positions in agencies
wasn't very common. So, there was
judgement and pushing my opinions
