Director of Events
Middle East Economic Digest
Total years of experience :14 years, 10 Months
Led MEED through strategic change during Covid 19 Pandemic incorporating restructure, rigor, process and launch of new events to redefine market position and ensure commercial success through orchestrating landmark events to ensure portfolio retention & growth.
• Led the regions first Hybrid event in 2020 post covid. ‘AHIC on the Road’ which was held in 7 venues across 3 days, which delivered at 73% GP.
• Conceptulised 2 new virtual conferences in 2020, which went onto second editions in 2021 tripling YOY returns.
• Curated over 67 events in 2021 across a variety of marketing solutions resulting in a revenue circa $2.1m.
• Created new revenue streams by introducing new marketing solutions offerings, which operate to a minimum of 83% GP.
• Diversified existing awards portfolio price points to cater for alternative clients.
• Horizontal management: Partnered with sales team on event and sponsorship proposals, pricing and contracts as well as client management. Worked closely with designer to ensure quality of design and brand representation.
• Vertical management: Worked closely with MEED’s Group Commercial Director, CFO and GlobalData’s regional CEO on restructuring and redeveloping the portfolio and ongoing development of the events department.
• Responsibility for the events budgets and targets.
• Instigated, negotiated and signed agreement with Dubai Police to be the new venue location for all Ripe Markets in 2019.
• Implemented solid training procedures with each team member (6) to ensure efficiency, excellent customer service and a
positive experience with everyone Ripe engages with.
• Created and implemented annual and quarterly strategies to grow the market business. Through growing weekly markets,
hosting pop up markets and by researching and securing additional opportunities utilising not only the brand name but our
database of unique vendors.
• Expanded the Ripe Markets Business Model to generate more revenue for the business into new event management
opportunities such as provision of Ripe managed foodies villages at sporting event such as the Daman’s Activelife beach run.
• Accountability to ensure that all events operate with all necessary permits and approvals.
• Pitched and negotiated new partnerships and seasonal sponsorships increasing these by 26% YoY. Drafted variety of
agreements to ensure maximum revenue and exposure from each.
• Ensured cost effective marketing across a variety of platforms is operated to ensure high footfall to all events.
Awards and Managed Events;
Conference and
Volunteered to be on Project Management team for the development and build of the GlobalData events platform
Are we really safe? (Crowd management)
Sustainability in Events. Impacts and Legacy of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games
Seminars: How do we cope in wet weather for events managers and Events in a digital world
Maximising Profitable Business from Effective Telesales
Recruiting for Excellence, Realising a Culture of Environmental sustainability: Festivals, Events and Tourism
International Good Practise in Festivals and Events Seminar Planned Events & the Next Enlightenment Lecture.
Successful Show rounds and Negotiating, Enquiry Handling, Maximising Conversion, Customer Focused Selling and Working in Partnership with Agents, Wine and Food Pairing, Fire Stewarding and the Hilton Hotel; Hilton Service Excellence.
courses: Executive Certificate in Event Management; Napier University, Edinburgh A four-day intensive training programme designed to provide a foundation of key skills and knowledge associated with the creation and delivery of corporate, private and public events. Outlined industry best practice in the marketing planning, conduct and evaluation of events.
courses: Executive Certificate in Event Management; Napier University, Edinburgh A four-day intensive training programme designed to provide a foundation of key skills and knowledge associated with the creation and delivery of corporate, private and public events. Outlined industry best practice in the marketing planning, conduct and evaluation of events.
courses: Executive Certificate in Event Management; Napier University, Edinburgh A four-day intensive training programme designed to provide a foundation of key skills and knowledge associated with the creation and delivery of corporate, private and public events. Outlined industry best practice in the marketing planning, conduct and evaluation of events.