Meet the Team

Richard leads Events Apprenticeships on behalf of UKEvents. Following COVID he was approached in 2021 by some industry colleagues to see if he could help revive the failing Event Apprenticeship initiative.

He undertook a quick review, found minimal lack of knowledge around apprenticeships across the industry, ££ millions going unutilised, their importance as a route in, supporting and driving DEI and a way to help fill the enormous talent gap the industry was facing was a no brainer. Using his extensive network he pulled together a working group and got the ball rolling.

Richard performed poorly at school, suffering from Dyslexia and finding out later in life he suffers from ADHD. In 1975 aged 14 he was fortunate to get a job at The Abbey hotel in Malvern – where his future career started – he found a life he loved and could flourish. At 17 he was offered a trainee apprenticeship – fast forward 6-7 jobs, 20 years he founded First Protocol – now First Agency. over the following 15+ years the company grew, delivering events around the World, through offices in London, New York, Los Angeles and Singapore. Richard stepped down from FP in 2013.

Passionate about apprenticeships, Richard believes everybody should have the opportunity to find their passion and fulfil their destiny. – If he followed his career advisors advice at school, – he would have been working in a factory in Worcester making tin cans.

He says –‘Whilst nothing wrong with making tin cans, it wasn’t for me! I knew I could achieve and be successful, I just needed to find the right thing to focus my energy on. Hospitality and Events became that focus, they gave me purpose and opened a world of opportunities’.

I’d like to help pass those opportunities on.

Candice has worked in the events and marketing industry for over 15 years, within varying roles and responsibilities.

She is an accomplished events manager and marketing professional, with a track record of success and achievement within several highly competitive corporate, not-for-profit and membership organisations, with extensive experience in venue management, event operations, project management, budget management, content and programme managment.

Working in events has provided her with opportunities to meet amazing people from all over the world, the opportunity to organise incredible events on a variety of subjects and has been the driving force behind her own personal development and passion for the industry.

Candice is a Fellow of the Institute of Event Management, a member of ABPCO, a member of the Events Apprenticeships Advisory Board, speaker, writer and seasoned licensed skydiver.

LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candice-kass/

Throughout my seven-years in the dynamic realm of the events industry, I've had the privilege of witnessing its vibrancy and potential. However, it's evident that diversity and inclusion remain areas that have much room for improvement.

Despite notable progress, the truth is that diversity within the events industry has yet to reach its full potential. Many individuals are still unaware of the diverse array of roles available, and for those who do aspire to enter, the path can often seem uncertain.

As a Black woman, I am intimately familiar with the unique challenges that accompany entering the workforce. However, rather than allowing these hurdles to dissuade me, I am fuelled by a steadfast commitment to effecting positive change.

Becoming a board member for Events Apprenticeships, for me, is about dismantling barriers and forging pathways for individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. I am committed to being a driving force to positive change, shedding light on the wealth of diverse talent through apprenticeships and providing the necessary guidance and support for aspiring professionals to navigate their way with confidence.

Reshaping the narrative of the events industry won’t happen overnight, however, I am happy to be a part of the journey of transformation where every individual is afforded the opportunity to thrive and contribute to its collective success.

Having completed her level 3 Events Assistant apprenticeship in 2023, Katie now works for the University of Birmingham as an Event Manager organising academic conferences.

Katie currently sits as a member of the IfATE apprentice panel, using her recent experience to develop the apprenticeship experience for others.

Before working in events, Katie worked in education settings in administrative and pastoral roles for 10 years. She also has a Biological Sciences degree and a love of travel.

Managing Director, Anna joined Broadsword in 2014 with a clear vision to transform the agency into a socially responsible business.

The global event communications agency produces a wide range of in-person, hybrid and virtual global corporate events. Key to Anna’s approach is doing the right thing – for Broadsword’s people, clients, the events industry and the planet – building sustainability, diversity and inclusion and well-being into all aspects of the business.

A former teacher and mother oftwo, Anna has a passion for building a better world for young people and as a board member of EVCOM and Event Apprenticeships, Anna is a mentor and a huge advocate of supporting young people entering the events sector.

Kerrin MacPhie became chief executive of the Meetings Industry Association (mia) in November 2021. Having previously held senior posts in destinations, associations, hotels and convention centres as well as a number of voluntary board positions across the sector’s national and international associations, her extensive knowledge and infectious passion for business meetings and events provides the perfect background to support members while ensuring the mia continues to grow and adapt to the future needs of the industry.

Elsewhere Kerrin was Head of Business Events for VisitBritain/VisitEngland, promoting the UK to international markets across Europe, North America, and China. Her last role with the National Tourist Authority saw her develop good working relationships with government department DCMS and supporting the development of the Cross Whitehall Group on Business Events.

Kerrin is inspired by doing new things, developing new ideas and taking a new approach to delivering growth and development, building strong relationships and creating new opportunities. Examples of these include miaSummit, miaMeets and miaInsights, a quarterly review of the business meetings and events industry performance, which is welcomed by the government team at DCMS. Her ambition to succeed gives her energy to deliver, as making a difference is of great importance.

Lou Kiwanuka is the owner and founder of OpsShaper, a training and consultancy business focused on enabling brilliance in the Events sector.

Lou believes that a fully informed OpsProf needs knowledge, experience, network and collaboration in order to have confidence in bringing the unique talents and skills that they bring to the table.

Through The Ops Nest and training courses such as Ops Foundation and Ops Knowledge, Lou is committed to developing mechanisms for developing people in events within the global business event operations sector.

Lou serves the industry in a number of additional ways as chair of the Education Pillar of the Events Apprenticeship Programme with UK Events and as a founding fellow of the Institute of Event Management.

Founder of coaching and development company, ‘No More Ifs Or Buts’ and B Corp Certified workplace wellbeing company, Stress Matters, Laura Capell-Abra believes that Success doesn’t have to be Stressful.

As a trained coach, neuro linguistic practitioner and mental health first aid instructor, Laura and her teams focus on making workplace wellbeing easy. Laura previously ran marketing events agency, Sledge Ltd and so knows how important making the business case for investment into people is and the challenges that the events and hospitality industry deal with.

In her previous award-winning career in events, Laura was also commissioned to write the For Dummies guide to Event Management and now works with apprentices and the Chair of the Event Assistant Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group to support those entering the industry.

Leigh joined Production Resource Group in 1997 as an apprentice. Working his way through several warehouse departments including Control Systems, Moving Lights, Networking and Cable systems, before heading up the lanterns department. After completing his apprenticeship, Leigh spent 10 years as a touring Lighting technician before heading back into the office as an Account manager and then a Project Manager for the Concert touring market.

Following the pandemic Leigh was given the opportunity to head up the newly formed people services department where he looks after over 200 employees in the UK, focusing on PRG’s very successful apprenticeship, intern and work placement programmes, wider specialist technical recruitment, training and career development, as well as company culture, community and corporate responsibility. Leigh is a chartered member of the Chartered institute for Personnel and Development.

I’ve worked in the outdoor event industry for over 20 years. I started my events career as the South East Events Manager at English Heritage, planning and delivery outdoor events in some of the leading heritage attractions in the country. I was then fortunate enough to become the Head of Events at Leeds Castle in Kent, where I managed the public events programme.

My current role is the Event Director at Barnstorm Global, working on large-scale events providing event management to a wide variety of clients. It’s a wonderful job, that’s very rewarding. I am also the Vice President of the National Outdoor Event Association, a membership organisation specialising in the outdoor event industry.

I’m delighted to be part Event Apprenticeships Advisory Broad. Being part of helping shape and support the next generation of Event professionals is a huge privilege.