We continue our SITE GB Young Leaders spotlight series, with an interview with Odette Peel, founder & director of ODP Travel, a boutique luxury travel and event management agency with a social purpose at its core. Prior to setting up her own business, Odette worked at a several agencies including Quintessentially and WRG Live and is passionate about using travel as a … Read More
Young Leaders Spotlight: Ashton Kelly
Next up in our SITE GB Young Leaders spotlight series, we meet Ashton Kelly, Head of Group & Corporate Sales at Rosewood London. Despite studying law, Ashton’s passion lay in hospitality, and she’s gained experience working for several leading brands, particularly in luxury hotel sales. A certified incentive professional, she has been working with Rosewood London for more than five … Read More
Young Leaders Spotlight: Max Simpkins
We chat to Max Simpkins, SITE GB’s newest board member, and director of the Young Leaders (YL) Committee, about the benefits of being involved in SITE, his plans to grow, promote and reconnect the young leaders community in 2022, his new job, and much more… Max recently joined Apex Hotels as MICE Sales Director, having spent the past five years … Read More
Member spotlight: Ami Dorkings, Penguins Events – DRPG
After taking a year out to travel and live overseas, Ami found her passion and knew she wanted to find a job that allowed her to see the world. “Learning the ropes within pharmaceutical events, I realised there was more to life than airport hotels and compliance so ventured into the world of incentive travel with Penguins. Now as a … Read More
Member spotlight: Emma Cashmore, Axis Travel Marketing
Emma Cashmore says she knew from a very early age that the travel and hospitality sector was something she loved dearly. Her career has included a range of roles across sectors including destination representation, tour operations, corporate travel and cruise. “My true passion led me to specialising in destination representation specifically promoting meetings and incentives, marketing and PR (consumer and trade). Fourteen years … Read More
Member Spotlight: Ann Wilson, Historic Royal Palaces
Over hundreds of years, the historic royal palaces have provided the backdrop to glittering banquets, ground-breaking conferences, fabulous celebrations and splendid royal occasions. With stunning spaces such as The Tower of London and Kensington Palace in the portfolio, it’s easy to understand why Head of Sales Ann Wilson, has worked at Historic Royal Palaces for 26 years. Prior to that, … Read More
Member spotlight: Charla Forinton, Rocco Forte Hotels
Charla Forinton’s career has been luxury all the way. After studying hotel management in New Hampshire USA, she started her career with Venice Simpson Orient-Express on the trains side, moved to Starwood when the brand was first launched and then to Four Seasons Hotels. “After five fab years heading up the regional sales team, I decided to leave London, had … Read More
Member Spotlight: Peter Jackson, Red Blaze
Peter Jackson’s first event as a trainee was the launch of the Austin Metro to dealers in 1980. He moved agency side in the mid-80’s working in performance improvement at various event agencies before co-founding red e2 in 1999 and destin 8 in 2002. The two agencies recently merged to become Red Blaze. Peter is joint managing director/owner at the … Read More
Member spotlight: Graeme Saunders, Sandals and Beaches Resorts
Meet Graeme Saunders, Groups and Mice Manager for Sandals & Beaches Resorts. Saunders has had a varied career, including stints as a butcher and estate agent, before moving into the travel sector. He spent 8.5 years at British Airways in various roles in cargo, corporate and leisure sales, followed by a short stint with Emirates on the leisure side. “I … Read More
Member Spotlight: Graham Alderman, Ulterior Events
In our first member spotlight, we meet one of SITE GB’s newest members, Ulterior Events Managing Director, Graham Alderman. Graham started his career selling corporate merchandise, before following in his fathers’ footsteps and joining the world of incentive travel. “I used to love his stories of dinners in deserts, cocktails on catamarans and gala night dinners under the stars so … Read More