Michael Begley - Managing Director
Michael is a dynamic, proactive and vibrant personality, who persistently seeks the opportunities and ingredients to innovate new products and efficiencies for the events industry.
Carol Whitney - Commercial Director
A well known name, face and personality in the UK MICE industry, Carol has continually progressed up the ranks through many different avenues in events to Directorship.
Heather Swatkins - Client Services Director
After many years experience and success in the Meetings, Conference and Events sector, Heather has earned herself an enviable reputation as a forward thinking and fast reacting achiever.
Richard Parkin - Founder
Richard Parkin is the Founder of venuedirectory.com. He created the company back in 1993 as the first electronic directory of searchable venue information for event planners, originally supplied as floppy discs and later as CD’s.
Simon Lester - Chairman
Whilst Chairman of the successful event booking agency VRG, Simon worked with Michael Begley, Heather Swatkins and Carol Whitney - together they made a formidable team.
Simon Carr - IT Director
Simon’s vast software knowledge and skills are underpinned by over a decade of industry experience.
Tom Parkin - Supplier Sales Manager
The cheeky chappie with curly hair that’s earned him the office nickname of Worzel! Tom often has venue personnel smiling and laughing with his chatter and could give James Bond a run for his money with his informative approach to industry knowledge.
Laura Overton - Marketing Manager
Like many others in the venuedirectory.com team, Laura is an industry veteran. Starting her career in sales during the 1990’s she progressed into advertising, working in both London and Dorset based full service agencies, before moving into hotel group sales and marketing.
Emma Reeves - Operations Manager
The world needs more gorgeous and talented people like Emma! She runs venuedirectory.com’s offices with military precision but with such a warm smile and thankful tone, we all flock to please her.
Rachel Jackson – Venue/Supplier Assistant
Rachel’s effortlessly calm demeanour complements her role within customer service and administration – which is why she receives so much praise from our clients!
Chantel Robin - Venue Group Manager
Chantel has a passion for this industry having recently graduated from Bournemouth University with a BA Honours in Event Management.
Ben Stanley - Software Developer
A database specialist extraordinaire! Quite handy really, as Ben’s passion and interest is the GRATIS booking system.
Toya Smith - Online Sales Development Manager
Toya has spent her entire career in venues and events, from reception to conferencing to PA. She’s the experience and empathy to know what our industry needs to book events. We’re not quite sure how or where she gets her energy from, but it’s infectious!
Melissa McCreight - Venue Relationship Manager
Hailing from the big city lights of London, Melissa arrived on the sparkly beaches of Bournemouth (via Milton Keynes) to claim her rightful place in the venuedirectory.com team.
Graham Bintcliffe - Sales Team Leader
As business grows, so do the roles, talent and personalities in the office here in Bournemouth, which is why we asked Graham to join us to support, develop and guide our sales team.