In this series, features and series developer Heather Nicholls speaks to the unsung heroes of the events industry to reveal what really drives their passion and the remarkable contributions we too often overlook.
In the fourth edition, we meet Mark Perrett, event supervisor at 15Hatfields.His role involves welcoming clients into the venue and supporting them throughout their event, with whatever they need, After the event he clears the rooms and readies them for any events the following day.
He says: “The ability to manage every aspect of an event plays a crucial part in everything that we do behind the scenes. Once the client’s event has started, it is my job to manage my team accordingly to get everything reset on time, while looking professional and seamless to the client.”
Perret started out in the events industry eight years ago, when his sister, who at the time was working for 15Hatfields, introduced him to the venue and its heavy influence in the need to drive change within the industry when it came to sustainability.
When asked what attracted him to his particular role he said: “There were two main things that stood out for me. Firstly, it was being so hands-on in helping our clients have the best experience they possibly could have here at 15Hatfields and secondly, being the face of 15Hatfields when our clients step through the front door and building strong working relationships with them, so they know that when they have their event here with us, they are in safe and informed hands.”
He explains that his role is vital to the success of events at 15Hatfields because it oversees all of the client’s needs throughout the day, as well as the tasks that must be completed by the staff within the venue. He says: “Having oversight and the ability to multitask to keep everything moving in tandem with each other is vital for an event’s success.”
Quick Q and A:
What does a typical day look like for you on-site?
We start the day by welcoming clients into the venue and showing them their designated rooms and spaces, making sure everything is in order and to be on hand if anything needs to be changed quickly before their day starts.
Conversing with the person running the event to ensure that our notes align with everything they require, from the timings of their breaks throughout the day, to any other additional requirements, including AV, big or small, that they have requested to be ready and in place for the arrival of delegates.
From then on, I will manage my team alongside our venue supervisor, Liam, to cater to the clients’ needs throughout their day. After the event finishes, depending on whether we have an event the following day, my time will be spent managing myself and my team to set up the rooms for the next day’s events and have everything in place ready for our next clients.
If your job didn’t exist, what do you think organisers or attendees would miss most?
It is vital that our clients are greeted with a friendly and welcoming face that provides comfort in knowing that they are in safe hands throughout the day. Without that support and a professional and friendly relationship being established, the event organisers’ nerves would rise, the impact of responsibility and tasks would increase for the client, resulting in a much busier and frantic day. Ultimately, our job is to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and that’s what I believe my job focuses on.
What’s something most people don’t realise about your job?
It is mentally and physically challenging. In this fast-paced environment, we are always needing to be two steps ahead of the game. Whether we are problem solving, acting quickly on requests from clients or their delegates, splitting tasks between our team to prioritise efficiency, maintaining health and safety standards, and keeping up the high professionalism we always aim to achieve, all while looking after anything between 30 and 300 people. During our busiest times, myself and my team will average anywhere between 19,000 – 25,000 steps a day, 80,000 – 120,000 a week, which can be very demanding. But we make sure that we do all of that with a smile on our face and a positive attitude.
What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced during an event?
There are so many elements that need my time and attention, and I think the hardest (but also most enjoyable) challenge is making sure that every working component on the day works in unison and complements each other. As soon as the ball is slightly dropped in one area, it could have a knock-on effect on everything else that contributes to running a smooth event in our venue.
What’s one event you’ll never forget working on and why?
In 2023, we held a fine dining sit-down meal for the MATA Awards to celebrate those in the educational industry who excel at what they do. We worked closely with Boulevard Events’ fine dining catering company to put on our first palm oil free sit-down meal. It was hugely successful and was truly an event to remember.
What has been your proudest moment so far?
My proudest moment so far was back in 2023 when 15Hatfields held an awards ceremony alongside our trusted fine dining catering company Boulevard Events. The event featured our first Palm oil free sit-down meal, alongside 15Hatfields becoming the first venue to be 100% palm oil free, which was a fantastic and painstaking achievement to reach.
Perrett measures success in his role through the response of clients and whether they want to return to the venue in the future. He says; “If they feel supported throughout the day, if they feel like their event with us went incredibly smoothly for them, with the help of me and my team, and if they leave the venue with a smile on their face and want to come back to us again in the future, then that to for me is a great indication that I have succeeded in what i set out to do.”
He explains how his work has changed over the years, especially post-pandemic, with the increased demand for virtual and hybrid events. He says: “Luckily, we are well placed to deal with this. It’s all about giving flexibility with our spaces and really listening to our clients. We have the in-house technology to ensure high-quality streaming and seamless connectivity that can unite an audience, no matter where they are.”
Perrett is one of many in the events industry who play a vital role, but often doesn’t get the recognition that he deserves. He says: “People in my position deserve more recognition because the job is heavily demanding in so many ways. Often working under pressure and very much behind the scenes. We handle last-minute changes, while multitasking a multitude of responsibilities and still deliver something that looks and feels effortless to our team and our clients. It’s creative and technical, as well as being physically and mentally demanding work that rarely gets noticed, often unless something goes wrong.”
He adds that he believes that every single person who works in a venue deserves more recognition within the events industry. He says: “Their efforts are so valuable in putting on seamless and successful event for their clients, and as mentioned, the nature of the job is that it is mostly achieved under the radar.”
He also believes that anyone who champions sustainability within the events industry should be recognised for their efforts. He says: “They should be recognised for their efforts in trying to make the event sector, in all areas, a much healthier industry that gives back to the environment we are lucky enough to live in and enjoy.”
