Lori brings with her a wealth of experience from a range of events and project management roles, including not-for-profit organisation Mary’s Meals where she worked for six years as Trusts and Partnerships Manager. As an event planner at MCI, Lori also worked on a number of events at the SEC, bringing with her a fully rounded picture of the venue and its market.

“We’re delighted to be expanding our association team, as we continue our focus on using our knowledge and expertise to deliver high-quality events to the association market. Lori is a strong addition to the team and brings more than 10 years of events experience that spans charities, not-for-profit organisations and agencies,” said Kathleen Warden, Director of Conference Sales, SEC.

Lori added, “As a planner I had the great pleasure of working with the SEC and have always been a big fan of the venue. The team has always impressed me and it’s so nice to have come full circle and to now be working at this world class venue.”

Among this year’s national association events taking place at the SEC will be the British Society for Haematology, British Society of Gastroenterology, and British Association of Dermatologists.

The agency joins a growing number of event companies both achieving and striving for the certification. Its achievement also underlines the diversity of businesses, from every sector of the event, exhibition, and experience industry, contributing to sustainable business.

As part of the process, limeblue has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, having met the very highest standards of social and environmental standards, including Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers, and by providing evidence of socially and environmentally responsible practices relating to energy supplies, waste and water use, worker compensation, diversity and corporate transparency.

Kim Scillitoe, Managing Director, limeblue, commented, “This is all about values. We’ve always been a business that values sustainability and doing the right thing for and by our customers. The event industry is making progress on its approach to ESG, and we can pack that in at design and concept stage. We can have a real impact, and we take that seriously. It’s why we’re delighted to receive B Corp certification.”

Chris Turner, Executive Director of B Lab UK, commented “We are delighted to welcome limeblue to the B Corp community. This is a movement of companies who are committed to changing how business operates and believe business really can be a force for good. We know that limeblue are going to be a fantastic addition to the community and will continue driving the conversation forward”. 

Senior recruitment specialist Robert Kenward shares his latest insights into the shifting recruitment landscape, based on conversations with agency owners, hiring managers and senior industry leaders across the events and experiential sectors. As economic uncertainty looms and hiring confidence wavers, Robert’s first-quarter analysis highlights growing tensions between employers and job seekers, the pitfalls of DIY recruitment, and the inevitability of change in how we work.

Here are the key trends from Q1 2025, along with Robert’s forecasts for the rest of the year.

Q1 Trends

Trend 1: Employers Are Pushing Back
After several years of feeling they have agreed to candidate-led concessions – such as remote working and pay increases – employers are starting to say, enough. With a tightening job market, rising National Insurance contributions, and global economic pressure (particularly from the US), many companies are feeling pushed into a corner, and they’re pushing back. “I’m seeing agencies telling prospective hires: ‘This is what we need. If it doesn’t suit you, this role isn’t for you.’ It’s a tougher market now,” Kenward explains. “The days of pick-and-mix job offers are fading. Employers are being less flexible and more demanding because they feel like they’ve been subservient for too long. It’s a reset moment and it’s changing the tone of recruitment.”

Trend 2: The Rise (and Risks) of LinkedIn Recruitment
With budgets squeezed, some employers are turning to DIY recruitment via LinkedIn, but the results are often chaotic. “LinkedIn is flooded with inane job posts that lack any strategy,” Kenward says. “If your only social content is the odd International Women’s Day post or a black square for Black History Month, then suddenly a job advert pops up with no salary bracket, no compelling reason to apply, and no sense of brand, you’ll be overwhelmed with irrelevant CVs.”

A well-planned social recruitment strategy can be powerful, but Kenward warns that most employers don’t invest in the basics. “It’s not just about posting a job; it’s about understanding your audience, having a clear employer proposition, and actually knowing how to write an advert. Right now, too many companies are just throwing it out there and winging it.”

Trend 3: Working patterns will change
While many employers are holding firm on employee expectations, beneath the surface there’s growing momentum for a sizable structural change in the way we work. “The conversation is no longer if things will change; it’s what that change will look like,” Kenward observes. “The four-day week is still in the mix, but we’re also hearing more about the six-hour day which I think will be the future of work. Either way, we’re reducing the time we expect people to be ‘on’ as we focus more on output. Employers that cling to rigid schedules will be left behind because this isn’t a passing trend, it’s a shift in social behaviour and mindset.”

Forecasts for 2025

2025 is already seeing some important shifts in attitudes and delivery for our industry:

Rethinking the Rules in 2025

2025 is shaping up to be the year that challenges everything we thought we knew about work. “It’s not just about how we hire, where we work, or even who’s leading the charge—it’s about completely rethinking the rules,” says Kenward. “Flexibility isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundation of smarter, more effective business practices. If you’re only shouting about flexibility as your USP, you’re clinging to old models and you’ll find yourself left behind by competitors who are quicker to adapt to the shifting landscape.”

The UK Employment Bill Will Be Watered Down but still has teeth
While the government’s proposed Employment Bill has sparked plenty of conversation, especially around NI increases, improved worker protections and flexible working rights. Kenward believes we’re unlikely to see the legislation land in its current form. “There’s no political appetite to implement the bill in full,” he says. “What we’ll get is a watered-down version, delayed implementation, and lots of vague commitments that look good on paper. Employers should stay alert, but don’t expect a seismic shift in 2025, however be aware that gut feel and ‘give ‘em a go’ recruitment will land you in hot water.”

It’s Not About Where You Work, It’s About When

Flexibility’25 will be less about location and more about time. The pandemic made hybrid, flexible and remote work the norm, but the next step is rethinking when we work. Weekend schedules, staggered hours, and project-based timeframes are becoming key to productivity. “The traditional Monday to Friday, 9-to-5 doesn’t fit everyone, and clinging to it alienates talented people who work better in alternative patterns,” says Kenward. “If a team member wants to knock out a project on a Saturday morning and take Monday off, why not? It’s about output, not clock-watching. Businesses that embrace this shift won’t just see happier employees—they’ll see better results.”

Senior Leaders Are Back in the Office

Senior leaders are spearheading the great return to the office. “After years of remote work, many MDs and C-suite execs want to be where the action is – three, four, or even five days a week. They’re craving the buzz, the collaboration, and let’s face it, the pub on a Friday, social aspect,” comments Kenward. “After years of makeshift home setups, glitchy Zoom calls, and the isolation of remote work, many MDs and C-suite execs are eager to dive back into the heart of their businesses. For them, it’s not just about working – it’s about reconnecting with the buzz of the workplace. They want to lead from the front and to set the tone for their teams.”

Clinging to the Office Obsession? Say Goodbye to your Team

But even if your leaders want to be in the office, if you’re demanding your team be there more than three days a week, brace yourself – you’ll likely be waving goodbye to most of them within 18 months. “Insist on four or five days in the office, and you’re just accelerating the exodus, says Kenward. “The talent pool is drying up for businesses stuck in the “bums-on-seats” mindset. Employees have had a taste of flexibility, and they’re not going back. Keep clinging to the office-first approach, and the only people left in your workforce will be those too disengaged to care, or worse, those just waiting for a better offer.”

Collaborations and Acquisitions, Not Mergers

In 2025, acquisitions will dominate. The idea of a “merger of equals” is dead; now it’s all about buying success. “Being acquired is no longer a mark of failure; it’s a badge of honour. Smaller companies doing well are becoming hot targets for bigger players, and that’s reshaping the landscape,” says Kenward. At the same time, smaller agencies are banding together to fend off the big guns. “Think partnerships, collaborations, and communities working as one,” states Kenward. “It’s survival of the smartest, not the biggest. These shoal-like strategies, where smaller entities band together to out-manoeuvre the ‘sharks,’ will be increasingly common.”

For more insights from Robert Kenward, subscribe to his Recruitment Report, where he shares no-nonsense updates, industry trends, and advice for employers and candidates navigating the changing world of recruitment.

Remote = never in the office

Hybrid = Fixed set number of days WFH/office

Flexible = Set number of days WFH/office fluid

The next quarterly recruitment report will be published in July 2025.

Held in 30 Euston Square’s dynamic Training Centre, the event featured a unique networking format. Attendees moved through three distinct circuits of individual training rooms, engaging in productive, fast-paced conversations with key industry representatives. This format provided the perfect setting for building valuable relationships and uncovering new business opportunities.

Key features

30 Euston Square, with its blend of modern facilities and historic charm, was the ideal venue for the event. The venue offers versatile spaces, including a 300-seat auditorium, contemporary and heritage meeting rooms, private dining areas, and two stately rooms with an adjacent rooftop terrace. These spaces provided a stylish backdrop for networking and collaboration.

Food at the event was provided by Searcys, known for its exceptional catering and commitment to sustainability. Searcys follows sustainability initiatives by sourcing fresh, locally grown ingredients, ensuring that their menu options are both delicious and environmentally responsible.

Attendees enjoyed a networking lunch in the elegant Princes Gate Room and 1st Floor Bridge, where the setting perfectly complemented the high-quality food and added to the overall luxury experience.

Outcomes

The 20/20 Club event at 30 Euston Square reinforced the venue’s reputation as one of London’s premier event spaces. It offered a platform for industry professionals to connect, learn, and discover new trends, all within a beautiful, flexible environment that sets the standard for high-end corporate and private events.

· Kru grows its impact, powered by new partnership

· Brand Partnership Group becomes a key client, adding major projects

Kru Live, the globally recognised and award-winning live engagement agency, is proud to announce its acquisition by Brand Partnership Group, a leading network of agencies and partners dedicated to driving brand innovation and long-term growth through strategic partnerships.

This milestone marks the next phase in Kru Live’s remarkable twenty-year journey from a small start-up in Southampton to a global leader in brand experience staffing. Founder Tom Eatenton, who launched the agency in 2005, will exit the business as part of the transition.

Sarah-Jane Benham, CEO of Kru Live Global, will continue in her leadership role and will play a key role in the group’s ambitious growth plans.

Kru Live is a market-leading agency that delivers premium staffing, entertainment and live event implementation services for global brands including Renault, PlayStation, Google, Revolut and Heineken.

“This is a defining moment for Kru Live,” said Sarah-Jane Benham, CEO of Kru Live Global. “From our humble beginnings to where we are today, I couldn’t be more proud of our team and the legacy we’ve built. Joining the Brand Partnership Group allows us to stay true to who we are while unlocking new opportunities, resources and scale that will accelerate our growth and enhance the value we bring to our clients and staff worldwide. We will continue to operate under our existing brand and structure, staying true to the Kru Live culture our clients and crew know and love.”

The Brand Partnership Group is best known as the group behind Blue Square, an award-winning retail marketing and outsourced field sales solution working with leading brands such as Samsung, HP, Shark Ninja, and EE. The Group is a dynamic network focused on helping brands navigate change through partnerships rooted in consumer insight, digital transformation and scalable innovation.

“We’ve long admired Kru Live for their excellent reputation, premium service and passion they bring to every campaign,” said Andrew Leaver, CEO of Brand Partnership Group. “They represent the best in experiential staffing and brand engagement and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the group. Together, we are even better positioned to help brands connect with audiences in meaningful and measurable ways.”

With this acquisition, Kru Live is poised to expand its global footprint, deepen client relationships and offer even greater opportunities for its team and network, while continuing to deliver the world-class service and culture it is known for.

Birmingham has won the bid to host the 18^th edition of the European Robotics Forum (ERF) in 2027.

The conference is the most influential meeting of the robotics community in Europe, with more than 1,500 international engineers, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs and policy makers expected to attend.

The ICC Birmingham – part of the NEC Group – will host the event from 1-5 March 2027, with industry tours on the final day at some of the region’s most successful, internationally-recognised companies.

The Forum is estimated to be worth £1.55m for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands’ visitor economy, with the city beating European destinations including Belgrade, Brussels, Tallinn and Zurich for the right to host the event.

The Birmingham bid was won by leading ambassadors in the region from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry and the University of Birmingham, with the support of the Birmingham and West Midlands Convention Bureau, part of the West Midlands Growth Company, and the ICC Birmingham. The bid attracted more than 50 letters of support, including from the Minister of State for Science, Research and Innovation Lord Patrick Vallance, Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Cllr Sharon Thompson, Deputy Leader at Birmingham City Council, said:

“We are thrilled that Birmingham has been selected to host the European Robotics Forum 2027 – a true recognition of our region’s world-class innovation, research and industrial strength.

“Welcoming over 1,500 global leaders in robotics is not only a huge boost for our visitor economy, but also a fantastic opportunity to showcase the West Midlands as a powerhouse for advanced manufacturing and cutting-edge technology.”

Karol Janik, ERF2027 General Chair and Robotics & Automation Technology Manager at MTC, added:

“I’m honoured that we’ve been selected to host the European Robotics Forum 2027.

“This is a testament to the strength of robotics innovation not just at the MTC and in the West Midlands, but across the UK. ERF 2027 will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the UK’s thriving robotics community on a global stage. I’m incredibly proud to have led a strong team from MTC, the University of Birmingham, and the Birmingham and West Midlands Convention Bureau in securing this bid.”

The event started in San Sebastián, Spain in 2010, and was established by the euRobotics association. Recent editions have taken place in Odense, Denmark (2023), Rimini, Italy (2024) and Stuttgart, Germany (2025). It has grown into a major annual forum, with the aim to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in the field of robotics.

Professor Samia Nefti-Meziani OBE, Chair in Robotics and AI and Director of the Birmingham Robotics Institute at University of Birmingham, said:

“We are thrilled to announce that Birmingham will host the 2027 European Robotics Forum, for the very first time in England.

“This very prestigious event is set to foster collaboration, innovation, and growth, providing innovators in the robotics field – both within the region, across the UK, and internationally – with an incredible opportunity to exchange ideas, showcase advancements, and drive forward the future of robotics.

“Birmingham’s selection highlights the city’s growing significance as global Hub in research and technology in Robotics and AI powering smart machines and systems for Circular and Sustainable Manufacturing and Materials, Healthcare, and Infrastructure renewal. We’re excited about the profound impact ERF2027 will have.”

Andy Gibb, Managing Director of Conventions at the NEC Group, said:

“The ICC Birmingham is the perfect location to host this event, offering world-class facilities and a central location that is easily accessible for international visitors. With our years of experience in delivering successful events, we are confident in our ability to provide an exceptional experience for all attendees.”

For over two centuries the West Midlands has been a global hub of invention and innovation. The region has officially the UK’s fastest growing tech sector, and, coupled with its industrial heritage, is a natural home for innovations in robotics.

For more information about the West Midlands’ business events offer for organisers and delegates, visit meetbirmingham.com.

While the demand for corporate events remains strong, event organisers are navigating a landscape of rising operational costs, putting a squeeze on profitability. Simultaneously, clients are demanding tighter turnaround times for event planning and execution, creating additional pressures.

Butlin’s new Corporate Day Business Packages offer an ideal solution to these challenges.

Ervina Kiezaite, National Sales Manager says, “At Butlin’s, we’ve spent 85 years mastering how to bring people together for moments that matter. When local businesses told us they wanted day packages that felt special without the eye-watering price tag, we didn’t just think ‘meeting rooms’ – we thought BIG. Why not give them the Butlin’s treatment?

That means access to our iconic seaside venues, fuss-free tech setups, and even the option to add a dash of proper fun – like team-building on our fairground rides; brainstorming sessions with a side of fish and chips or brand-new indoor activity centre, PLAYXPERIENCE, in Bognor. It’s business, Butlin’s-style: where productivity gets a helter-skelter twist, and every event feels like a breath of fresh (sea) air. And because we’re properly rooted in our communities, we’ve made sure these packages partner with local suppliers too. After all, that’s the Butlin’s way – doing good business while making sure everyone leaves with a grin!”

In an era where return on both time and investment is paramount, Butlin’s all-in-one offering provides unparalleled engagement opportunities. Businesses can benefit from integrated facilities, including versatile event spaces, dining, and accommodation, all within one convenient location. This streamlined approach saves valuable planning time and ensures a cohesive and engaging experience for delegates.

Butlin’s event spaces come equipped with state-of-the-art AV equipment, removing the need for sourcing additional suppliers. The resorts also feature several restaurants and bespoke corporate catering options, including private hire, DineAround and experiential street food set ups–providing diverse ways to maximise attendee engagement through mealtimes.

And of course, Butlin’s lives up to its reputation as the Home of Entertainment, and corporate groups can add access to the famous Fairground at all three resorts and the brand new PLAYXPERIENCE activity centre in Bognor.

Butlin’s Corporate Day Packages allow the dedicated event teams on site at each resort to deliver an event in as little as 3-weeks from contracting, uniquely positioning Butlin’s to accommodate clients requiring rapid event solutions without compromising on quality or impact. Another key element is scalability–Butlin’s can cater to a wide range of event sizes, accommodating groups up to 1500 delegates.

With the launch of these new packages, Butlin’s Conferences & Events reaffirms its commitment to providing innovative and value-driven solutions for the corporate events market, directly addressing the evolving needs of agencies and corporates.

This unveiling marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the hotel and the Thistle brand, which has undergone a transformation. As part of a rebrand, a select collection of Thistle hotels will now be known as ‘by Thistle’, reflecting a newly reimagined vision and an elevated offering that champions distinct, location-led experiences designed with today’s discerning traveller in mind.

Each ‘by Thistle’ hotel is a distinct destination, proudly shaped by its iconic surroundings. The Marble Arch Hotel is the first property to launch in the collection, highlighting its prime location in one of London’s most iconic districts—Oxford Street, Europe’s busiest shopping street.

The marble floor, which is believed to have been installed when the building first became a hotel under the name The Mount Royal Hotel, is Italian Carrara marble, used in some of the world’s most remarkable structures dating back to the Roman era. This unanticipated find is particularly special given the hotel’s proximity to Marble Arch, the famous landmark just steps away, which itself is clad in Ravaccione marble—a unique grey and white variety of Carrara marble.

When the Arch was constructed, it was the first time marble was used in this way on any British building, marking an important moment in architectural history. Now, The Marble Arch Hotel’s newly reinstated Italian marble reception serves as a beautiful homage to this legacy, connecting the hotel’s rich past with the vibrant pulse of London today.

“How wonderful to restore something so historic to its former glory!” said Tony Hill, the hotel’s general manager. “Having the original marble floors welcoming guests again, just as they did when the hotel first opened in the 60s, is truly magical. The new rebrand, along with this historical feature, enhances the guest experience, creating a lasting impression from the moment they walk in. Our new approach to guest experiences—anchored by a modern, personalised welcome—makes this an exciting time for us. We’re not just offering a place to stay; we’re providing an experience where history, convenience and a friendly face meet seamlessly.”

As part of the ongoing evolution of the brand, the ‘by Thistle’ collection will continue to focus on championing location-centric experiences and personalised services. A prime example is the tailored concierge service, which enables guests to create unique itineraries based on their needs and interests, ensuring every stay feels custom-crafted.

At its core, Thistle’s commitment to comfort, convenience, and great value remains at the forefront of every guest experience. The rebrand of The Marble Arch by Thistle will enhance this modern evolution while also preserving the timeless elements that make the hotel so special.

• The UK events industry produces a huge amount of waste annually – over 100,000 tonnes of waste per year which mostly ends up in landfill or being incinerated.
• TerraCycle’s new solution for the events industry, EventCycle, provides all events organisers whether for tradeshows, conferences, fundraising galas, concerts, or weddings for example, a convenient and simple to implement solution to recycle their hard-to-recycle waste and divert it from landfill or incineration.

International recycling leader TerraCycle®, launches EventCycle eventcycle.co.uk, a recycling solution to help all event organisers create more sustainable events and reduce the amount of waste which is sent to landfill and incineration, by providing a convenient and simple to implement solution to recycle many of the hard-to-recycle types of waste they generate large volumes of. 

Every conference, marathon, concert, tradeshow, or wedding produces hard-to-recycle waste that ends up in landfills. According to a study from Ecobooth*, it is estimated that the UK events industry creates over 100,000 tonnes of waste per year which mostly ends up in landfill or being incinerated. TerraCycle is fighting against this by offering a simple solution to help the event industry become more environmentally friendly and reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill or incineration. This is how EventCycle was developed and launched.

EventCycle offers a wide variety of different Zero Waste Boxes to suit every event and to collect different waste streams from snack wrappers and other food packaging, to name tags, lanyards, party supplies, race bibs, and more. Each box is available in 3 different sizes, ranging from small, to medium and large.

You can find more information and the wide range of boxes available at the following link eventcycle.co.uk.

Julien Tremblin, General Manager, TerraCycle Europe, commented: “We are delighted to launch EventCycle in the UK, as the amount of waste produced by the event industry is substantial. When developing EventCycle, we took into consideration all different types of events – whether you are planning your wedding, organising a marathon, a tradeshow, a corporate away day, amongst many others – we want to provide a solution to suit all needs and waste streams. We encourage all event organisers to explore our offerings and to help make the event industry more sustainable.”

Emily Jaundoo, Expo Manager & Operations at AMI, a leading organiser of international events gives an insight into what event organisers can now benefit from following the launch of EventCycle: “AMI uses TerraCycle’s Name Tags and Lanyards Zero Waste Box as it ensures that event materials, which might otherwise contribute to landfill waste, are responsibly recycled and repurposed, reinforcing our dedication to driving positive change within our industry. Attendees to our events such as the Textiles Recycling Expo in Brussels, Belgium from 4-5 June and the Polymer Engineering for Energy conference in London in December, will be able to use the box and help to reduce the amount of waste generated. This initiative aligns perfectly with AMI’s commitment to reducing waste and advancing the circular economy, while also reflecting our core values of sustainability, responsibility, and innovation. You can register for your free tickets to attend the Textiles Recycling Expo in June and join our efforts in reducing waste.”

How EventCycle works: 

• Order – Event organisers can order EventCycle Zero Waste Boxes which are shipped directly to their location of choice.
• Collect – EventCycle Zero Waste Boxes are placed in designated high-traffic areas at these events to easily collect the various categories of items and packaging.
• Ship – Once full, the event organiser sends the Zero Waste Box(es) back to TerraCycle using the pre-affixed UPS shipping label. 
• Recycle – When TerraCycle receives your Zero Waste Box, the waste is sorted, cleaned and processed into raw materials. Materials such as plastics, metals and rubber are processed and remoulded to make new recycled products like metal sheeting, flooring tiles, shipping pallets, and outdoor furniture. 

To learn more about EventCycle, please visit eventcycle.co.uk. To learn more about how TerraCycle works with major manufacturers and retailers to recycle products and packaging that would normally be thrown away, please visit www.terracycle.com/en-GB. 

Focusing on three waste streams that are traditionally more difficult to recycle – compostables, paper towels and coffee cups – the service guarantees 100% specialist recycling, helping organisers to meet sustainability targets.

Grundon’s Stephen Hill says: “While compostables such as plant-based cutlery and food trays have become increasingly popular – especially since the ban and restrictions on single-use plastics – the opportunities for correct disposal of these items aren’t widely available.

“The same applies to coffee cups and paper towels*, all three of these items need specialist reprocessing and, as a result, they all too often end up in general waste.

“RecyclePlus solves that problem by offering a disposal route for all three products via one simple collection service. Not only can events and festival organisers significantly increase recycling rates, further benefits include reducing the weight of general waste collections and enabling the collection of more detailed waste data, helping to meet waste targets and shape future sustainability programmes.”

Organisers and planners can decide if they want to adopt all three of the different waste streams or choose just one or two elements. Grundon provides colour-coded bins and waste sacks, with clear signage to demonstrate which items go into which section.

Once collected by one of Grundon’s latest fully electric zero emission vehicles, the waste will be sent for onward reprocessing at a number of specialist partners.

Compostables are sent to Envar, where a shredding and blending process produces a peat free high-quality PAS 100 compost; the paper hand towels are returned to Tork, where its innovative Tork PaperCircle^® recycling service ensures used towels are recycled into new tissue products. The cups are transported to James Cropper, one of only two facilities in the UK with the capability to recycle coffee cups, where its CupCycling^TM process turns the waste into paper.

*paper towel collection service only applies to Tork paper towels.