Marija Erzen - Chair
Co-Owner & Director, Solutions 2
Specialist Areas
- Custom Build
- Sustainability within custom build
- project Management
Marija co-founded design and build company Solutions2 in 2001 and offers an experienced voice for the 45% of ESSA members that are design and build contractors and privately-owned SMEs. A member since the association’s inception, she is a firm believer in the value of trade associations and is passionate about helping to drive industry recovery post Covid-19 alongside the ESSA ‘Use a Member’ campaign.
Rob Brackstone - Vice Chair
Managing Director, ESM Ltd
Specialist Areas
- Custom Design and Build
- Experiential environments and spaces
- Business Management
Established in 1989, Rob has been Managing Director of design and build contractor ESM since 2005 working with agencies, exhibitors and marketing teams globally. ESSA’s support throughout the pandemic highlighted the common plight of members and confirmed Rob’s belief that the industry is significantly undervalued. His ambition is to bring businesses together within ESSA, to listen and learn from each other, share successes, communicate challenges and better explain the value of event suppliers and services to create a stronger future for all.
Alexandra Bailey
Managing Director, Creative8 Ltd
Specialist Areas
- CUSTOM BUILD
- POINT OF SALE
- ConsultanCY
Alexandra co-founded Creative8 over 14 years ago which specialises in exhibition stand design and build. The company prides itself on always offering something special to clients, a value that Alexandra extends to ESSA. Passionate about the industry, ESSA provides the perfect platform for her to communicate the challenges stand contractors face and help guide continual growth and positive change within the industry.
Martin Cairns
Managing Director, Beechwood Events
Specialist Areas
- Floorcoverings
- Sustainability and Recycling
- Build-Up & Break-Down Logistics
Martin has over 30 years of industry experience as a floorcovering contractor and supplier to all sectors within events & exhibitions gaining invaluable insight and understanding of the industry from the perspective of each stakeholder. Having previously sat on the BECA council, served as an ESSA director for the last 12 years and proudly occupied the position of Chair in 2019 – 20, Martin is well placed to represent members views, opinions and challenges and ensure their voice is heard.
Dan Edwards
Managing Director, Skyline Whitespace
Specialist Areas
- Core Services
- Modular/Custom Build Stands
- Event Operations
Dan has worked in the events industry for over 20 years across all aspects - Organiser, Venue and Supplier. At the Whitespace group, he looks to deliver exceptional events for clients across core services, modular, custom build, brand activation and digital. In his role as group operations director, he works with numerous suppliers and is passionate about ESSA’s commitment to providing a voice for suppliers of the events sector. Collaboration, community and best practice are essential, and ESSA provides a superb platform for this to take place.
Andrew Hickinbotham
Head of Sales, Tecna UK
Specialist Areas
- Space-only architecture
- Engagement strategy and experiential
- Business leadership & commercial strategy
Andy has been embedded in the Exhibition & Event sector since 1995. Originally a 3D designer, his experience in a range of sales & creative roles has seen him cross-pollinate ideas from retail, visitor attractions & permanent fit-out. His love of brief-craft, storytelling, content creation and sensory trickery has seen him present within an array of industry masterclass & training arenas.
Andy is a member of various ESSA working groups, including Sustainability, Sales and Future Focus.
Noel Reeves
CEO, Rocket Exhibition Services
Specialist Areas
- Custom Design & Build
- Experiential Brand Activations
- Brand Communications
Noel founded Rocket Exhibition Services in 2009 having previously worked as an Organiser, in event promotion and graphics. With a focus on premium stand design & build, the Rocketeers work with clients across the globe to achieve their F2F Event goals. Noel has a deep passion for live events and helping other people and businesses to thrive is his main motivation in life and work.
John Robson
Managing Director, Aztec Event Services
Specialist Areas:
- Technical production services
- Business management systems
John is the managing director of Aztec Event Services and an ex-Chair of ESSA. Having led Aztec through a management buyout in 2006, his company has become a leading supplier of AV and technical services to the UK events industry. He is well known for his uncompromising attitudes towards quality of service and is on a mission with ESSA to improve standards throughout the industry, especially with regard to sustainability and diversity.
Oliver Smart
Director, Grip
Specialist Areas:
- Digital Systems and Operations
- Engagement and growth
- Business Transformation
Oliver is proactive and accomplished director with proven leadership and management experience within various industries, to include the military. As the Director of Grip, he leverages their agility for the association's benefit, utilising member influence to drive change. Experienced in market engagement, resource restructuring and cultural change, Oliver is dedicated to building a sustainable, future-focused community. Being the youngest board member, Oliver adds diversity and a truly future-focused directorship to the association.
Jason Stead
President, GES - EMEA Exhibitions
Specialist Areas
- Strategy
- Change Management
- Procurement and Supply Chain
Jason has experience across multiple sectors with blue chip businesses (Automotive, Energy, TV, Events) starting his career in Procurement and Supply Chain specialisms before moving into bigger Operations/Client Experience leadership roles, and latterly in C -Suite positions with GES.
Jason is an approachable ESSA board member and always willing to share insights that may help fellow ESSA members. He is a creative pragmatist at heart and enjoys the challenges of strategy definition and deployment. Jason is a huge advocate of sustainability and developing new opportunities for talent within our industry.
Kane Thomas
Commercial Director, Full Circle Events & Events Exhibitions Ltd
Specialist Areas
- Core Services
- Custom Design & Build
- Strategy
With over 10 years’ organiser experience previously as Event Director across a wide range of B2B and B2C shows for small and large organisers, Kane brings a different perspective to the ESSA board. Kane moved to the supplier side in 2022, and with a wide skillset across sales, marketing, strategy and operations, Kane is proud to assist ESSA in achieving its goals and delivering its message to members and the wider industry that we serve.
Katie Whatley
CMO of FFAIR Ltd.
Specialist Areas
- Exhibitions
- Marketing & Communications Strategy
- Event Technology
With a career spanning over two decades in the events industry, Katie Whatley has uniquely experienced life as organiser, supplier and exhibitor. bringing a wealth of real life, end-user experience from the sector. Having supported a number of ESSA members with their marketing strategies and as CMO at FFAIR, Katie understands the priorities and ambitions of event suppliers, technology companies and service suppliers.
Marija Erzen - Chair
Co-Owner & Director, Solutions 2
Specialist Areas
- Custom Build
- Sustainability within custom build
- project Management
Marija co-founded design and build company Solutions2 in 2001 and offers an experienced voice for the 45% of ESSA members that are design and build contractors and privately-owned SMEs. A member since the association’s inception, she is a firm believer in the value of trade associations and is passionate about helping to drive industry recovery post Covid-19 alongside the ESSA ‘Use a Member’ campaign.
Rob Brackstone - Vice Chair
Managing Director, ESM Ltd
Specialist Areas
- Custom Design and Build
- Experiential environments and spaces
- Business Management
Established in 1989, Rob has been Managing Director of design and build contractor ESM since 2005 working with agencies, exhibitors and marketing teams globally. ESSA’s support throughout the pandemic highlighted the common plight of members and confirmed Rob’s belief that the industry is significantly undervalued. His ambition is to bring businesses together within ESSA, to listen and learn from each other, share successes, communicate challenges and better explain the value of event suppliers and services to create a stronger future for all.
Alexandra Bailey
Managing Director, Creative8 Ltd
Specialist Areas
- CUSTOM BUILD
- POINT OF SALE
- ConsultanCY
Alexandra co-founded Creative8 over 14 years ago which specialises in exhibition stand design and build. The company prides itself on always offering something special to clients, a value that Alexandra extends to ESSA. Passionate about the industry, ESSA provides the perfect platform for her to communicate the challenges stand contractors face and help guide continual growth and positive change within the industry.
Martin Cairns
Managing Director, Beechwood Events
Specialist Areas
- Floorcoverings
- Sustainability and Recycling
- Build-Up & Break-Down Logistics
Martin has over 30 years of industry experience as a floorcovering contractor and supplier to all sectors within events & exhibitions gaining invaluable insight and understanding of the industry from the perspective of each stakeholder. Having previously sat on the BECA council, served as an ESSA director for the last 12 years and proudly occupied the position of Chair in 2019 – 20, Martin is well placed to represent members views, opinions and challenges and ensure their voice is heard.
Dan Edwards
Managing Director, Skyline Whitespace
Specialist Areas
- Core Services
- Modular/Custom Build Stands
- Event Operations
Dan has worked in the events industry for over 20 years across all aspects - Organiser, Venue and Supplier. At the Whitespace group, he looks to deliver exceptional events for clients across core services, modular, custom build, brand activation and digital. In his role as group operations director, he works with numerous suppliers and is passionate about ESSA’s commitment to providing a voice for suppliers of the events sector. Collaboration, community and best practice are essential, and ESSA provides a superb platform for this to take place.
Andrew Hickinbotham
Head of Sales, Tecna UK
Specialist Areas
- Space-only architecture
- Engagement strategy and experiential
- Business leadership & commercial strategy
Andy has been embedded in the Exhibition & Event sector since 1995. Originally a 3D designer, his experience in a range of sales & creative roles has seen him cross-pollinate ideas from retail, visitor attractions & permanent fit-out. His love of brief-craft, storytelling, content creation and sensory trickery has seen him present within an array of industry masterclass & training arenas.
Andy is a member of various ESSA working groups, including Sustainability, Sales and Future Focus.
Katie Whatley
CMO of FFAIR Ltd.
Specialist Areas
- Exhibitions
- Marketing & Communications Strategy
- Event Technology
With a career spanning over two decades in the events industry, Katie Whatley has uniquely experienced life as organiser, supplier and exhibitor. bringing a wealth of real life, end-user experience from the sector. Having supported a number of ESSA members with their marketing strategies and as CMO at FFAIR, Katie understands the priorities and ambitions of event suppliers, technology companies and service suppliers.
Noel Reeves
CEO, Rocket Exhibition Services
Specialist Areas
- Custom Design & Build
- Experiential Brand Activations
- Brand Communications
Noel founded Rocket Exhibition Services in 2009 having previously worked as an Organiser, in event promotion and graphics. With a focus on premium stand design & build, the Rocketeers work with clients across the globe to achieve their F2F Event goals. Noel has a deep passion for live events and helping other people and businesses to thrive is his main motivation in life and work.
John Robson
Managing Director, Aztec Event Services
Specialist Areas:
- Technical production services
- Business management systems
John is the managing director of Aztec Event Services and an ex-Chair of ESSA. Having led Aztec through a management buyout in 2006, his company has become a leading supplier of AV and technical services to the UK events industry. He is well known for his uncompromising attitudes towards quality of service and is on a mission with ESSA to improve standards throughout the industry, especially with regard to sustainability and diversity.
Oliver Smart
Managing Director, Jonas Event Technology
Specialist Areas:
- Digital Systems and Operations
- Engagement and growth
- Business Transformation
Oliver is proactive and accomplished director with proven leadership and management experience within various industries, to include the military. As the Managing Director of Jonas Event Technology, he leverages their agility for the association's benefit, utilising member influence to drive change. Experienced in market engagement, resource restructuring and cultural change, Oliver is dedicated to building a sustainable, future-focused community. Being the youngest board member at the age of 26, Oliver adds diversity and a truly future-focused directorship to the association.
Jason Stead
President, GES - EMEA Exhibitions
Specialist Areas
- Strategy
- Change Management
- Procurement and Supply Chain
Jason has experience across multiple sectors with blue chip businesses (Automotive, Energy, TV, Events) starting his career in Procurement and Supply Chain specialisms before moving into bigger Operations/Client Experience leadership roles, and latterly in C -Suite positions with GES.
Jason is an approachable ESSA board member and always willing to share insights that may help fellow ESSA members. He is a creative pragmatist at heart and enjoys the challenges of strategy definition and deployment. Jason is a huge advocate of sustainability and developing new opportunities for talent within our industry.
Kane Thomas
Commercial Director, Full Circle Events & Events Exhibitions Ltd
Specialist Areas
- Core Services
- Custom Design & Build
- Strategy
With over 10 years’ organiser experience previously as Event Director across a wide range of B2B and B2C shows for small and large organisers, Kane brings a different perspective to the ESSA board. Kane moved to the supplier side in 2022, and with a wide skillset across sales, marketing, strategy and operations, Kane is proud to assist ESSA in achieving its goals and delivering its message to members and the wider industry that we serve.
