18 March 2026
How did you get started in the events industry?
I came into the events industry from healthcare waste management in the NHS. It’s a sector where there’s no room for error, so you learn very quickly how important the basics are. That experience translated surprisingly well into events, where the environment is fast paced but the fundamentals still make all the difference.
What attracted you to your particular role?
Excel operates at a scale where waste management really matters, but what stood out was their ambition to improve. The chance to be the first dedicated waste manager and build a structured, long-term approach from the start was a rare opportunity, and one I was keen to take on.
What’s been your proudest moment so far?
Seeing the success of Excel’s Waste Ambassador Programme. We piloted this in late 2024 to directly address waste during the build and breakdown of events. We have seen fantastic results in reducing total waste and improvement in recycling rates and will be expanding it into more events over 2026 and beyond.
What does a typical day look like for you on-site?
Like most people in events, no two days are the same. I usually start by reviewing the previous day’s waste data — what was collected, how it impacts overall tonnage and recycling rates, and whether our planned collections need adjusting. At Excel, waste collections are scheduled up to three months in advance, so understanding that data early is essential.
I then spend time walking the event floor to see how waste is building up and how best to manage it, as every event requires a slightly different approach. I also work alongside the Waste Ambassadors during build and breakdown to support good waste practices on-site. The day typically ends back at the desk, planning waste strategies for upcoming events. I’m lucky to share an office with the cleaning team who are great fun to be around, so while the work is fast paced, there’s always a good team atmosphere.
What’s something most people don’t realise about your job?
People are often surprised by how weird and wonderful some of the items we deal with can be — everything from a ten-foot polystyrene mountain to furniture originally built for the set of Teletubbies, not to mention countless cosplay swords and props. But it’s also important to remember that many of these items are still perfectly usable, and if they are, we can often arrange for them to be donated to one of our charity partners rather than disposed of.
What’s the toughest challenge you’ve faced during an event?
One of the toughest challenges is managing logistics when things don’t run exactly to plan. Collection vehicles can be delayed for reasons outside our control, and in a live events environment timing is critical. That’s why we build in contingency at every stage, so even when issues arise, waste management never becomes the reason an event is delayed.
How has your work changed over the years - especially post-pandemic?
The role has become far more strategic over the past few years, particularly post-pandemic. The waste industry is rightly highly regulated, and recent legislative changes have fundamentally altered how organisations manage their waste. That means staying constantly up to date and adapting systems quickly — not just to remain compliant, but to demonstrate best practice. In events, where scrutiny and expectations have increased, waste management now plays a much more visible and proactive role.
How do you measure success in your role?
Ultimately, the aim of good waste management is to design waste out of the system altogether. For me, success is measured by how well circular solutions are being adopted — fewer materials being disposed of, higher-quality recycling, and better reuse outcomes. When systems work well and people instinctively make the right choices, waste becomes something that’s actively reduced rather than constantly managed.
What would make your job easier or more visible within the industry?
My job becomes much easier — and far more effective — when people really think about what happens to materials once they’re disposed of. Waste doesn’t just disappear, and having a clear plan for reuse and waste minimisation from the outset makes a huge difference. When waste is considered early in event planning, it not only delivers better environmental outcomes but also saves money, and that’s when the value of good waste management becomes much more visible.
What’s one event you’ll never forget working on and why?
Being a bit of a newcomer to the industry, my mind is blown every week by what can be achieved by events. But I have to say, working at MCM Comic Con for the first time was special for me having attended (in costume) multiple times!
Why do you think your role is so vital to the success of an event?
Unmanaged waste can quickly become an operational problem, not just an environmental one. If waste isn’t managed effectively, it can build up very quickly during build or breakdown, creating obstructions and restricting access for contractors and vehicles. timelines are often tight and multiple teams are working simultaneously, that kind of congestion can slow progress and, in some cases, delay the overall schedule. Effective waste management isn’t just about sustainability — it’s fundamental to keeping an event running safely and on time.
How does your role help bring everything together behind the scenes?
When waste is managed well, it’s completely invisible front of house. Visitors shouldn’t be thinking about bins, collections or back-of-house logistics — they should be focused on the event itself.
The real work happens behind the scenes, where it’s critical to keep service corridors, loading bays and build areas clear, safe and under control. If those spaces become congested with unmanaged waste, it can slow contractors down, create health and safety risks, and ultimately impact the wider operation. Effective waste management underpins the smooth delivery of an event, even if most people never see it
If your job didn’t exist, what do you think organisers or attendees would miss most?
Without a dedicated waste role, organisers would lose valuable insight into what their events are generating. We’re increasingly able to provide clear data on waste volumes and recycling performance, which helps set realistic environmental targets and identify where improvements are needed. That visibility also highlights where contractors may not be managing waste properly, allowing issues to be addressed early rather than becoming embedded problems
Why do you think people in your position deserve more recognition in the industry?
Waste management in events is often seen as a background function, but it’s operating in an environment of increasing legislative pressure and rising costs. Navigating compliance, controlling expenditure and maintaining operational flow requires expertise. As sustainability expectations grow, the role deserves recognition as a core part of event delivery, not just a support service.
Who do you think deserves more recognition in the events world?
Our cleaning teams deserve far more recognition in the events industry. They’re essential at every stage of an event, yet they often only come into focus when something goes wrong. Working alongside them every day has shown me the level of dedication, skill and pride they bring to keeping event spaces safe, clean and ready for the next phase of delivery
If your job had a tagline, what would it be?
What's it made of? How much is there?
Coffee or tea before a show opens?
Black coffee, extra shot (In a reusable cup of course!)
Favourite venue or city to work in?
There is no better place to be than London
One piece of kit you can’t live without?
Comfortable shoes!
Pre-show ritual or superstition?
A good night’s sleep.
