Gaye
Finance & Office Manager
About Gaye
Gaye is our Finance & Office Manager. She oversees our financial processes and day‑to‑day office operations, managing everything from client invoicing and contracts to supplier payments and credit card administration.
She’s passionate about great customer service, design and technology, and brings this same care and attention to payroll, HMRC compliance, insurance, vehicle management and IT across the business.
How long have you worked in the events industry?
16 years in total – eight years with Exhibit Interactive and eight years with another agency. What makes my perspective different is that I was on the other side of the fence as a client before I joined the industry.
Having been the person commissioning exhibition stands gives me a unique understanding of what clients really need and the frustrations they face. It means I can spot potential problems before they become issues and make sure our service delivery exceeds expectations.
What did you do before EI?
I spent 18 years in the floor coverings industry, originally in sales and latterly as marketing manager for the UK division of a large plc. for the UK division of a large plc. I covered multiple market sectors, including textile and hard floor coverings for the commercial and residential markets.
My role involved all aspects of marketing, including events and exhibitions. It was a brilliant experience! Therefore, I understand the exhibition industry from both sides.
What does your day-to-day role entail?
It’s a mixed role covering finance and office management.
There’s the business side, all the back‑office processes that keep things compliant and running smoothly, covering everything from invoicing and payroll to supplier payments, insurance and IT.
But I also stay closely connected to our clients, supporting contracts, queries and the financial side of ongoing projects.
What skills do you bring to your role?
Experience is probably my biggest asset after all these years. I’ve developed real tenacity when it comes to problem-solving and project management. Nothing phases me anymore. Attention to detail is crucial in this role, along with being thorough in everything I do.
I pride myself on honesty, both with our team and our clients. Sometimes you need someone who’ll tell you straight if something isn’t working or could be done better.
What do you specialise in?
In my current role, it’s really about keeping all the cogs running smoothly, particularly the bookkeeping side of the business. I make sure everything happens when it should, budgets are managed properly, and nothing falls through the cracks.
It might not sound glamorous, but it’s absolutely essential for delivering projects successfully and keeping our clients happy.
Which bits of the job do you enjoy the most?
Watching a stand come to life from the initial sketch all the way through to the live event. There’s something deeply satisfying about seeing weeks of planning and hard work result in something spectacular that achieves the client’s objectives.
On the business side, and tongue in cheek, the highlight has to be payday. Payroll is the one job I get thanked the most for.
Who are some of the clients you’ve worked with?
I’ve worked with some fantastic brands over the years, including Crucial Trading, Rockwool, VitrA, Airflow, Doncaster Deaf Trust and ABB. Each brings different challenges and opportunities, from small specialist shows to major international exhibitions.
The variety keeps things interesting and means I’m always learning something new about different industries and their specific requirements.
Do you have a favourite project, stand or show?
Without doubt, it’s Crucial Trading. It takes me right back to my flooring industry days, which feels like coming full circle. We formed a fabulous working relationship with the client, who became a genuine friend. She knew her market inside out, was extremely professional and organised, and was always looking for innovative ways to engage with exhibition visitors and create memorable experiences. Working with her was never a chore. Always an absolute pleasure.
What are some of the places you’ve visited with clients over the years?
Over my career, the highlights have to be yacht racing on the Solent with clients, or taking a client to see the Colosseum in Rome. Exhibition halls all over the world tend to blur together after a while. They are really long days and make your feet ache.
The most impressive expo I’ve experienced was the Paris Air Show. The variation in exhibitors is immense, from tiny postage stamp stands to massive dual-floor hospitality chalets. Though I think some of the smaller, more niche shows can actually be more productive with their targeted audiences.
What’s your pet hate about the events industry?
Waste drives me absolutely mad. But I’m equally frustrated by clients who do no pre-show or post-show marketing. Everyone should be driving interest and traffic to their stand beforehand, capturing visitor data and following up afterwards.
It’s unbelievable how many exhibitors completely miss these opportunities. And don’t get me started on health and safety. It’s crucial and there’s loads of it during build-up, but virtually none during de-rig, when it can be genuinely dangerous.
What do you do to solve it?
The solution is to the waste issue is simple, either reuse materials or invest in a modular stand. On health and safety, it’s about working with an experienced events partner like us, who knows the issues and designs stands with both ease of installation and safety in mind .
Finally, what do you like to do away from work?
I enjoy travelling, socialising and watching my son play rugby.
