Meet the Team

Meet The Team - Amethyst is a small team with big ideas.

 

At Amethyst we have over 50 years combined experience of delivering highly successful meetings and events across a range of industries and in many countries around the world.

Our friendly team is talented, dedicated and passionate about event management. We work hard to achieve event goals, staying cool, calm and collected in all situations. Over the years we have developed superb customer relationships, which means our clients return to us time and again remaining as loyal to us as we are to them.

We hope you enjoying finding out a little more about us…

 

Lorraine Hawes - Founder & Managing Director

Lorraine Hawes - Founder & Managing Director

As the Managing Director of Amethyst, Lorraine is responsible for the leadership, vision and strategic direction of the business. Not only has she grown the business, but she has put together an incredibly talented team of experienced Project Managers.

Originally with an administrative / operational background, Lorraine brings over 20 years’ corporate event experience to every event she delivers and loves the thrill of developing and producing successful events. She thrives on coming up with effective solutions to overcome unexpected challenges.

Outside of work, Lorraine loves to dance, particularly tap and ballroom, and enjoys cycling, walking her dogs and spending time with family and friends.

The most unusual thing she has ever done is driving a Ferrari at 130mph around a Formula 1 track in Barcelona!

Jackie Ventress - Project Manager

Jackie Ventress - Project Manager

Jackie is an experienced project manager responsible for developing and delivering events to a high standard. Jackie works tirelessly to ensure every element of events are the best for the client, from venue finding, delegate management, travel, supplier liaison, etc.

She is often seen working on-site, setting everything up for all the functions, looking after the attendees, working closely with the venue and ensuring that everything goes to plan.

She joined Amethyst in 2014 and has worked in events since 2004. Prior to that, she worked as an Office Manager which gave her a good skillset for all the planning and multi-tasking skills needed for the events industry.

Outside of work, Jackie enjoys walking the dog and enjoying the great outdoors (usually combined with a lovely lunch or a cream tea!) kayaking and paddle boarding.

Claire White - Project Manager

Claire White - Project Manager

Claire has over 11 years working in the events industry where she has run a variety of meetings from small, local pharmaceutical meetings to large pan-European pharmaceutical congresses, to overseas incentive trips for national and international companies.

She joined Amethyst in 2017. One day she could be venue searching and organising group activities and gala dinners. The next day she could be managing registrations for a congress. The added bonus is going on-site to meet the clients and putting faces to the names.

She came to the events industry by chance after taking a maternity cover role and loved it so much that she stayed!

Outside of work, Claire takes an active interest in a local charity and often finds herself baking cakes for them, sadly not to ‘Bake Off’ standard but they do seem to go down rather well!

Anna Wright - Finance Manager

Anna Wright - Finance Manager

Responsible for all aspects of book-keeping, including sales and purchase ledgers, invoicing, and all things credit control

Anna joined Amethyst in 2017. Anna’s background was secretarial but having taken her AAT exams and with her fondness for numbers, decided to move into more of a book-keeping role. She really enjoys bookkeeping because ‘it’s a methodical process and you can see the results when everything balances.’

Anna also enjoys hearing all the positive feedback from happy clients and feels privileged to be a part of such a successful team.

When Anna is not working, she loves to crochet and knit, and enjoys spending time with friends and family and walking her adorable working cocker spaniel.