Meet us: Ashley

by Helena Moore, Content Executive and Assistant Producer

We caught up with Ashley Colven, our Senior Event Manager, to get to know her a bit better…

Tell us something not many people know about you?
I was born in the USA before my parents moved back to the UK when I was a few months old. My family and I moved to live in Bahrain when I was ten, a country I had never heard of when my parents broke the news that we were off to live on an island where the summer temperature often exceeds 50 degrees Celsius! I have nothing but incredible memories of my life growing up as an ex-pat and consider myself very lucky that my ‘teens’ mostly consisted of hanging out on my friends’ boats, jet-skiing in the Gulf Sea and getting incredibly excited when it finally did rain, even if it was just a few days every year!

If you didn’t work in Events, what would you be doing?
Probably some form of investigative work – ideally solving crime. I love a mystery or crime drama (fact or fiction!) and my colleagues often comment that I have a knack for finding out information, so guess who gets the research tasks! I wanted to be a Police Officer when I was younger and I studied Criminology at University, so the interest has always been there.

What is your most memorable event experience?
The closing party for a conference in Abu Dhabi, which took place in the desert. Think endless stretches of soft sand dunes, music, dancing, Sheesha and delicious local food. What an atmosphere – it was miles from anywhere but worth the exceptionally long drive!

What personal skills have you developed since working in Events?
Being professional, personable, and patient at all times, including when under extreme pressure – and the ability to function on very limited sleep!

Three essential items to take on-site /on a recce?
Adaptors, chargers, and plasters…for the feet that cover thousands of steps a day!

If you could organise an event anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Thailand for the beautiful beaches, culture, and cuisine. Canada comes in at a very close second for its incredible cities, beautiful lakes and wide range of outdoor activities. I’ve organised events in many destinations around the world and can’t wait to include these in my list.

Favourite things to do outside of work?
There’s little ‘me time’ right now as I have two small children, but I do love to bake cakes (and eat them!), go for long walks, enjoy a cocktail and indulge in the latest crime drama.

During a food tasting, what course on the menu would make you most excited?
All of them! But if I had to choose one, dessert would pip the rest to the post due to my love of baking. I have an incredibly sweet tooth…

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