Our Team

KIERON O'SHEA - A TRIBUTE

Always in our thoughts

Our dearest friend and one of the original founders of Rockitfish passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on 7th September 2022. This devastating news came as a complete shock to everyone around him as life and work had been riding high.

Kieron loved working with people and enjoyed finding creative solutions to business communication and event challenges. He enjoyed writing and many marketing communications came from Kieron's creative instincts. He had a positive, fun outlook and this shone through his work and desire to try new experiences both inside and outside of the business. Kieron completely represented the Rockitfish values of smart, passionate and adventurous and had the philosophy of "Experience is Everything."

Kieron formed many long-lasting friendships within the event industry and worked with many of the Rockitfish team for over 20 years. Always thinking about the future and not dwelling on too many of the knocks was part of his character.

We remember Kieron as a fantastic friend, great company, a good talker and listener, fond of people and wanting to make the most of life's opportunities. He was a great events and business professional, with a massive driving force for Rockitfish and is deeply missed. Kieron lives on in Rockitfish and in what we do.

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SARAH MCLAUGHLIN

Account Director

A dedicated events professional who started as a sales exec over 20 years ago and ended up as Portfolio Director of the UK's largest Trade exhibition. With a wealth of exhibition, event and account management experience Sarah is a natural communicator with a superb work ethic. Now a Mummy of three which she loves but a challenge, Sarah is excited to be back in the events world with Rockitfish.
Outside of work, she is a gym fanatic and loves socialising, dancing, and having an occasional glass of wine. Her husband dragged her kicking and screaming from London, but she has since seen the light and loves country walks and a rural backdrop!

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JESSICA ARCHIBALD

Project Manager

After completing her degree in Events Management, Jessica dived straight into the wedding industry working with hundreds of brides and grooms to help create their special day! With extensive knowledge of the venues she worked in, Jess wanted to expand her horizons and work on the agency side of the industry. She continues to broaden her experience of the events industry through delivering high quality corporate conferences, celebrations and away days.

When she isn't at work, you can find Jessica with her head in a book or with her running trainers on training for the next running race she has signed up for.

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CATHERINE PITCHER

Project Manager

With over 13 years' experience working in the hospitality industry, Catherine has seen it all when it comes to planning and managing events. Starting her career in restaurant management and eventually planning everything from A Midsummer Night's Dream themed parties to celebrity weddings at the Globe in London, she has worked on every type of event. Fluent in French and a keen musician, Catherine spent her youth playing in orchestras and with her sisters, a veritable Von Trapp family situation! Now a mum to two little ones, Catherine has newfound knowledge of the best playgrounds in Hertford and loves spending time with her family and friends on the weekend.

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LIBBY DYMOCK

Project Executive

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CHLOE ZACHARIAS

Project Manager

A get-up-and-go kind of woman who is at her happiest with food, dogs and getaways. Even moreso if with family or friends!

In the early days of Chloe's career, she curated her own exhibition in Rome showcasing different techniques like photography, installation and painting. The personal reward associated with bringing people together to enjoy networking, local wine and Italian delicacies gave her the taste for the world of events.

With an extensive background in producing luxury wedding, Chloe now delivers premium creative corporate events with personality and passion. She continues to build her knowledge in every aspect of event production, both in the UK and overseas.

Away from events, Chloe likes to indulge in food-related activities, teach Zumba or just escape to the beach.

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AARON PAIN

Account Director

After deciding working for MTV and being a skiing instructor perhaps wouldn’t be a long-term career, Aaron settled upon event organising. With a love of challenges and travel, events offered a lot of potential and no two days the same.

Aaron has brought his key skills in problem solving, relationship building and event design to high profile events in the UK, China and the US for UK GOV and various global brands over the last 17 years.

Having recently moved out of London to the Surrey countryside, with 3 children, Aaron spends the remaining 5 mins of his spare time planning family holidays, playing the piano and learning the guitar.

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RICHARD BUXTON

Project Manager

Country at heart, Rich returned to his Hertfordshire roots joining the Rockitfish team after forging his event career over 5 years in London.

His passion for events comes from a hospitality background, where he managed daily live music events on an après-ski bar in the French Alps. Extremely client focused, he loves the buzz of a live event and the challenge of a complex project. Paired with a degree in project management he's equipped with all the tools to create quality and engaging events.

Always up for new experiences and exploring new places, Rich enjoys country dog walks (via a country pub!), golf, skiing, and hiking trips!

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MICHAELA KEATES

Project Manager

A CIM accredited Events Marketer, Kayla has worked every angle of the events industry from venues to festivals. She's also been heavily involved with the electrical industry, producing a popular industry webinar series and podcast, delivering large conferences and the biggest roadshow series of exhibitions within the industry. There's no stadium, racecourse or exhibition centre she hasn't been to or heard of! Don’t forget to ask about her award winning, industry first, satellite broadcast event.  

It's not all work and no play though. It's not uncommon for Kayla to head straight to the airport from an event to explore a new corner of the world. And if it involves a snowboard, all the better!

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JASMINE COOTE

Project Manager

Passionate about decor and design from a young age Jasmine was always organising themed parties for family and friends. After realising she could turn this love of events into a career she went on to study Events Management at Bournemouth University. 

From then on she was hooked - continuing to work in the world of events ever since. Always on the lookout for ways to wow her clients, she is fortunate that the job has taken her around the globe, exploring exciting destinations from Croatia to California. Transforming a corporate venue one day to developing virtual event solutions the next, no day is ever the same!

Outside of the office you will find Jasmine planning her next getaway or looking to learn a new skill… scuba diving, jewellery making, ice skating (the list goes on). When she finally makes time to relax it’s usually with a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other!

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RACHEL WATERS

Project Manager

After her first taste of running events while on a placement in 2012 from her BA Hons Degree in Leisure Marketing, Rachel fell hook, line and sinker in love with the industry and has not looked back since!

Ever striving to find the newest, coolest venues and exceed client expectations, she has taken upon herself to try and test some of the finest hotels and restaurants in the world and as such, has become somewhat of a ‘self-proclaimed’ venue, food and wine connoisseur (it’s a tough job, but someone’s gotta do it!).

She has been lucky enough to travel Europe, South East Asia, New Zealand, Australia and her new favourite destination…Costa Rica, where she ziplined through the rainforest, trekked up a volcano and snorkelled with turtles.

When she is not globetrotting, she loves nothing more than a boozy brunch with friends, going to music festivals, walking her dog or you can find her at the gym in a HIIT, circuits or Zumba class, frantically trying to reverse the effects of all the eating! 

Recently swapping the London rat race to the sleepy suburbs, she is looking forward to exploring her new surroundings… when she gets a break from doing up her house that is!

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KIERON O’SHEA

Director

Co-founder of Rockitfish and co-founder of 3 children. Proud of both achievements – though for quite different reasons.

An early (very early) career as a child actor, was followed by a kaleidoscope of study and work experiences - law degree from Exeter University, Chartered Institute of Marketing qualifications, automotive sales and money broking in the City. And a bit of music on the side, fronting a band from the mid-90’s to the mid-noughties.

Now 20 years in events and communications, and still approaching every project with the same intensity, enthusiasm and application as the very first gig.

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MATT GREEN

Senior Project Manager

A driven event professional, with a fascination for tech. A business studies degree, with specialisation in marketing and HR, and a dissertation on ‘the value of employees to an organisation’ led to the first role in team events. The next 15 years have been a journey of discovery – travelling the globe, working with some of the most impressive organisations on the planet and even finding a wife at work!

A lover of good food and fine dining…and even a little baking now and then – just ask any colleagues about the epic cheese scones and banana bread. Outside of the kitchen it’s all about the gadgets - and constantly looking for the next new lifechanging bit of tech!

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TRACEY PHILLIPS

Senior Designer

Tracey has been drinking Rockitfish out of tea since it all kicked off. A founding member of the team, bringing over 17 years of design experience - 14 of those in the events and creative comms industry.

An unquenchable thirst for knowledge and not being one to shy away from a challenge has seen an accumulation of a wealth of skills and experience. And it doesn't stop at learning web languages or how to install floor to ceiling vinyls – regular Tuesday lunchtime guitar lessons have produced Hertford’s female answer to Dave Grohl.

Don't get her onto speaking about the chickens though…

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SARAH TURNER

Account Director

After a taste of the high-life as cabin crew, a career in the very grounded world of events beckoned. That was 2006, and since then it's been a life dedicated to designing event solutions and building relationships – in fact, Mr Turner was a fellow event professional and work-colleague!

Away from work most hobbies have taken a back seat, due to the 3 little people that have taken over. So once the running to and from football, gymnastics, swimming and dancing is over, a nice G&T with friends and family at the weekend helps with the R&R.

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LAURA WHITEHEAD

Senior Project Manager

Keen sports enthusiast who prefers to watch rather than play these days! Now a mummy of two splitting time between soft play and site visits, but completely dedicated to both roles and loving the challenge.

A start in the travel industry led to working overseas before joining the dynamic world of business events. Now over 10 years and hundreds of projects later, still striving to continually deliver exceptional service and still discovering new ideas and ways of doing things – just a bit more experience under the belt.

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ZOE BOYD

Senior Project Manager

Proud owner of Hercules the office dog, who spreads joy wherever he goes and can get away with anything…you can’t resist that face!

Always inquisitive, keen to explore and understand what makes people tick led to a degree in Applied Psychology and some fairly extensive travelling across Europe, South Africa, South East Asia, Australia and beyond. Forever looking for new experiences as a 'foodie' and part time adrenaline junky; willing to dive in to, ski down, jump off or out of pretty much anything.

Mix of project and management roles have built experience to deal with the many challenges of multi-faceted events… and I love it. Working in the industry for 5 years and sure to be in events through to retirement!

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LAUREN FRANCIS

Project Manager

A radical change in career path after graduating from St. George's Medical School with a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography saw an opportunity to carry out some exploratory work in the field of corporate events – a world where science and art meet with great effect.

3 years down the line, and there's been no looking back. There's been no time to look back! The progress has been rapid and all-consuming, spanning live events for hundreds of people from household brands, to intimate gatherings for C-level executives.

A keen baker, regularly making celebration cakes for friends and family… and the team at Rockitfish of course. Away from the kitchen it's basketball – playing and watching NBA.

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GILLY BOWDEN

Account Director

Worked in Events Industry for over 18+ years. Specialising in creative conferences, themed parties, product launches, team activities & experiences.

Over the years Gilly has organised a wide variety of corporate events, entertaining from 10 to 10,000 delegates, UK & Overseas, from the initial brief to managing the live event. Dedicating her time to ensure all aspects of the programme are professional, giving fresh ideas, being passionate and adventurous when creating the overall event.

Clients worked with range from Pharmaceutical, Motor Trade, Finance & Banking, Construction to Recruitment. Many of which gain her trust to repeat their events year on year.

Away from work there's too much to mention… 1940's Lindy-Hop Swing/Jive Dancing, chair of the local tennis club, badminton, countryside walks, travelling, rescuing and re-homing pets with animal charities… And that’s just for starters!

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DAVID BUXTON

Director

One of the founders of Rockitfish, with a hunger to see the team develop and achieve its substantial potential within the event world.

Early career in mixed financial & operational roles, after qualifying as a Chartered Accountant and working within various industries including insurance, telecoms and events. Long term member of The Institute of Directors and The Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Over 20 years in the event industry having previously been Managing Director or Chairman of 3 other event companies, the largest of which, grew from 20 staff to over 120 staff. Outside interests include boating, badminton and biking.

Passionate about the event industry and delivering projects which make a difference, add value and delight clients.

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TOM MCNEILL

Account Director

Tom is a passionate and creative individual with over 20 years experience in events and hospitality. In this time Tom has created and managed successful events ranging from prestigious private parties, high profile formal engagements (with the odd prince and princess) to unique blue chip corporate experiences. All this industry experience is anchored with a BA (Hons) Event Management and MA Food, Wine and Culture.

A strong believer in forging strong relationships for the greater good, Tom loves a catch up over a good flat white or craft beer!

Outside of work Tom is usually found in the kitchen developing something delicious and instagramable. Chasing around after his two young sons keeps Tom fit whilst his wife keeps him on his toes.

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ALLISON JARRETT

Account Director

A founding member of the Rockitfish team, Allison is a senior event professional and has been helping organisations of all shapes and sizes through the design and delivery of effective event and communications solutions for over 18 years.

Starting out in the publishing industry, Allison soon found producing conferences, incentive programmes and parties more rewarding than point of sale and dump bins, so took the leap into a full-time event agency role.

Allison’s other passion is golf. Here she gets to exercise her competitive spirit as well as body. Thankfully, she’s not a bad player and wins regularly - so usually has a spring in her step every Monday morning when she tees off a new week.

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