MEET SIAN, ONE OF OUR NEW EVENT PLANNERS
Introducing a new member of the Team! In this exciting period of growth and as we began to rebuild the business last Autumn, Sian Keen joined us as an Event Planner. We caught up to learn a little bit about what makes Sian tick.
Sian, tell us a little bit about you
I grew up in and around Ascot, then went onto the University of Kent where I studied History… nothing relatable to hospitality whatsoever but it does make me handy in a pub quiz. Amongst most of my friends I tend to be the ‘organiser’– an occupational hazard.
Throughout university, I did temp work in hospitality to get me through the summers. It took me everywhere from kitchens and offices, to stadiums and racecourses. I just loved the buzz of it all, so working in events and hospitality was the plan ever since.
I did an internship for a luxury supercar event before graduating and was offered a job there after. Over four and a half years, I helped plan six editions of the annual event, Salon Privé, which attracts some of the world’s most prestigious automotive brands and classic car collectors. I’m so proud of the things the team and I were able to pull off during that time.
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO MOVING VENUE?
It’s not exactly a fairy tale beginning… a friend put me in touch with a recruiter, but after hearing about Moving Venue I was hooked. The prospect of working in such historic and unique venues seemed surreal. When I was little my mum would take my three siblings and I up to London and we’d spend the day walking around the National Gallery, V&A or Natural History Museum with an audio headset on. Now, years later to be back at those places, planning and running events? Pinch me.
Plus, I’ve always been a foodie so moving to the catering side of things just made so much sense. Plus, it’s safe to say the food so far has been DELICIOUS.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WORKING IN EVENTS?
There’s something I just love about being behind the scenes. From a guest’s perspective they come in, grab a glass of Champagne, take their seat – totally oblivious. Behind the scenes there are teams of staff perfectly laying out every place setting, chefs in the kitchen carefully plating up, waiters diligently standing in line ready to serve the next course… we do it seamlessly and the guests are none the wiser. Our little secret.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU’RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Seeing events I’m currently working on take place – they include venues like Hampton Court Palace, Guildhall, London Transport Museum, the National Gallery, Somerset House… the list goes on!
I’m also really looking forward to building strong relationships with clients and venues as the time goes on – I find it so rewarding when a client truly trusts your opinion and ability and you build a rapport around that.
Then I guess above all I’m just looking forward to learning more, as much as I can really, about food, wine, venues, everything in between!
YOU SAID YOU LIKED FOOD – IF YOU COULD EAT ONE THING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Can I say Mediterranean? That’s probably too broad isn’t it!
I’m half Maltese so anything from that part of the world is delicious to me. Fresh seafood, Burrata, figs, Prosciutto, pasta, freshly baked bread in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Long story short, I have no answer to this question! I couldn’t pick just one!
