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17/04/25
Strata Unveils New Leadership Structure to Accelerate Expansion
Strata, the award-winning brand experience agency, has announced a major leadership restructure to support its continued expansion and ambitious growth plans within the events and experiential marketing sector.
This marks a formal leadership shift as Simon Hambley and senior colleagues transition to group-level roles focused on strategic growth across the wider agency portfolio. Day-to-day leadership of Strata will now be led by a new executive team comprising Cole Mulkerrins as Chief Executive Officer, Andrea Bishop as Managing Director and Giles Cattle as Chief Growth Officer.
Simon Hambley, formerly CEO of Strata, now serves as Group CEO, a move that reflects the business’s evolution and its goal of accelerating growth across its group of agencies. He will focus on shaping overall strategic direction, performance and integration across the group’s brands, working closely with recently appointed Non-Executive Chairman John Farrell and leveraging support from investment partners at Ethos.
Joining Hambley at group level are Paul Querfurth (Chief M&A, Integration and Transformation Officer), Phil Staines (Chief of Staff), Jake Shuckburgh (Chief People Officer), Julie Phillips (Finance Director) and Liz Gear (Head of Business Systems). Together with Farrell, this expanded leadership team will drive the group’s long-term strategy, integration efforts and operational excellence.
The new Strata executive team brings deep experience and continuity, having all held long-standing leadership roles within the business. Their appointments reflect the agency’s commitment to strengthening leadership from within and building a future-ready structure capable of scaling with continued demand.
"This transition signals our intent to grow further and meet the evolving needs of our clients," said Cole Mulkerrins, CEO of Strata. "I’m incredibly proud to step into the role at such an exciting point in Strata’s journey. We’ve achieved strong momentum, built a brilliant team and delivered outstanding work. I’m looking forward to leading the business into its next phase and continuing to raise the bar across everything we do."
This leadership evolution ensures Strata is well-positioned to deliver exceptional client work while exploring new opportunities for innovation, integration and group-wide collaboration.
(Pictured: Cole Mulkerrins – Chief Executive Officer, Giles Cattle – Chief Growth Officer, and Andrea Bishop – Managing Director)
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16/04/25
Brand Partnership Group acquires Kru Live in milestone deal
Kru Live, the globally recognised and award-winning live engagement agency, is proud to announce its acquisition by Brand Partnership Group, a leading network of agencies and partners dedicated to driving brand innovation and long-term growth through strategic partnerships.
This milestone marks the next phase in Kru Live’s remarkable twenty-year journey from a small start-up in Southampton to a global leader in brand experience staffing. Founder Tom Eatenton, who launched the agency in 2005, will exit the business as part of the transition.
Sarah-Jane Benham, CEO of Kru Live Global, will continue in her leadership role and will play a key role in the group's ambitious growth plans.
Kru Live is a market-leading agency that delivers premium staffing, entertainment and live event implementation services for global brands including Renault, PlayStation, Google, Revolut and Heineken.
“This is a defining moment for Kru Live,” said Sarah-Jane Benham, CEO of Kru Live Global. “From our humble beginnings to where we are today, I couldn’t be more proud of our team and the legacy we’ve built. Joining the Brand Partnership Group allows us to stay true to who we are while unlocking new opportunities, resources and scale that will accelerate our growth and enhance the value we bring to our clients and staff worldwide. We will continue to operate under our existing brand and structure, staying true to the Kru Live culture our clients and crew know and love.”
The Brand Partnership Group is best known as the group behind Blue Square, an award-winning retail marketing and outsourced field sales solution working with leading brands such as Samsung, HP, Shark Ninja, and EE. The Group is a dynamic network focused on helping brands navigate change through partnerships rooted in consumer insight, digital transformation and scalable innovation.
“We’ve long admired Kru Live for their excellent reputation, premium service and passion they bring to every campaign,” said Andrew Leaver, CEO of Brand Partnership Group. “They represent the best in experiential staffing and brand engagement and we’re thrilled to welcome them to the group. Together, we are even better positioned to help brands connect with audiences in meaningful and measurable ways.”
With this acquisition, Kru Live is poised to expand its global footprint, deepen client relationships and offer even greater opportunities for its team and network, while continuing to deliver the world-class service and culture it is known for.
(Pictured: Sarah-Jane Benham, CEO of Kru Live Global & Andrew Leaver, CEO of Brand Partnership Group)
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14/04/25
SEC Launches SEConnect: A Groundbreaking £4 Million IT Investment
The Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow has announced the official launch of SEConnect, the largest IT and business investment in the venue’s history.
This £4 million project represents a significant upgrade to the SEC's IT infrastructure, providing world-class connectivity and secure, reliable wireless coverage. As conference and event organisers increasingly seek advanced technological capabilities, this enhancement will ensure the venue remains at the cutting edge, ready to support the most sophisticated and high-tech exhibitions and shows.
The SEC hosts a diverse range of events every year. Recent highlights have included; The Diabetes UK Conference, Disney on Ice and Hyrox. SEConnect means the campus is now better equipped than ever to enhance the event experience with the ability to cater to events requiring 10 times the technological demands of recent large-scale events like COP26. Featuring new state-of-the-art network switches, advanced firewalls, high-speed cables, cutting-edge wireless access points, and an event feedback and reporting tool, SEConnect ensures comprehensive wireless coverage and high-speed internet services.
Kathleen Warden, Director of Conference Sales said: "With SEConnect we’re offering our clients the very best in event technology, ensuring fast, reliable, and secure connectivity that enhances every aspect of their events. This investment empowers our customers to deliver more interactive and engaging experiences for their attendees, whether through seamless streaming, real-time engagement tools, or high-speed internet access, all backed up by industry-leading cyber security. SEConnect represents our commitment to providing the infrastructure that enables our clients to succeed, making the SEC the go-to venue for innovative, world-class events.”
"Managing a project of this scale in an active venue like the SEC required meticulous pre-planning and an agile approach to scheduling," said SEC Head of Project, Sammia Shakoor. "Our teams had to balance infrastructure upgrades with a full event calendar, working closely with event teams to ensure minimal disruption.
“Instead of deploying the network in one go, we adapted to a 'start-stop' schedule, moving resources around different venues between events. This allowed us to remain responsive to the needs of our clients while steadily making progress. The success of SEConnect reflects the dedication of every team member and our ability to stay flexible and focused throughout the rollout, for our visitors and clients.”
Simon Wilson, CPO at HPE Aruba added :”We’re proud to support the SEC in delivering SEConnect, a major step forward in event connectivity. Reliable, high-performance WiFi is essential for modern events, and with Aruba’s technology, SEConnect ensures seamless, secure, and fast digital experiences for organisers, exhibitors, and visitors alike.”
Stuart Melville, Head of IT at the SEC said: “This transformative investment solidifies SEC’s position as a leader in the event industry by enhancing visitor experience, streamlining operations, strengthening cybersecurity, and offering a competitive edge to attract top-tier events, reinforcing Glasgow's global reputation as a premier destination for events.”
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02/04/25
Coastal Cruises Poole Launches New Online Booking System to Enhance Customer Experience
Coastal Cruises Poole is excited to announce the launch of its new online booking system, designed to provide customers with a seamless and user-friendly reservation experience for its range of sightseeing cruises, special events, and private charters.
Since taking over the City Cruises Poole operation in October 2024, Coastal Cruises Poole has been committed to delivering exceptional maritime experiences along Dorset's stunning coastline. The introduction of the new booking platform marks a significant step in enhancing customer convenience and accessibility.
Carol Scott, Owner and Director of Coastal Cruises Poole, brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles in the maritime tourism industry. Her passion for boats and dedication to the local community have been instrumental in the company's growth and commitment to excellence.
Customers can now effortlessly book a variety of cruises, including:
- Sightseeing Cruises: Explore Poole Harbour, Old Harry Rocks, Studland Bay, the Jurassic Coast, and Swanage in comfort and style on our Harbour & Island Cruise, Jurassic Coast Cruise and Poole to Swanage Sightseeing Cruise. Also in partnership with Swanage Railway we can offer our popular Seatrain Adventure and in extension to this we have partnered with More Bus to offer our Jurassic Adventurer that includes the boat, bus and train!
- Special Public Events: Celebrate occasions such as Poole Quay fireworks, Christmas Parties, Sail with Santa, Mother's Day with themed harbour cruises. Also brand new this year is our new Friday evening BBQ Cruise on selected dates throughout the summer and also our Murder Mystery night on the 4th October.
- Bespoke Private Events: Charter boats for corporate events, family gatherings, birthdays, weddings, and more, with tailored experiences on the water.
Poole's expansive natural harbour and iconic coastal landmarks make it an ideal location for boating enthusiasts and tourists alike. Coastal Cruises Poole is proud to contribute to the local tourism industry by offering educational and enjoyable trips that showcase the area's natural beauty.
For more information or to book a cruise, visit www.coastalcruisespoole.co.uk or contact [email protected].
About Coastal Cruises Poole
Coastal Cruises Poole is a family-run business dedicated to providing top-tier boating experiences along Dorset's coastline. With a focus on safety, comfort, and customer satisfaction, the company offers a variety of cruises and private charters, allowing guests to explore the scenic beauty of Poole and its surroundings.
