Event Professional • Writer • Storyteller
For more than 30 years, I worked behind the scenes of live events and hospitality — a career that spanned 65 cities in 25 countries and countless productions, conferences, and performances.
I began in audio-visual production and sound engineering in the 1980s, gradually moving into technical project management and large-scale event coordination. It was a world defined by early starts, late finishes, and the steady satisfaction of watching an empty space transform into something extraordinary.
I was fortunate to work with some of London’s most iconic venues — especially The Cumberland Hotel, where I spent many memorable years helping create unforgettable experiences for audiences and clients alike. Those experiences taught me that great events are built on teamwork, attention to detail, and respect for everyone involved.
Now, in retirement, I’ve chosen to look back and share what I’ve learned.
A Life Behind the Scenes
Over the decades, I’ve met incredible people —technicians, performers, hotel staff, event planners, and clients — who all shared the same commitment to excellence. Together, we created moments that existed only briefly, yet live on in memory — the perfect lighting cue, the first note of music, the applause when it all came together.
Those moments, and the venues that hosted them, are what I celebrate here.
Through my writing, I hope to preserve a few stories from a profession that’s as demanding as it is rewarding — and to give others a glimpse into the artistry and precision that define great hospitality and live production.
Today
These days, I write about the places and people that shaped my journey:
- Favourite Venues, revisiting spaces where I worked and learned.
- Favourite Places, reflecting on cities that inspired me through travel and production.
- Professional reflections, sharing insights from a lifetime in events.
I’m proud of what those years taught me — about patience, teamwork, and the quiet satisfaction of a job well done.
The show always ends, the lights go down — but the memories and lessons stay with you forever.
Author and Mentor
In addition to my writing, I’m the author of Start and Grow a Successful Business — a book inspired by my own journey in the freelance and hospitality world.
It’s written for professionals who want to build sustainable careers while staying true to their craft.
Though I’ve stepped back from active work, I remain passionate about helping others succeed and enjoy the same sense of purpose that carried me through my own career.
Connect with Nigel
I’m always happy to hear from those in the industry — whether you’re just starting out or, like me, reflecting on a life spent behind the scenes.
Testimonials
“Nigel has a great aptitude for working both independently and within a team. He always projects a mature, reliable and flexible approach to work, his time keeping has always been exceptional”.
Mr Guy Cresswell
Managing director
Promus Productions Ltd
“Thank you so much for your assistance with the conference. Many people have commented on your great service and how easy your work and preparation enabled the audio-visual display to run so smoothly“.
Mrs D Dobson
Liver transplant
co-ordinator
Royal Free Hampstead
NHS Trust
“A big thank you to you and all your team for the outstanding work you did on the British Journal of Nursing Awards at the Savoy last week. The comments we have had back from sponsors and entrants have been nothing but overwhelmingly of the highest praise and congratulation”.
Mr Mark Freeman
Managing director
Mark Allen Publishing Ltd
Fontainebleau 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach