Meet The Team

Bentley Bridge

Les Vipond

Managing Director
Les brings over 30 years of experience in the events industry, culminating in setting up Event Hire in 2005 and building the business to a level of national UK coverage. He takes a hands-on approach, often seen at major events assisting with logistics and client liaison. 

Craig Hammond

Key Account Manager
With over 30 years’ experience in the industry with a variety of the leading companies, Craig has extensive experience and knowledge of the event hire industry. He liaises directly with clients to source and provide all furniture requirements to major events and providing on-site management to provide a seamless service from start to satisfactory completion of the event.

Simon Wiser

Marketing Director
Simon, who heads up the marketing team at Event Hire UK, has a wealth of experience in the events industry, having spent over 20+ years dealing with clients on major projects. With a particular interest in the sports hospitality field, Simon is regularly asked to speak at seminars & conferences, and also acts as a marketing consultant for a number of other related businesses. Away from the office, he enjoys playing squash, presenting football shows on live streams and walking the family dog.

Lee Vipond

National Operations Director
Lee has worked in the event hire industry since 1997 and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his national operations director role, and is often found on sites around the country co-ordinating large events and exhibitions for the company. Outside work, Lee enjoys spending quality time with his young family.

Jamie Higgins

Stock Control Manager
Jamie brings unrivalled knowledge and experience to his role as nationwide stock control manager and also manages sites for our major events and exhibitions. Away from work, Jamie is a long-suffering, tired and weary Birmingham City fan.

Ryan Potter

Head of Logistics
Ryan has worked in the hospitality, sports and leisure industry since 1996. He moved over to the hire industry in 2013 and brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his group logistics director role, and is often found on our event sites around the country co-ordinating large events for the company. Outside work, Ryan enjoys spending quality time with his young family, and coaching his son's football team.

Richard Preece

Marketing Manager
Richard, our marketing manager, has over a decade of experience in the event's industry. With an eye for detail, he also brings with him photography and post-shoot editing skills. Richard is responsible for key areas of online and offline marketing, including our presence at trade shows, exhibitions and other networking events. Outside of work, he enjoys a number of outdoor pursuits.

Kyle France

Digital Marketing Manager
Our digital marketing manager Kyle is responsible for overall web development, graphic design and social media activity here at Event Hire UK. With a passion for everything online, Kyle is an integral part of the marketing team and helps to ensure that our online activities are timely, relevant and successful.

Donna Vipond

Company Secretary / Credit Controller
Donna has worked for Event Hire UK since its early days and brings with her a wealth of organisational skills from previous roles as a PA. In the little spare time she has, she enjoys going to the gym, travelling and having fun with her two children.

Karen Maas

Finance Manager
Karen heads up the finance team here at Event Hire UK and brings a wealth of experience to the role, gained from over 30 years spent in the world of business finance. Away from the office, she can usually be found by the side of a cricket pitch, supporting the endeavours of her cricket-mad son!

Walsall

Michael Pearmain

Depot Manager
Michael is a supply chain professional with experience in project management, logistics, leadership and operations, bringing with him over two decades of experience to the table. With a strong academic foundation, he excels in optimising operations and coordinating major projects. Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending quality time with his two boxer dogs, and can often be found out in a muddy field somewhere in Staffordshire.

Giles Butler

Warehouse Manager
Giles brings over 25 years of experience in warehouse operations management to the company. Motivated by achieving his goals, he demonstrates exceptional leadership and a commitment to improving internal processes, whilst consistently driving operational success. Outside his professional life, Giles is passionate about motor sport, and enjoys spending quality time with his family.

Taylor Lea

Transport Manager
Taylor has been with Event Hire since 2021. Starting as a driver, he quickly advanced to the role of Transport Manager, showcasing exceptional leadership and organisational skills. Taylor is dedicated to ensuring efficient transport operations, and is known for a strong work ethic and commitment to excellence. Outside of work, Taylor enjoys hiking and kickboxing, staying active and embracing new challenges.

Laura Brealey

Sales
Laura has been working in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, and takes huge pride in delivering a first-class service to our clients, whilst enjoying meeting new people each and every day. Away from work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, in between her shopping ventures, of course!

Laura Bicknell

Sales
Laura is a valuable member of the Walsall sales team, carrying out her duties as sales administrator in a timely, efficient and professional manner. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, gardening and anything to do with cars!

London

Andrew Viney

National Operations Director
Andy has worked in the London catering equipment and furniture hire business for his whole career, and therefore brings an unrivalled wealth of experience to the operational side of the business. Away from work, Andy enjoys being involved in managing a semi-pro football team and even enjoys the occasional game himself whenever possible.

Jeff Dartnell

Sales Director
Jeff brings a wealth of experience in catering and furniture hire sales, events and site management to Event Hire London. Away from the office, he enjoys time with his family and playing football.

Cheryl Viney

Sales Office Manager
Cheryl is London’s Office Manager and has worked for Event Hire for a number of years, following a successful career in childcare. In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys holidays, reading and spending her time socialising with family and friends.

Anoushka Martin

Sales
Anoushka is responsible for the off hires and losses in the London depot and is also a member of the sales team, having previously gained experience at another catering hire company. In her spare time, Anoushka enjoys travelling, music, gigs and festivals.

Charlie Bulmer

Sales
Charlie is a valued member of the London sales team. Outside of work, he is a keen sportsman having previously played semi-pro football, and enjoys nothing more than getting stuck into a good film in his spare time.

Chloe Hamilton

Sales
Chloe has key account responsibility and an integral member of the sales team. Away from work, she enjoys travelling, socialising with family and friends, and going to festivals.  

Maria Savva

Office Administrator
Maria is a valued member of the London sales team and always aims to provide a top quality level of customer service, generating quotes, estimates and hire contracts for clients on a daily basis. Diverting career path from her 9 years in hospitality and 5 years in retail experience, Maria brings a multitude of different skills and experience to the team. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, dancing and going to music festivals.

Bradford

Jéan Möller

Regional Operations Director
Originating from South Africa, Jéan is the regional operations director for Event Hire overseeing the Bradford and Manchester sales and distribution centres. Having worked for Event Hire since the opening of the Bradford hub, Jéan has enviable and extensive experience in the UK events industry.

Lynsey Barraclough

Assistant Depot Manager
Lynsey is the assistant depot manager for Bradford and has previously worked for a number of business support organisations. In her spare time, she enjoys going to festivals and spending time with her young daughter.

James Oddy

Transport Manager
A stalwart of the events industry, Jimmy brings a wealth of experience to his role as transport manager for the Bradford team. Away from work, he is a keen angler, an avid supporter of his local rugby league team Leeds Rhinos, and enjoys spending as much time as possible with this family.

Martine Stead

Sales
As a valued member of the sales team, Martine is on the front line in the Bradford depot. Before joining Event Hire, she gained 25 years experience as a restaurant manager in both the UK and abroad in Spain, having spent 7 years in Menorca with her partner and two sons. In her spare time she enjoys going to food festivals and gin festivals and has a passion for live music.

Luci Hall

Sales
Luci is a key member of the Bradford sales team and enjoys providing a first-class service to our clients, both established and new. Away from work, she enjoys spending time with her twin boys and socialising with her friends, as much as time will allow!

Manchester

Dave Wood

Depot Manager
With over 20 years experience in the UK events, furniture and catering equipment hire industry, Dave brings a wealth of knowledge to the Manchester depot manager's role. Away from work, Dave likes to spend time with his family and watch his beloved football team Manchester United.

Jo Monaghan

Sales Office Manager
Jo brings extensive experience in the furniture hire and catering equipment hire industry, having been involved with various companies in this sector for over 20 years. Out of the office, she can be found socialising with her friends and spending time with her family.

Denise Toner

Sales
Denise brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in sales and administration to the Event Hire business having previously been involved in various related sectors over the past 25 years.  Outside of work, Denise enjoys travelling and socialising with friends and family.