Claire Derrick

Claire studied International Business & Marketing at The University of Greenwich and New Hampshire College, Massachusetts, USA, and holds a Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Claire has worked in an event management or consultancy capacity for clients globally.

After working as a marketeer for an international financial investment company in Boston, Claire began her UK career as an event organiser in a number of high profile charities, where she developed exceptional diplomatic skills and learnt how to plan and implement special occasions with Royalty and VIP's. She also developed her expertise in volunteer recruitment and management for large-scale beneficiary and challenge events in both the British and international arenas.

Claire has also dealt extensively with corporate event sponsors ensuring that Service Level Agreements are continuously met and exceeded, in line with company objectives.

Claire set up the Event Academy in 2011 to help bridge the skills gap that existed in the event industry. Over the years Claire and her team of expert lecturers have trained thousands of individuals, turning raw talent into event professionals that add value to event companies. Claire is constantly connecting with industry to examine current best practice and emerging trends where skills gaps exist, ensuring course content is relevant to the needs of the market.

In her spare time Claire is a keen hill walker, volunteers for a disaster relief charity and is a Black Belt in Karate.