Meet our Board

Rob Brackstone - Chair

Managing Director, ESM

Specialist Areas

• Custom Design and Build
• Experiential environments and spaces
• Business Management 

Established in 1989, Rob has been Managing Director of design and build contractor ESM since 2005 working with agencies, exhibitors and marketing teams globally. ESSA’s support throughout the pandemic highlighted the common plight of members and confirmed Rob’s belief that the industry is significantly undervalued. His ambition is to bring businesses together within ESSA, to listen and learn from each other, share successes, communicate challenges and better explain the value of event suppliers and services to create a stronger future for all.

Alexandra Bailey - Vice Chair

Managing Director, Creative8 Ltd

 Specialist Areas

• Custom build
• Point of sale
• Consultancy

Alexandra co-founded Creative8 over 14 years ago which specialises in exhibition stand design and build. The company prides itself on always offering something special to clients, a value that Alexandra extends to ESSA. Passionate about the industry, ESSA provides the perfect platform for her to communicate the challenges stand contractors face and help guide continual growth and positive change within the industry.

Martin Cairns

Managing Director, Beechwood Events

Specialist Areas

• Floorcoverings
• Sustainability and Recycling
• Build-Up & Break-Down Logistics

Martin has over 30 years of industry experience as a floorcovering contractor and supplier to all sectors within events & exhibitions gaining invaluable insight and understanding of the industry from the perspective of each stakeholder. Having previously sat on the BECA council, served as an ESSA director for the last 12 years and proudly occupied the position of Chair in 2019 – 20, Martin is well placed to represent members views, opinions and challenges and ensure their voice is heard.

Dan Edwards

Managing Director, Whitespace Xpo

Specialist Areas

• Core Services  
• Modular/Custom Build Stands   
• Event Operations

Dan has worked in the events industry for over 20 years across all aspects - Organiser, Venue and Supplier. At Whitespace Xpo, he looks to deliver exceptional events for clients across core services, modular, custom build, brand activation and digital. In his role as Managing Director, he works closely with Organiser, Venue and Suppliers and is passionate about ESSA’s commitment to providing a voice for suppliers of the events sector. Collaboration, community and best practice are essential, and ESSA provides a superb platform for this to take place.

Marija Erzen

Co-Owner & Director, Solutions 2

Specialist Areas

• Custom Build
• Sustainability within custom build
• project Management

Marija co-founded design and build company Solutions2 in 2001 and offers an experienced voice for the 45% of ESSA members that are design and build contractors and privately-owned SMEs. A member since the association’s inception, she is a firm believer in the value of trade associations and is passionate about helping to drive industry recovery post Covid-19 alongside the ESSA ‘Use a Member’ campaign.

Dean Linehan

Senior Vice President, GES

Specialist Areas

• Client partnerships
• Commercial leadership
• Event operations

Dean has more than 30 years’ experience in the events and exhibitions industry, having started his career with GES, previously P&O Exhibitions and later Melville Exhibitions, in 1994.

After an initial 10 years with GES, Dean broadened his experience on the organiser side with MCIA Events, where he progressed to Event Director, leading operations and sales for Motorcycle Live at the NEC.

Dean rejoined GES in 2014 as Portfolio Director and has since held senior commercial and client relations roles across the EMEA business. Today, as Senior Vice President at GES, he has responsibility for the UK and European business, overseeing commercial performance, client partnerships, business development, operations and customer experience.

With a strong focus on growth, innovation and operational excellence, Dean works closely with organisers, venues and industry partners to deliver exceptional event experiences and long-term value. He is passionate about building high-performing teams, strengthening collaboration and supporting sustainable business success across the region.

Paul Richardson

Managing Director, Vividink

 Specialist Areas

• Marketing and communications
• Public relations
• Association strategy

Paul brings 40 years of marketing and communications experience to the ESSA Board, alongside a strong understanding of the events ecosystem. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

His career includes extensive client-side experience as an exhibitor, managing up to 50 global exhibitions each year. This gives Paul first-hand insight into the operational pressures, objectives and challenges faced by exhibitors and end users.

For the past 20 years, through his event-focused PR and communications agency Vividink, Paul has worked closely with many ESSA members to help amplify their voices. Vividink has also supported ESSA as its communications agency for the last 10 years.

Through his work with ESSA, the Association of Event Venues and the Events Industry Alliance, Paul brings a clear understanding of how trade associations operate, how they represent members, and how collaboration across the wider industry can drive progress. He is keen to support ESSA as it continues to lead, represent and grow the event supply chain.

Simon Ridout

Commercial Director, Showlite

Specialist Areas:

• Operations
• Strategy
• Core-services

I am delighted to join the ESSA Board again. With 33 years in the exhibition and events industry - 28 at Director level – I bring extensive leadership and operational expertise. Currently Commercial Director at Showlite, I am known for my strategic insight, commercial acumen and hands-on approach across core and full-service supplier contracts. A familiar face on-site, I look forward to supporting the industry, so don't hesitate to say hello if you see me.

Ellen Stokes

Managing Director, Be Exhibition

Specialist Areas

• Bespoke exhibition stands
• Project delivery
• SME contractor representation

Ellen is Managing Director of Be Exhibitions, a UK-based exhibition design and build company specialising in bespoke stands for trade shows and live events.

With a strong commercial mindset and hands-on industry experience, Ellen has built a business focused on delivering high-quality, practical and visually impactful exhibition solutions for clients across a wide range of sectors.

Working within the exhibition industry has given Ellen a clear understanding of the operational and strategic challenges faced by contractors, organisers and exhibitors. Her experience spans project management from concept through to installation, as well as supplier relationships, budgeting, logistics and client delivery.

Ellen is passionate about improving transparency, raising industry standards and supporting more sustainable working practices. She brings a fresh and practical perspective to the ESSA Board, with a particular focus on representing the needs of small to medium-sized contractors.

Collaboration sits at the heart of Ellen’s approach. She believes there is strength in numbers and is keen to support ESSA’s work in building a more connected, resilient and forward-thinking exhibition community.

Kane Thomas

Commercial Director, Full Circle Events & Exhibitions

Specialist Areas

• Core Services
• Custom Design & Build
• Strategy

With over 10 years’ organiser experience previously as Event Director across a wide range of B2B and B2C shows for small and large organisers, Kane brings a different perspective to the ESSA board. Kane moved to the supplier side in 2022, and with a wide skillset across sales, marketing, strategy and operations, Kane is proud to assist ESSA in achieving its goals and delivering its message to members and the wider industry that we serve.

Lisa Tyson

Deputy Managing Director, Aztec Event Services

Specialist Areas

• Technology Expert
• Experiential & Creative Specialist
• Sustainability Advocate

With over 25 years in the events industry, I remain deeply passionate about delivering outstanding live experiences. My career has spanned corporate, retail, exhibition and digital sectors, with a strong focus on creatively integrating new technologies. From starting as a rental desk coordinator to becoming Deputy Managing Director at Aztec Event Services, I’ve built a career grounded in innovation and collaboration.

As Chair of ESSA’s Sustainability Working Group, I’m proud to work alongside industry peers to create resources that help our sector grow sustainably and adapt to future challenges. 

Trudy Wilde

Exhibitions Director, Presentation Service Providers Ltd trading as PSP

Specialist Areas

• Independent suppliers
• Live event delivery
• Talent and inclusion

Trudy is Exhibitions Director at PSP, a small independent business and recent Times Best Place to Work winner.

She has spent her career at the heart of the industry, working across many areas of live events and exhibitions from the ground up. This experience gives Trudy a strong understanding of the pressures facing independent businesses, suppliers, contractors and freelancers who play such an important role in the event supply chain.

Running a smaller operation means every decision counts, and Trudy brings that practical, real-world perspective to the ESSA Board. She has built her career on strong, trust-based relationships with clients, crew and suppliers, and is passionate about fair, transparent and mutually beneficial ways of working.

Diversity, inclusion and attracting the next generation into the industry are also important priorities for Trudy. She believes the sector has a powerful story to tell, with creativity, variety, energy and real career progression to offer young people.

Trudy joins the ESSA Board with hands-on experience, a genuine passion for the industry and a commitment to helping make it better for everyone working within it.