Below are the 7 candidates that have been nominated to stand for election to the ESSA Board at the 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Event Supplier & Services Association Ltd. There are 5 vacancies available on the ESSA Board and therefore an election will take place.
Kashif Din, CEO, One World Rental
Kashif Din is the CEO and founder of One World Rental. A graduate in Business & Computing Systems at City University London, graduating in 2006. His entrepreneurial journey began in 2010 with the launch of Alexander Ward Ltd, the UK-registered entity behind OWR which is still trading today serving as the London based HQ for the global One World Rental brand operating in 13 countries. One World Rental serves a range of events from corporate conferences and summits to music Festivals.
Speaking with a fellow parent at Chigwell Scho (his son’s school), who's the CEO of the payments association, made Kashif reflect on the value of strong industry bodies. He wants to support ESSA in evolving beyond its domestic focus by offering a global perspective, drawing from my experience scaling One World Rental internationally. He enjoys meaningful conversations with serious peers, and Kashif is keen to contribute, connect, and help ESSA grow its international relevance. Kashif finds it frustrating to see so many associations popping up in the events industry. There need to be a few powerful ones which can really make a difference. He believes ESSA is the one!
Under Kashif’s leadership, One World Rental has grown into a global market leader in event technology, achieving consistent growth without external investment. His “YES” mindset and expertise in service delivery and technology have helped build a multi-award-winning company with 14 bases across 13 countries.
Kashif believes success is driven by a strong team, and he has cultivated a global network of operational experts who ensure seamless service across hardware rentals, fulfilment, staffing, and OWR’s partnerships.
Beyond business, Kashif is married with 2 children living in London and is passionate about travel and aviation. Kashif holds a Private Pilot License (PPL).
Marija Erzen, Director, Solutions 2 (UK)
Specialist Areas
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- Design & Build
- Sustainability within custom build
- Project Management
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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 brings deep expertise and a proven record of leadership. A former Chair of the Board she has been a vocal advocate for sustainability within design & build and continues to champion ESSA accreditation as a standard of excellence. Marija is a firm believer in the value of trade associations and is passionate about advancing industry standards and fostering collaboration to help shape a stronger more sustainable future for the event supplier community
Mike Frost, Co-Founder, Expocast
Mike is the Founder of Expocast, which is globally recognised as a leader in recruitment excellence for the events industry. He has orchestrated the moves of CEOs, MDs, Directors, Managers and Executives into event companies across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa and Australia.
Expocast is the official Talent Partner of the Association of Event Organisers, and also has established partnerships with The Ops Nest and Benchmark Collective. Mike sits on working groups for HR, DEI, Sustainability and Development Boards for ESSA and has spoken at industry events including the UFI Global Congress, International Confex and the ESSA Conference.
Andrew Hickinbotham, Head of Sales, TECNA
I’m throwing my proverbial hat into the ring to build on the last two years; & continue my position on the ESSA board. What a privilege it’s been so far.
My current role as Head of Sales at Tecna, allows me to fuse design, sales & sustainability in an exciting events world that demands more creative innovation than ever before. It’s no time to become lazy & complacent.
Initially a degree-trained 3D designer, I’ve lived & breathed the exhibition & live event sector for many years, having held commercial positions at various industry specialists (all of whom were ESSA members – fun fact).
Over the last few years, I’ve immersed myself in ESSA groupthink. This year I’ve been lucky enough to be one of the first mentors in the newly formed ESSA Mentoring initiative. I’m currently the Vice Chair of the Sustainability Working Group, alongside other activity in the Future Focus, ESSA Events, Sales, eGuide Advisory & Counter Terrorism working groups. They all cross-pollinate their ideas - within the group meetings, WhatsApp chats, & out in the wider sector with my colleagues & industry peers.
I’ve been a keen speaker & contributor of NEC Events Week for 10 years, with a proven passion for encouraging new talent into the event sector, & indeed to join ESSA as Student Mambers. I’m involved in the pilot phase of the new Better Stands (Nett Zero Carbon Events) initiative, which amongst other things aims to grow the vocabulary of exhibition supply-chain sustainability.
If re-selected, I will continue to encourage debate & wave the ESSA flag, far & wide.
My proverbial hat is actually a cap, & it says MEGA on it. Make Events Great Again. & I think it’s working too. Vote for me, vote for the cap!
Simon Ridout, Commercial Director, Showlite
Simon Ridout brings over three decades of expertise to the exhibition and events industry, with 33 years of experience and 28 of those at Director level. Currently serving as Commercial Director at Showlite Ltd, Simon is a respected and well-known figure known for his strategic leadership, commercial acumen, and deep operational understanding across core and full-service supplier contracts.
Having previously held MD/owner roles within full-service contracting firms, Simon's career reflects a sustained commitment to excellence and innovation in exhibition delivery.
Simon is no stranger to the ESSA community. From 2007 to 2016, he was an active and influential member of the ESSA Board, including a tenure as Vice Chairman. During that period, he helped shape policies and initiatives that strengthened the voice and standards of the supplier community within the wider exhibition sector.
He previously stepped back from the ESSA board to dedicate more time to his young family and business commitments but now seeks to re-engage with the ESSA board and drive the industry/association forward.
His motivation for rejoining the ESSA board stems from a genuine desire to give back to the industry that has shaped his professional journey. With his comprehensive background and knowledge in both niche and full-service supply contracts, Simon offers valuable insight into the operational and strategic challenges facing today's exhibition suppliers. He is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders, fostering collaboration, and helping ESSA continue to evolve in a changing event landscape.
Simon's blend of experience, steady leadership, and commitment to industry development make him a strong candidate to help drive ESSA forward. He is eager to contribute once again at Board level, supporting the organisation's goals and passing on his knowledge to the next generation of industry professionals.
Simon can always be found pacing the Halls, flying the flag/talking all things exhibitions and always happy to stop for a chat.
Kane Thomas, Commercial Director, Full Circle Events & Exhibitions
With over a decade of experience in the events industry, Kane Thomas brings a rare and valuable dual perspective to his work—having spent 10 years on the organiser side before moving into the supplier sector. As an Event Director, Kane led a wide portfolio of both B2B and B2C shows, working with large-scale operators like Ocean Media Group as well as smaller independent organisers. This breadth of exposure gives him a unique understanding of the challenges and opportunities across the entire events ecosystem.
For the past three years, Kane has been Commercial Director at Full Circle Events & Exhibitions, where he plays a key role in shaping company strategy, driving commercial growth, and leading cross-functional collaboration across sales, marketing, and operations. As a key figure in the management buyout of Full Circle in summer 2024, he brings leadership experience at the highest level and a long-term commitment to the sustainability and innovation of the supplier community.
Having served on the ESSA Board for the past two years, Kane actively promotes the association's values and benefits across the industry. His front-facing role allows him to engage daily with organisers, suppliers, and venues, acting as a vocal advocate for ESSA and contributing meaningfully to strategic conversations and policy direction.
Kane is passionate about strengthening the voice of the supplier community, fostering collaboration, and driving standards across the board. His multi-faceted experience, strategic mindset, and hands-on industry involvement make him a valuable asset to the ESSA Board as it continues to navigate key challenges and opportunities in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Kane is excited by the prospect of continuing his contribution to ESSA, helping shape its future direction, and ensuring it remains relevant, progressive, and representative of its diverse membership.
Lisa Tyson, Deputy Managing Director, Aztec Event Services
With over 25 years of experience in the events industry, my passion for creating exceptional live experiences remains as strong as ever. I have been incredibly fortunate to work up across several key areas, from initially starting as a rental desk co-ordinated to more recently accepting the role of Deputy Managing Director at Aztec Event Services Ltd. I've cultivated a reputation for creative strategy, with a strong focus on integrating improved sustainable practices into every event.
As the current Chair of the ESSA Sustainability Working Group, I have the privilege of collaborating with other ESSA members to develop valuable resources and guidance for our community. Furthermore, I am also a vocal advocate for ESSA in the wider community and consistently highlight the importance of accreditation throughout our industry and clients.
I envision a future for the events industry built on collaboration, innovation, and sustainability and leverage my experience to drive positive change, ensuring our industry adapts and thrives in the face of future challenges.
Why I Would Like to Join the ESSA Board
I am eager to contribute to the ESSA Board to further advocate for growth and innovation within our events industry. I am deeply committed to supporting ESSA's leadership in setting industry standards. If given the opportunity, I would work closely with fellow board members to formulate strategies that empower our members to navigate the evolving landscape, fostering the industry's continued growth and resilience.
Voting will take place ONLINE ahead of the AGM on the 26th June.
