Published by Sue Johns-Chapman
Published Date 13.04.2026 
As we celebrate our 25th anniversary year, being shortlisted for two UK Company Culture Awards 2026 categories – Leadership Award and Best Agency to Work For – feels like a meaningful recognition of what we’ve built together. Both categories reflect the culture at the heart of our business and the leadership behind it.
A people first foundation
We founded the business in 2001 with a simple belief: put people first and everything else would follow. Nearly 25 years on, that belief still shapes how we work, grow and the decisions we make every day. It’s guided us through periods of change and challenge and remains at the heart of everything we do.
From the start, our goal has been to deliver exceptional events for global technology brands, while building a company where people genuinely feel valued, supported and able to grow.
Today, we are a team of 45 delivering more than 240 events each year for 54 clients across international markets. Throughout that time, our foundation has stayed the same, even as our services have evolved. Culture isn’t just something we layer on top, but fundamentally shapes how we operate.
Creating a culture where people grow
Our Best Agency to Work For shortlist reflects how this shows up across the business day to day. We invest more than £70,000 each year in training and development, giving every team member access to structured growth. This includes a 14-module training programme alongside funded qualifications such as CIM, ACCA and Executive MBAs. We have also partnered with a specialist human performance consultancy on a 12-month coaching programme for all managers and our event team, building the resilience, clarity and collective strength that underpins a truly high-performing team.
Progression is just as important, which is why every team member has a personal development plan and we actively promote from within wherever possible. Many of our team have built long-term careers with us, growing into senior roles as the business has evolved. That continuity has been key not only to our culture, but also to the strength of our client relationships.
We also recognise that culture is about more than just development. That’s why we prioritise wellbeing through flexible working, Mental Health First Aiders and regular opportunities for the team to connect. Our hybrid model is built on trust, ensuring that whether someone is working remotely or in the office, they feel equally supported and part of the team.
And because we believe success should be shared by the people who create it, profit-related pay is available to everyone in the business, not just senior leadership. Our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion is embedded throughout the organisation, with women-led senior leadership helping to shape how we recruit and support our people.
Leadership that evolved with the business
Our Leadership Award nomination recognises the role our CEO and co-founder, Denise Sharpe, has played in shaping this culture. She has led the business through significant moments, including the shift during COVID, where we retained every client and protected every job.
Since then, we have continued to grow, expanding from 22 to 45 employees and creating new opportunities for both our clients and our team. She has also played a key role in defining and embedding our five core values – we put people first, we’re partners, we care, we challenge, we’re curious – ensuring they are reflected in everything from recruitment to client delivery.
The results of a strong culture
We’ve achieved Best Companies 1-Star Accreditation, which reflects very strong workplace engagement, alongside industry award wins and individual team members being recognised as rising leaders in the sector.
Our Net Promoter Score is 100, with every client saying they would recommend us and work with us again. Our average client relationship spans five years, with some partnerships lasting more than two decades. Over the past six years, revenue has grown from £1.4 million to £4.2 million.
For us, these outcomes are a direct result of our culture. When people feel valued and supported, they do their best work – and that creates stronger relationships, better results and long-term growth.
Looking ahead
Being shortlisted is recognition of the team behind that culture and the way we have chosen to build the business. It reflects years of trust, investment and a shared belief in doing things the right way, even when it may not always be the easiest route. Entering the awards gave us a valuable opportunity to step back and reflect on what we have built as a team, and the role our culture has played in that journey.
It also gives us the opportunity to celebrate the people behind that success. Our culture is not defined by policies or programmes alone, but by the individuals who bring it to life every day.
As we mark our 25th anniversary, we’ve found ourselves reflecting on the journey and, more importantly, the people who have shaped it. That founding belief – putting people first – still guides us today.
You can find out more about our work at www.outsourcedevents.com
