Published by Sue Johns-Chapman
Published Date 19.05.2026 
As Outsourced Events celebrate our 25th anniversary year, we’re incredibly proud to share that our CEO and co-founder, Denise Sharpe, has won the Leadership Award at the UK Company Culture Awards 2026. Alongside this, we were also shortlisted in the Best Agency to Work For category, making the recognition feel even more meaningful.
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 over 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
The leadership approach recognised by Denise’s award can be seen across the wider business and how we support our team day to day. We invest more than £90,000 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.
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.
Denise has also championed an approach to culture that goes beyond professional development alone – 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
Denise’s Leadership Award win recognises the role she has played in shaping both the culture and long-term direction of Outsourced Events over the past 25 years. She has led the business through significant moments, including the shift during COVID, where we retained every client and protected jobs.
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.
Denise Sharpe, CEO of Outsourced Events said: “Winning this Leadership Award feels really special, particularly in our 25th year.
I’ve never seen leadership as having all the answers or being the loudest person in the room. For me, it’s always been about showing up, supporting people, staying calm when things get difficult, and trying to make a positive difference however I can.
I also know I could never have achieved this without my business partner and best friend, Alex. We’ve built this together, always sharing the same values and belief in the kind of business and culture we wanted to create.”
There have definitely been stressful moments and challenges along the way, so being recognised like this genuinely means a lot. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and very grateful to work with such brilliant people who constantly motivate and support me.
I am very excited for what the future will bring as a team.”
The results of a strong culture
Denise’s Leadership Award win reflects not only the culture we have built internally, but also the results that culture has delivered for our team, clients and business over time. 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 seven years, revenue has grown from £1.4 million to £5.2 million.
For us, these outcomes are a direct reflection of the people-first culture Denise has helped shape over the past 25 years. When people feel valued and supported, they do their best work – and that creates stronger relationships, better results and long-term growth.
Looking ahead
Winning the Leadership Award is a proud moment for everyone at Outsourced Events and an opportunity for us to reflect on the journey we have been on over the past 25 years. For us, the recognition reflects years of trust, investment and a shared belief in building a business centred around people, partnership and long-term relationships. It also provided an opportunity to step back and reflect on the culture we have built together and the role it has played in shaping the business today.
Most importantly, the award is recognition of the people behind that culture. Our success has always been driven by the individuals who bring our values to life every day through the way they support one another, work with clients and contribute to the wider business.
As we mark our 25th anniversary, we’ve found ourselves reflecting not only on how far we’ve come, but also on the people who have shaped that journey along the way. That founding belief of putting people first still guides us today and will continue to shape the future of Outsourced Events for years to come.
You can find out more about our work at www.outsourcedevents.com
