Forum Events at 30: Celebrating Gill’s Lasting Legacy
As Forum Events celebrates its 30th anniversary, it is fitting to recognise the people whose passion, dedication, and entrepreneurial spirit helped shape the business from its earliest days. Among them is Gill, whose contribution to Forum Events spans sales leadership, marketing innovation, and the creation of a company culture that remains a defining characteristic of the business today.
Joining Forum Events shortly after its launch in 1996, Gill stepped into the role of Sales Manager at a time when the company was still finding its feet. Working alongside founder Paul Rowney and a small, determined team, she played an instrumental role in building momentum for what was then a pioneering concept within the events industry.
Known for her tenacity, drive, and infectious enthusiasm, Gill quickly established herself as a natural leader. Her ability to motivate colleagues, encourage high performance, and create an enjoyable working environment helped lay the foundations for a culture that balanced commercial success with genuine team spirit.
Reflecting on those formative years, Gill recalls a very different business landscape.
“The early days, with Paul, Gill and myself when there were just the three of us—plus the occasional baby in a car seat propped up in the corner of the office—were hard but fun. We started off in a tiny office barely big enough for three desks at Mill Studios in Ware, gradually moving floor by floor through the building as we grew.”
Like many successful start-ups, Forum Events was built on determination, resourcefulness, and a willingness to do whatever was required to make things happen.
“It was all hands on deck then, including our kids. My daughter still remembers climbing over the wall at Mill Studios on a Sunday morning because I’d forgotten the gate code, just so we could stuff envelopes. There was no email then, and she earned £2 for her efforts! She must have enjoyed it though—she still works at Forum today, although hopefully the wages have improved since then.”
During her time with the business, Gill’s influence extended far beyond sales management. As Forum Events expanded, she went on to establish and develop the company’s marketing function, helping to position the brand within its growing marketplace. Drawing on her deep understanding of both customers and the hosted-buyer model, she played a central role in shaping early campaigns and supporting the launch of new events.
She also witnessed the evolution of Forum’s events from international destinations to the focused business model that continues to drive success today.
“We held forums in Portugal, Malta and Switzerland, but quickly realised that the face-to-face meetings themselves were incentive enough. The quality of the networking and business opportunities mattered more than the location.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Gill is remembered for the vibrant and collaborative culture she helped create. Her commitment to developing people left a lasting impact on colleagues, many of whom went on to build long and successful careers within the business.
One memory that particularly stands out is her interview with one of Forum’s long-serving team members.
“I remember interviewing Sarah when she was a fresh-faced 18-year-old. She showed so much potential and ambition that the job was immediately hers. It probably helped that, out of six candidates scheduled that day, she was the only one who turned up!”
After making a significant contribution to Forum Events’ growth and success, Gill eventually moved on to pursue new business ventures before later embracing retirement. Today, she enjoys spending time with her family, travelling, playing golf, and making memories with her grandchildren.
Looking back, she reflects warmly on her time with the company:
“I had a lot of happy days at Forum and hold many fond memories—too many to list. Eventually COVID came, retirement called, and these days golf, holidays and enjoying my grandchildren, in no particular order, fill my time. But thank you Forum, thank you Paul, and God bless you Gill for the memories. Cheers to you all.”
As Forum Events marks three decades in business, Gill’s story serves as a reminder of the entrepreneurial spirit, resilience, and sense of family that helped transform a small office in Ware into one of the UK’s most established hosted-buyer event businesses. Her contribution remains an important part of the company’s history and a valued chapter in the Forum Events story.
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