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In this episode we welcome Ben Keast, the UK Managing Director of Neptunus, one of the largest providers of event structures and temporary buildings worldwide.
With a lifelong interest in sport, he studied sports journalism at The University of Leeds, but his first job after graduating saw him working as an Events Assistant for Loughborough University, organising things like pie-eating competitions on the world-leading athletics track!
Ben has worked for only three main employers during his twenty year career in events, but this has seen him involved in a huge variety of projects in an array of different environments. Some of his favourites include Hillhead, Royal Ascot, the Rugby World Cup, NATO’s 70th Anniversary and the Royal International Air Tattoo. More recently he was involved in building the temporary Dragon’s Heart Hospital, demonstrating how the events industry steps up in a time of crisis and gets the job done, no matter what.
Here, Ben shares some of his stories and most valuable lessons, many of which emphasise the importance of getting along with people, being willing and able to muck in and, of course, always delivering (“there are no second chances!”).
One of Ben’s first bosses said about him “Ben’s skills include exemplary levels of service and building long-term relationships with clients and suppliers alike.” Fine praise indeed!
