Thank you, thank you, thank you both so much for helping us with such a fantastic evening. It was a phenomenal success and we raised a huge amount of money which will pay for thousands of children's operations.

Operation Smile

Mike Kershaw - Chairman

Mike Kershaw is the Chairman of The Concerto Group and former President of the UK Chapter of ISES. A graduate of London University, Mike started his career in events in 1983 with Event Management Group before setting up The Ultimate Experience with Guy Rodger in 1989. Ten years later he was instrumental in the creation of The Concerto Group and worked as Group Sales Director before being appointed Chairman in 2005. A very experienced event planner and party designer, he has overseen the expansion of the Group's brand portfolio and the development of numerous venues across London.

Philip Milne - Group Operations Director

Educated at Exeter and Sandhurst, Philip served with the 14th/20th King's Hussars until 1986 when he set up Business Pursuits with Sam Gill. Very experienced in event design and delivery, Philip, as Group Operations Director, now takes full responsibility for IT systems, general operations and Health and Safety issues across the group, including the design and management of the ground-breaking Business Management System, which forms the heart of the group's event delivery system.

Sam Gill - Group Marketing Director

Following four years in advertising, Sam left the industry to co-found Business Pursuits Event Management in 1986. Sam now oversees the Group's venue sales and marketing strategy and managed the re-brand of Plaisterers' Hall following Create's appointment in 2007, in addition to running The Ultimate Experience, the Group's main London-based events and venue management brand.

Richard Groves - Joint Managing Director, Create

After a peripatetic career in hotels, bars and a stint as a chef, Richard worked for an event catering company until 1988 when he set up Richard Groves Catering & Events (RGC&E). Following the merger with The Ultimate Experience and Business Pursuits to form The Concerto Group in 1999, RGC&E was re-named Create Food Ltd in May 2001. Richard has ensured that the principles of imaginative food, a unique design service and exemplary, courteous and flexible service have been adhered to as the company has grown exponentially to an annual turnover in excess of £9 million. Richard is on the Board of The Concerto Group, is a Past President of The International Special Events Society (ISES), is on the ISES International Relations Committee and a Visit London Business Champion.

Caroline Gardiner - Joint Managing Director, Create

Caroline trained at L'Ecole de Cuisine Francais in Sussex, before starting a career in outside catering. After several years of working for outside catering companies around the country she joined Richard Groves as Head Chef to concentrate on the style and presentation of food. Caroline oversees all aspects of catering delivery including the creation and delivery of superb quality and innovative menus and maintaining excellent event staffing.

Mark Greaves - CEO and Group Finance Director

Mark qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand, having graduated from Durham University with a joint honours degree in French and Russian. He joined SG Warburg in the corporate finance department and became an Executive Director responsible for the Consumer Products sector. Mark left SBC Warburg in 1997 and joined Business Pursuits as Group Finance Director. Since then, he has masterminded the formation of The Concerto Group in 1999.

Guy Rodger - Deputy Chairman

Having read Business Studies at Edinburgh University, Guy traded commodity futures in the City for three years before setting up The Ultimate Experience with Mike Kershaw in 1989. A broad knowledge of the events industry and great experience of party design, Guy remains very 'hands on', focusing on The Concerto Group's operations outside of London.