Freelance event manager · Cambridge, London and overseas
20 years running live events, from first brief to the last guest home.
Agencies book me to lead their events on site. Companies book me to plan and run the whole thing. Either way, you get a senior event manager from the first call to the final invoice.
Clients include
BarclaysCouttsJP MorganPwCLand SecuritiesSavillsStrykerYPOLGT Wealth ManagementCompare the MarketOrangeZyxelLVBGL InsuranceJust GroupHonda
Two ways to work with me
For event agencies
An experienced pair of hands for your project
- Event manager or on-site lead, by the day or for the project
- Crew and supplier briefings, registration, VIPs and transfers
- Your client looked after, under your brand
- I never approach agency clients directly
For companies
Your event, planned and run start to finish
- Brief, budget and venue search
- Supplier contracts and cost control
- Guest communications and registration
- On site throughout, in the UK or abroad
What I deliver
From 12 senior executives to 450 people on a riverbank.
Offsites and incentives
Leadership retreats and incentive trips across the UK and Europe.
- Hotels, dinners and private venues
- Activities, transfers and rooming lists
- VIP hosting
Conferences
Getting the message across, with the logistics out of sight.
- Registration and delegate management
- Speakers, AV and exhibition stands
- Run of show and on-site coordination
On-site event management
A senior lead running the day for you or your agency.
- Crew and supplier briefings
- Risk assessments and contingencies
- Client and guest care
Charity challenges and team days
Events that raise money and bring teams together.
- Treks, rows and dragon-boat races
- Sports and family fun days
- Safety planning for outdoor events
Gala dinners and receptions
Partner events, award nights and client receptions.
- Venue, catering and entertainment
- Guest lists and seating plans
- Registration on the night
Venue finding
Usually free to you: the venue pays the commission.
- Shortlists and site visits
- Contract negotiation
- UK and international
Recent work
2026 · Leadership programme, London
Stryker: 22 senior European executives
Three days at One Aldwych with Wimbledon hospitality, private dinners and VIP hosting.
2026 and 2027 · Freelance event support
Form the Future annual conference
Hinxton Hall, Wellcome Genome Campus: a 290-seat auditorium, 20 exhibition stands, registration and AV. Booked again for the 2027 conference.
2013–2026 · Charity challenges
Markerstudy Group (formerly BGL)
Annual challenges from the Lake District to the Jurassic Coast. Row the Thames raised £40,000 against a £30,000 target.
2023–2026 · Team and charity days
Just Group: up to 450 at Wimbledon Park
Sports days and dragon-boat races, plus charity walks in London and Belfast.
2022–2024 · Charity rowing challenges
LGT Wealth Management: 48 novice rowers
A charity rowing regatta on the Thames, run each year for three years.
2022 · Five-day UK programme
YPO Canada: 168 members and partners
Four Seasons Hampshire, dinners at 8 Northumberland Avenue and Farnham Castle, Guards Polo and a festival night. On site throughout.
Twenty years, in brief
- 2026–2027Form the Future annual conference. Freelance event support at Hinxton Hall, Wellcome Genome Campus. Booked again for 2027.
- 2026Stryker European leadership programme. 22 senior executives at One Aldwych, with Wimbledon hospitality and private dinners.
- 2023–2026Just Group. Sports days and dragon-boat races for up to 450 at Wimbledon Park, plus charity walks in London and Belfast.
- 2022–2024LGT Wealth Management. A charity rowing regatta on the Thames for 48 novice rowers, three years running.
- 2022YPO Canada. A five-day UK programme for 168 members and partners, from Four Seasons Hampshire to Farnham Castle.
- 2018–2026BGL and Markerstudy charity challenges. The Jurassic Coast, Yorkshire Three Peaks and a Lake District trek for 69.
- 2017YPO London retreat. 80 guests over four days: dinner in the White Tower at the Tower of London, rowing with Olympians and a session at Abbey Road.
- 2016–2019Orange Business Services. Client dinners and events in London.
- 2016–2021Buxted Construction. Team days and staff events.
- 2014BGL Row the Thames. Raised £40,000 against a £30,000 target. Also NetApp Insight, Berlin, freelance for Corporate Rewards.
- 2012–2015Zyxel, LV= and Checkpoint. Zyxel conferences, channel-partner events and team away days; LV= broker events; a 45-guest programme for Checkpoint.
- 2010–2013Rowing on the Thames. Team rowing events for Rohde & Schwarz and Clorox.
- 2007–2018Land Securities. Golf days, summer and Christmas parties, away days, a velodrome team event for 64 and the Westgate launch.
- 2007–2013Five Hats, freelance conference manager. Pharmaceutical investigator meetings in Tokyo, Chicago, New York, Buenos Aires, Singapore, Istanbul, Milan and Venice.
- 2007MGPA (Macquarie), Athens. A five-day incentive for 150 staff, with Sir Matthew Pinsent as keynote, a cruise to Aegina and a gala dinner.
- 2006–2011Sailing days and Cowes Week. Client sailing days on the Solent for RBC Capital Markets, Savills and Daniel Watney, and Cowes Week hospitality.
- 200612 Degrees founded. Before that: Parallel Blue, my first events role, and earlier careers in professional sailing and commercial property.
“Hands down, 12 Degrees is the best event planner I’ve ever used, period.”
“We’d consider Jen as an extension to our team and our ‘go-to’ when it comes to planning and executing these challenges.”
“It was an unforgettable and unique experience. A team building like no other.”
About me
I've rowed the Thames with Olympians, booked a private session at Abbey Road, brought Sir Matthew Pinsent to Athens and walked the Lake District with 69 fundraisers.
I founded 12 Degrees in Cambridge in 2006 and have spent 20 years planning events for companies across the UK and Europe. The big moments make good stories. What clients tend to remember is smaller: problems sorted before anyone saw them, and someone calm in charge on the day.
I now work as a freelance event manager, for agencies that need an experienced lead for a project and for companies that want their event in safe hands without hiring an agency.
Before events, I sailed professionally and worked in commercial property. I'm still a qualified Yachtmaster, which is how sailing days on the Solent ended up on the list. My first events role was at Parallel Blue, and I've run conferences as far afield as Tokyo and Buenos Aires.
I'm based in Cambridge, an hour from London, and travel wherever the event is.
- Day rate or fixed project fee
- From a single on-site day to a full programme
- 12 Degrees is a B1G1 giving partner
Planning an event?
Tell me the date, the numbers and the idea. I'll reply within a working day.