Our Events Specialists

eric alexander, events managing director

Events Industry Experience:

6

Years with G4S:
13 years 

Specialist Areas:

When moving to the events team I came from a commercial manager background and was the driving force behind making the events function run more efficient and compliant. My strong suit is project management and I was able to bring a strategic perspective to the planning and execution. Through my organisation skills I can ensure seamless project delivery for all types of events from festivals to the G8 Summit, while maintain due diligence and compliance throughout.  

What has been your career path with G4S?

Aviation

Commercial manager Scotland north of England – Group 4

Regional director

Most Memorable Moments:

My most memorable moments are working on the really big sites like the Commonwealth games, G8 Summit and Nato. With these big event they need a huge amount of staff which takes a lot of work organising. For the Commowealth games they required 2000 staff over 14 days, meaning we had to rent out a field near by and build a mini village to accommodate all of the staff. These villages had everything you could imagine – road structures, toilets, caravans, transport services, health care, tuck shops and the list goes on. You name it we had it!

Best Part of Your Job

There are so many aspects about my job that I really enjoy, no two days are the same which keeps it fun and exciting. I have a great team who really value team work and all have a lot of respect for each other and their differing ability and skill sets. Throughout the role I have had the opportunity to meet so many amazing people and see some amazing sites!  

mark grant, operations director

Events Industry Experience:

26 years

Years With G4S:

24 years

Previous Background:

HM Forces

Specialist Area:

Large complex events with variable dynamics, varying from audience profile, location and customer expectation.

What has been your career path with G4S?

Started as a Manager and worked way up to be Operational Director

Events Managed Year On Year:

23 years of delivering Aintree Racecourse - Grand National

“Working on this event the event brings challenges every year as the customer is always looking to improve customer experience and footfall. This event has a different dynamic on each of the 3 days that you have to continually be pushing the boundaries and working to ever higher standards to maintain achieving.”

Cricket

“ I have responsibility for 3 of the major test grounds. I work to achieve a systematized solution across all sites. On major match days, when the England Cricket Board arrives on site, they can see not only the same faces but critically the same processes and procedures being used. This assures them of a safe and smoothly run event each time.”

Challenging Sites:

Manchester City Football Club

“We secure the sites multiple venues all year rounds. The complexity of the site is that they don't just do football. This is a fast moving businesses with many moving parts and internal stakeholders that have their own agenda, challenges and budgets. They run charity events, under 21’s tournaments and fantastic summer concerts which demand a different dynamic approach each time.”

Most Memorable Moments:

The pope's visit to Birmingham

“I was given the opportunity to produce the plan to secure the college where he was having lunch and Mass in the grounds. This was a closed visit and so we were working alongside the Police, Foreign Office and The Vatican, to ensure that his time at the college was as free and open as possible. I received a sealed letter after the event with gratitude from The Vatican. That was a great surprise.”

Global Gathering in 2011

“The weather was so bad that the site was completely flooded and we had to abandon the area 3 days before the event went live. We worked with the promoter around the clock to help get the site ready. It was a massive challenge and meant that all the staff took on additional jobs, supporting the crew and cleaners to prepare the site in time. The event opened a success and was a tremendous achievement for the customer. I have never been that wet for that long in my life. Funny.”

Best Part Of Your Job:

“Working with our team of managers, supervisors and staff that get up day after day, working hard for G4S, the customer and their colleagues, to deliver world class events every time.”

Adriaan Brynard, regional manager, england - south

Events Industry Experience:

12 years

Years with G4S:

12 years

Specialist Area:

High Profile Events

Previous Background:

”I studied Marketing Management in South Africa and then went into Forex Trading. I ended up working for Barclays in London before moving to G4S.“

Events Managed Year On Year:

• Annual Party Conferences
• DSEI - (worlds’ largest Security and Arms fairs)
• Farnborough International Air Show
• ICE
• BBC Good Food Show
• Olympia International Horse Show
• G8 Northern Ireland
• G20 London
• Pope's Visit Hyde Park
• NATO in Wales

What has been your career path with G4S?

“I started as a steward in car park 4 during the 2004 Wimbledon Championships. I joined the company internal supervisor training, on finishing I took my first supervisory role looking after Pinewood Studios. One of my first challenges, I remember was a fire incident on the James Bond set prior to filming been completed! Needless to say we dealt with it 

After this, I moved on to managing Ascot and various other contracts before going on the management courses including the FDA degree level in Crowd Safety Management through the business.”

Most Memorable Moments:

“For me it has to be managing the private security elements of some of the largest security / political events including NATO Summit in Wales, G8 in Northen Ireland and the G20 in London.”

Best Part of Your Job: 

“Meeting new people daily”

Chris burr, regional manager, england - west

Events Industry Experience:

12 years

Years With G4S:

12 years. Started off as a casual job / work experience when studying at university and got hooked.

Previous Background:

Undergraduate at Glasgow Caledonian University studying Sports and Event Management

Specialist Area:

Experience across all aspects of live entertainment and events. Stadiums, be it football or concerts due to both Hampden and Murrayfield being in portfolio allows great opportunities. I have been involved in festivals and music since I joined and have performed gold and silver roles at these events. TITP, Hyde Park, Summer Sessions, Download, V Festival....

What has been your career path with G4S?

Started off as work experience working as a steward. Really enjoyed it and got the opportunity to progress to supervisor. After graduating in 2007, I applied for trainee operations manager role and joined the management team full time. I then completed a Foundation degree in crowd safety management and progressed to Ops Manager in 2009 and Regional manager in 2013.

Events Managed Year On Year:

BST Hyde Park - Glasgow Summer Sessions - Scottish Cup Final

Most Memorable Moments:

BST Hyde Park - "Its an awesome show, great location and the dressing on site makes it really unique". 

Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games - "We delivered 100% over the 14 days at all venues and events. The year of planning all paid off and it was a massive success for the city and G4S".

Best Part Of Your Job:

"I enjoy the variety of the role. Different projects and accounts, along with different events on the same contracts. Each event is different and can throw up different challenges. I really enjoy the customer interaction and seeing the planning come to fruition on show days. Be it football, Rugby or Music. Customers come have a great time and leave safely."  

paul manson, regional manager, england - north

Events Industry Experience:

12 years

Years with G4S:
12 years started with previous company Rocksteady and following the acquisition by G4S advance through the years to Regional Manager.

Specialist Areas:

• Fortunate to have experienced a huge range of diverse and special events but have specialised in Live Concert/Festival and Greenfield Event Planning and Crowd Management. Worked alongside a number of football clubs from conference to Premiership level and worked hard to gain a strong reputation of delivering complex road race and cycle events across marathon and long distances for major sport event organisers and a host of charity related events

Previous Background:

“I studied event management at Sheffield Hallam University and worked on and with Live Events ever since.”

Events Managed Year On Year:

• Grand National at Aintree
• HoS for Cuffe &Taylor Concerts and Festivals
• Football- Match Day Staffing at Burnley, Middlesbrough, Manchester City, Huddersfield, Leeds and Preston FC
• British Summer Time at Hyde Park

What has been your career path with G4S?

“I started working in stewarding and security at Sheffield Arena, various football grounds, summer festivals and outdoor concerts whilst at university. I was promoted to a supervisor after a season and then when I finished university, a junior manager’s position became available. After two years, I was an operations manager, and in 2013 applied and was successful for the Regional Managers position for the North of England.”

Most Memorable Moments:

Rod Stewarts last tour
“Heading up the security operation, working in advance with 8 different stadiums, different providers and G4S staff.”

Inaugural F1 race at Yas Marina Abu Dhabi
“Working as team leader for 35 staff, on track with the executive protection team and our in country G4S colleagues from the UAE, who provided over 1,200 staff from across the emirates to deliver a fantastic event at a new venue in high temperatures and difficult conditions” 

Achieving a FD in Crowd Management
“Completing my Foundation Degree in Crowd Management at BUCS university whilst working through one of our busiest seasons.”

Best Part of Your Job

“I love the variety and it constantly provides me with challenges. I enjoy problem solving, so with events, customer requirements and working for a PLC, I get to do this on a daily basis. Working on the best events in the UK and have built fantastic friends in and outside the company in the industry.”

sam bryce, regional manager, scotland 

Events Industry Experience:

30 years

Years With G4S:

Joined Rock Steady in January 1988 which was later acquired by G4S in March 2008.

Previous Background:

Joiner / builder

Specialist Area:

Football, large scale sports, rave/dance music events

What has been your career path with G4S?

Started on the doors at concerts, where I quickly became supervisor and then senior supervisor.  I then joined the management team, progressing from Operations manager to Regional Manager in 2012.

Events Managed Year On Year:

• The Open
• Edinburgh's Hogmanay
• International Rugby
• The Melrose 7's
• Torchlight Procession
• Great North Run

Most Memorable Moments:

My most memorable event was the MTV awards in Edinburgh in 2003, I put a lot of effort into the planning of this event and it went really well.

Another moment was Madness at Ingliston December 1992, where there was a riot between bands (a real learning curve) and Zarah Phillips wedding July 2011, brought in last minute by the local authority and assisted with the police operation.

Best Part Of Your Job:

I have looked after a few celebrity weddings around Scotland and escorted many stars to and from venues around the country. Also looking after the security of the Scottish Football Team and supporters in the World Cup France 1998.