Fact file:
Name: Melanie Simm
Job: Sponsorship and VIP manager at Bolesworth Events
Born: Liverpool
Lives: Chester
Family: Partner James Penman, son Luke, 15, and daughter Marni, three
Working three days a week creates a perfect work/life balance for me.
The office is based at Bolesworth Castle which is absolutely stunning. Driving up to the office each morning is quite breathtaking – views I don’t think I will ever take for granted. I’ve spent most of my working life doing equestrian events and spent most of my social life with horses, friends and family so feel that work and life certainly have a huge cross-over.
In my role I am responsible for commercial revenue – managing and developing a portfolio of clients, nurturing relationships, establishing sponsors’ requirements, tailoring packages to ensure integration of brands into each event, maximising hospitality income and coordinating VIP rider packages. My working days are mostly office based liaising with all of our clients, sponsors, competitors, VIPs, drawing up proposals, contracts, negotiating deals, securing bookings, internal and external meetings, and implementing packages.
Living the thrill of each event after months of hard work gives a real sense of job satisfaction to my role. I am now full steam ahead with preparations for the Equestrian.com Liverpool International Horse Show which runs over New Year at the Echo Arena. This is super exciting after the success of last year and is keeping me super busy. I am already full and running a waiting list for competitors, and hospitality is nearly sold out.
Whilst I used to enjoy many a lunch appointment, complemented with a glass or two of fizz, lunches are quite rare now with being part-time and both of our events growing so vastly. We have already commenced planning for the 2017 CSI**** Bolesworth International in June and have reserved the sunshine for the week. I am certain the whole team will all be enjoying a few glasses of fizz to celebrate another successful year.
I have two children; my eldest, Luke – he’s my best friend and I am now his personal taxi driver, and my youngest, Marni who spends every minute of my non-working life with me generally dressed up as a princess or in a party dress regardless of our plans which normally includes dancing, outdoor activities, riding her pony and helping me with the horses. My partner, James, also spends his life with horses as a self-employed farrier so our shoeing bills are very cheap. His business also crosses over with his hobbies – playing polo in the summer and shooting in the winter.
Socially we enjoy dinner parties with our friends, the races, polo and hunt balls.
What do you wear to do your job? I love fashion and have four very full wardrobes of clothes. My outfits vary depending on my mood and activities planned for the day – from uber glam to very casual.
What is the favourite part of your job? I still get a buzz from securing a new sponsor and developing relationships, I am definitely a people person and love dealing with all of my clients.
What is the least favourite part of your job? Definitely paperwork.
What would be your dream job if you weren’t doing what you do now? I would have loved to have been a professional (modern) dancer!
How do you relax when you are not working? I don’t do relaxing very well, always on the go, either out with the horses competing, training for competitions, hacking around the countryside or activities with the family
What is your favourite film? Dance films from Dirty Dancing to Step Up.
What is your favourite book? Don’t have time to read.
What is your favourite song? Anything on the radio – changes weekly!
If a film was made of your life, who would you like to play you? Sienna Miller.
Have you had your 15 minutes of fame yet? I attended the Audi Polo, met Prince William and was featured in OK Magazine.
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