Sarah Thackray is originally from London and moved the North East to study modern languages at Newcastle University. She has spent more than 17 years working on a range of conferences and events across the UK as well as in the Middle East. In 2014 she co-founded Newcastle-based Beaconhouse Events.
What was your first job (and how much did it pay)? If you don’t count babysitting, probably waitressing from age 15 for a friend of my mum who had a catering business. I have no memory of what I got paid but at the time I thought it was decent, London hourly rates!
What is the best advice or support you’ve been given in business? Believe in your convictions if you’re sure something has potential. Look to collaborate at every corner; you are stronger if you have support and alignment with other like minded people. Don’t get hooked on the opinion of one person who doesn’t think you’re doing the right thing – focus on the 100 others.
What are the main changes you’ve seen in your business/sector, and what are the challenges you’re facing? Our industry is fast paced and one that suffered badly in Covid but due to our resilience as event professionals we quickly moved to a new solution and pivoted to deliver everything in a hybrid world. Sustainability and delivering responsible, regenerative events is now one of the key priorities for many in the events world, to ensure we do our part to decrease carbon emissions, as well as adopting more community focused, audience led, purposeful experiences.
What would your dream job be? I think I am lucky in my role that I have been able to build a job that I absolutely love and can focus on things that I am passionate about. I am motivated by creating partnerships and building impact through collaboration and purpose driven activities, so perhaps I’d do something in the community or charity sector, making a real, tangible impact in people’s lives.
What advice would you give to someone starting out a career in your sector? Get experience wherever you can, make connections and follow up. People are willing to give you experience, advice and we want you to love our industry. So reach out, don’t be afraid. But remember, everyone needs to be prepared to work hard and get their hands dirty in our sector, we’ve all done it – and many of us still do it whatever our level.
What makes the North East a good place to do business? It’s just so collaborative, people are really friendly and are mostly open to new ideas, ways of working and project ideas. I am from London originally but the North East definitely has something special, its people. I consider myself an adopted Geordie these days.
How important is it for business to play a role in society? This is one of the most important roles business should play in my view. Business has a critical opportunity to enable progress by raising key issues with their stakeholders (clients, suppliers and partners) and we often have the platform and profile to champion key issues, and drive positive change for society. I think ‘doing good’ should be part of legislation for all businesses.
Outside of work, what are you really good at? I am a busy and hands on mum, stepmum, partner and volunteer. If I am not playing netball or volunteering at my local junior park run, you’ll find me mainly supporting my children’s sporting activities at the sidelines of football and rugby pitches or at running tracks, usually in my waterproof trousers!
Who would play you in a film about your life? No idea! I don’t watch many films. But I do resonate with the chaotic mum from Motherland, Anna Maxwell Martin. So probably her.