About the Council Members

IAN BAIRD founded Whiskey Bravo Productions in Brighton in 2016 having worked in the outdoor events and theatrical industries for over a decade. Specialising in medium scale music-based events Ian has constantly strived for better relationships with local authorities and transparency in the planning and licensing processes. In joining the NOEA Council Ian is very keen to look at how the association can appeal more widely to small and independent operators and help in creating a secure events ecosystem that cares for all staff effectively. Especially in the post-COVID era there is a real opportunity to rebuild the industry in a better shape that it was left in early 2020.

CRIS CICIRELLO – Co-lead of Wasserman’s Experiential Division within EMEA, and a Senior Vice President within the company. I work as part of the wider marketing team, serving Brands and Properties (Rights Holders) across campaigns and activations. I have worked in around 50 countries over the last 23 years and really enjoyed working within different cultures. Our industry and the event specialism is always facing challenges and right now is no different. We have been members of NOEA for over ten years and are always keen to play a proactive role, improving our environment and ways of working, across areas such as safety, CSR and sustainability. I asked to join the NOEA council in order to try and help our industry as it moves towards the future and the new challenges it faces.

ANDREW MCQUILLAN – Managing Director, The Traffic management Company, Crowded Space Drones, CSD Productions. In my capacity of owning a drone & video production company, I am keen to support NOEA promotional activities in this area (as we have supported the annual conference) and also reactive video content for social media etc to help NOEA exploit new trends & topics. I also would like to support NOEA in policy development areas, especially linked to my areas where I believe I am competent: Drones Health & Safety Crowd Management Traffic Management I am also happy to help support NOEA exhibition attendance, such as the Event Production Show.

SARA PACEY – Events Development Manager, North Somerset Council. With almost 20 years in the Industry, Sara’s career started working on the co-ordination of a large scale, international outdoor event. Currently, as the Events Development Manager for a Local Authority working on major event curation & delivery, strategic development and Placemaking initiatives, she has had the privilege to work with a wide range of organisers from Air Festivals and Motorsports to Hot Air Ballooning and Marathons. Having volunteered on NOEA events for the past several years, she has seen the great work the association does, and is now looking forward to working with the Committee to support and engage the wider industry.

MARK SANDAMAS – Founder, Pennine Events Ltd. Mark brings over 30 years’ experience of creating, managing, planning and delivering mass and complex events such as delivery of Tour de France stages, UCI World Champs and Light up Lancaster; growing the company to a highly respected agency across Sport, Culture and Corporate live events and strategy development. Mark is also owner and managing director of Coast to Coast Packhorse, leading provider of dedicated walking, cycling and running packages, holidays and services on the world-famous Coast to Coast and is a keen fell runner and cyclist in his spare time. “I am thrilled to utilise my insight and expertise to build on -and compliment- the work of the current leadership through these difficult times, to ensure suitable and sufficient support and a collaborative way forward for each member by building effective partnerships. I am also looking forward to playing an active role in the development and organising of the Conference and Annual Awards.”