Partner Article

Bdaily explores R&B Group

In this series of interviews, Bdaily will dip into the world of events and production business, R&B Group. This second installment is a chat with Head of Projects, Richard Goodaire, who tells us about his role, and how R&B Group stay at the forefront of their industry.

“I manage the project team and tend to focus on the larger events that we do. The process can start with brainstorm first, and then getting the relevant team together from there. We’ll then take a set of ideas to the client to take the project forward.”

Richard tells us he often employs his own expertise as the first tool in the project planning processes.

“We have 3D visualisation software, so we can show them exactly how the ideas will look. On top of this, I use my own experience. I’ve been with R&B Group for over 16 years, and have a good spread of contacts across the industry, so keeping touch with them is a good tool. I can adapt and modify ideas and bring them together with our own to get the best fit for the client.

“Because we do a lot of repeat business with clients, I generally have a good idea of where the client’s spend will go towards. Some will be quite clear that they are looking for the ‘wow’ factor, and they want their guests to be impressed on arrival.”

R&B’s wide range of functions and services mean each project can differ quite significantly, and Richard suggests that budgets are regaining strength to accommodate for more innovation in events.

“We can do a pitch proposal, and sometimes this might include bronze, silver and gold levels, where we tempt the client with offerings. There is an element of upsell, and this was a lot harder during the recession, but something that has become easier since.

“Our thinking is that we’re only as good as our last event, and because of that, we’re always striving to be as creative as we can in our solutions.

“A good example is a recent conference we did for SAGE. While it was relatively small, with perhaps 30 to 40 delegates, it was for some of the most senior company representative. SAGE had taken over an entire five star hotel in Whitby, and it was our job to ensure everything was on top form.

“The client wanted daylight throughout the conference so we facilitated that, and even lit the grounds of the hotel at night, so guests could enjoy them from the balcony.”

The attention to detail required to execute each project is huge, and Richard tells us that he can be involved in any aspect, right down to the type of cutlery used, and needs to remain responsive to any ideas from the client. As he puts it: “We have a “don’t say no” policy.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .