Lucy Pittaway

My profile

Biography

Having completed her degree at the University of Gloucestershire, Lucy started her career in Front of House Management at the Barbican Centre, London. During her three years working on high profile events, Lucy found her passion for delivering quality service across the arts and corporate events world. Following a re-location to the north of England, Lucy worked on large scale corporate events for agencies across the UK, before settling at the Manchester Central Convention Complex as a Senior Events Manager. During her six years here, Lucy worked on multiple political party conferences, live TV shows such as the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent, Association congresses and exhibitions. 

Since 2013, Lucy has worked as a lecturer & then Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University, passing on her passion and enthusiasm for Events Management. She takes great satisfaction as Departmental Employability Lead to be the bridge between industry and education, ensuring that inspiring and fulfilling opportunities are available to all students across the department of OTEHM throughout their time studying at Manchester Met. A fundamental element of this is the Connect scheme co-led by Lucy, which includes the annual Connect Conference and the professional mentoring scheme, pairing event industry professionals with level 5,6 & 7 students with the desired outcome or boosting career readiness and expanding professional networks. 

Interests and expertise

Following three successful years of managing the Connect Mentoring scheme, my area of interest currently is understanding the value of mentoring to students within Higher Education, to enhancing their networks and employability opportunities. Research is underway with mentors and mentees working within the service industry to understand how the most successful mentoring relationships work and how they can ensure the best possible outcomes. 

Teaching

Having come from a Front of House and operational background, my teaching specialises in the successful and safe delivery of live events, from planning through to execution. Taking students on site visits to multiple event venues, to witness build and open phases is essential to their operational learning. With a passion for Business Events, we evaluate how destinations bid and plan for high profile and mega events.  

Marketing is an essential part of events, and as a result, it runs consistently throughout the degree programme at all levels. At level 5, student design their own live event which requires carrying out in-depth market research to their target market in order for students to design and plan an event which appeals to them. The marketing unit here requires students to design a creative marketing plan for their live event, ensuring current marketing methods and strategies are learnt about. 

Career history

2013 - to present

Senior Lecturer in Events Management 

2007 - 2013

Senior Events Manager - Manchester Central Convention Complex 

2006 - 2007

Corporate Events Manager - Your Events Ltd, Manchester. 

2003 - 2006

House Manager - The Barbican Centre, London.