Meet Our Team
“Teamwork really does make the dream work”
In 2014 Horizon Leeds was merely a concept. A proposal going in front of the Board of NHS Confederation. Megan MacBrairdy and Tracey Gibson eagerly anticipated confirmation that their vision for a new kind of events venue had been signed off. The paint colours, furniture, technology and brand approach were carefully chosen. Sifted from many years’ experience of professional conference and event production; celebrating the good and banishing the bad, to create an outstanding venue with a technology led approach. The Board saw the vision – Megan and Tracey were good to go.
Our clients repeatedly tell us that Horizon feels like a second home, and this is exactly what we have tried to create; a place where the focus is always the delegate experience.
Once our doors were open we quickly realised that we needed an extra pair of hands on the team. Having worked previously with Megan at a national event agency, Natalie Pitts joined the team, bringing the same values and strong customer-focus that we prize. And that was it, the core team was formed or, as a client once referred to us, Horizon Leeds’ answer to Charlie’s Angels!
Since opening our doors in 2014, our teamwork and dedication to delegate experience is the reason we have maintained 100% customer satisfaction.
Today, many of our clients trust us to manage their event on their behalf, which frees them up to focus on their other day-to-day tasks. As our team have been here since the doors opened, you know that you are always speaking to the right people. Put simply: people who know the venue inside out and are passionate about what they do.
Whether that’s Megan about your event concept, Tracey about your contract or Natalie on the day, you will always speak to someone who fully understands your event and can make dynamic decisions without needing to checkin with an executive or off-site management team. There’s nothing much our team won’t do to ensure your event isn’t anything other than wonderful.
Megan MacBrairdy
Venue Sales & Marketing Manager
Horizon Leeds started with Megan. Recruited in 2014 to scope out whether creating a dedicated conference centre was a feasible project, Megan worked with a design team to create the look and feel of the space and project managed the build right through to completion and launch.
Today, you will find Megan guiding and supporting clients to get the most from Horizon’s space and facilities, collaborating with event professionals and creating marketing content around the day-to-day and long-term vision of the space. Very much hands-on, Megan still loves to work an operational shift. When she isn’t at work you will find her planning her next renovation project, or, in the Lake District chasing after her two little girls.
Favourite room at Horizon Leeds: “Inspire@ without a doubt. With its incredible views, bright orange wall, fidget toys and 75inch touch screen. It makes me smile every time I walk in.”
Favourite menu item: “I love the baked lemon and salted salmon fillet, spring onion and potato chive salad ‘food from scratch’ box, but my ultimate favourite is the deep-fried spiced wraps with hummus. Trust me they are amazing!”
Favourite type of event to organise: “A large internal away day where I can really collaborate with the client to ensure that their objectives are achieved for all their delegates.”
Natalie Pitts
Facilities & Venue Operations Manager
Natalie has been with Horizon Leeds since October 2014. Currently, you will find Natalie organising the Operations Team to make sure all the events meet and exceed delegate expectations and that a high level of customer service is maintained. Natalie is your go to for all logistics, operations and Health & Safety queries. When she isn’t at work, you’ll find her hitting PBs in the gym, walking in the dales or planning her next holiday.
Favourite room at Horizon Leeds: “Create@, so spacious and flexible, the space is a blank canvas with tons of potential, just ready and waiting for clients to create their vision.”
Favourite menu item: “Baked salted Salmon and potato salad bowl… One word for this dish – EPIC. However, I am a sucker for the chocolate pots, but I can never stop at one!”
Favourite type of event to organise: “Any event with a lot of moving parts. I’m talking exhibition, icebreakers, breakout sessions and closing with drinks and canapes. I love being able to really get involved, being creative and helping to bring events to life.”
Tracey Gibson
Reservations Co-ordinator
Tracey is the Reservations Co-ordinator for Horizon Leeds and manages enquiries coming in from our website contact form, live chat, telephone, and email. Before launch, Tracey was heavily involved in sourcing items for the venue and taking minutes at the planning meetings. Outside work, you will find Tracey practising her photography skills, at gigs with friends or getting her nails creatively painted to match the Horizon Leeds colours.
Favourite room at Horizon Leeds: “Think@ I love the opulent feel with dark wood furnishings, purple wall and fantastic view over Leeds.”
Favourite menu item: “One of our delicious vegan ‘food from scratch’ bowls – sweet potato falafel, cranberries, caramelised onion humous and pea shoots.”
Favourite type of event to organise: “I enjoy the events which have interesting team building activities, such as scavenger hunts or puzzle solving.”
Emily Hobbs
Office and Venue Operations Coordinator
Emily has been with Horizon Leeds since July 2022. Bringing valuable experience from a live music background, you’ll find her setting up conference spaces or on the venue floor coordinating activity and always willing to help. When not at work, Emily can be found enjoying the great outdoors with her friends and family, visiting theme parks with her partner, adding to her large LEGO collection, or nurturing her houseplants!
Favourite room at Horizon Leeds: “Meet@ as well as being home to my favourite thing in the world, coffee, the fantastic view of Leeds landmarks and comfortable seating make it feel like home to me.”
Favourite menu item: “The salmon fishcakes… I love seafood, and the fishcakes are to die for!”
Favourite type of event to organise: “Anything technology heavy. I come from a background working with audio visual (AV) technology and love to get involved with events combining all sorts of technical elements.”
Emma Walter
Events Marketing Manager
(NHS Confederation)
Emma is the Event Marketing Manager at NHS Confederation and oversees the marketing campaigns for Horizon Leeds. From our vibrant website to our informative social media channels, Emma is responsible for approving and managing the creative development of all marketing materials.
When she isn’t working, you will find Emma sipping cocktails and dining out in the city centre with her friends and family.
Favourite room at Horizon: “Meet@. From the unlimited coffee and delicious biscuits to the comfortable seating areas and stunning views of Leeds, it’s hard not to love!”
Favourite menu item from Horizon: “I would have to go with the goat cheese and caramelised red onion tart or the chocolate pots – they are UNREAL!”
Danni Carr
Senior Events Marketing Officer
(NHS Confederation)
Danni works on the print and online marketing strategy for Horizon Leeds. Focusing on planning and creating content for fortnightly newsletters, the website and social media; aiming to keep all content informative and packed with value for anyone interested in Horizon Leeds’s capabilities and facilities.
When Danni isn’t at work you will find her watching an array of sports, from rugby union to athletics and F1, as well as spending time with family and friends.
Favourite room at Horizon Leeds: “Think@, which is why you’ll see it features quite a bit across our content. the feel, the colours, and the view, what’s not to love?”
Favourite menu item: “You’ve got to love a picnic, so I would say a selection from the working buffet. Personal favourite is the sage and pork sausage rolls. Trust me, they are amazing!“
Favourite type of event: “I have a passion for events and marketing, so seeing everyone and everything come together on the day is what makes events so special.”
If you would like to meet the team and have a tour of the Horizon Leeds, either in person or virtually, please email sales@horizonleeds.co.uk.
Always on hand to help, no matter how large or small the meeting or conference, we pride ourselves in responding within 48 hours to any query, so do get in touch to discuss your next event.
