About

Claire Drakeley

Entrepreneur, Academic, Events Professional, Polymath

My CV is below if you fancy a read…but there is always much more to someone than this. By way of a snapshot of me, I am a mum, daughter, sister, partner, friend. And I am a neuro-divergent polymath (many strings to my proverbial bow) who is curious about the world around her. I love making great things happen, especially if I can use my brain to solve problems, develop ideas and make a difference.

I love drinking red wine with delicious cheeses. I love being in, on or by the water. I love reading and learning. I love being with my family and friends. And now you know that, please do read my CV too!

I am an experienced and dynamic business leader, focused on achieving sustainable positive impact. As a strategic connector, I transform the component parts of organisations and projects to maximise the benefits, mitigate the risks and embrace opportunities.

EXPERIENCE

University of Northampton – Programme Lead and Senior Lecturer, Deputy Head of Subject     

As part of a team of 10 academic staff, I lead the BA(Hons) Events Management course at the University and teach across all levels, specialising in event design, event operations, finance, risk management and business practice. I particularly focus on our industry engagement, knowledge exchange projects and raising the profile of our Programme.

80% Awesome Enterprises – Director                  

My Co-Director, Rachel Picken, and I have long been working together and exploring the application of Agile Project Management methodology beyond the bounds of software development. In doing this, we have developed a number of Agile tools that are about enabling us to live at optimum effectiveness.  That is, live and work at 80% awesome.  We now run workshops, sell and promote our tools, and support our online community of awesome people

Milton Keynes Ice Hockey Club – Chief Executive Officer 
01/05/2019 – 01/02/2022          

In April 2019, an opportunity arose to be part of a consortium bid to lead and manage the senior professional ice hockey team at Milton Keynes, competing in the National Ice Hockey League: National Division.  As CEO, I chaired the Board, led the team and pushed forward our strategic priorities.

English National Ballet – Head of Business Development & Events  
19/6/18 – 10/5/20

My role was developed in order to start-up a new business strand for the company to take advantage of their new, fit-for-purpose facilities at London City Island as well as other commercial opportunities.  I focused on building sustainable growth in income streams including space hire and bespoke events, dovetailing the commercial mindset with the Company’s core artistic objectives.  In doing this, I optimised the efficiency and effectiveness of the company events programme, raising quality and building a dynamic team to maximise the opportunities in the new building.

Mackerel Sky Events – Executive Producer    
27/7/07 – 31/7/18

Having founded the company in 2007, I led the organisation through start up and development to become Mackerel Sky Events – a creative events agency working throughout the UK across a broad portfolio of clients and projects.  I was responsible for corporate leadership and strategy, event design and direction, project budgeting and income generation, high-risk project delivery/production management, client communications and team management. 

Claire Drakeley LLP – Director   
01/02/08 – 01/03/09

Dance & Theatre Cornwall T/A The Works – General Manager   
08/05/06 – 01/04/08

Duchy Opera – Company Manager   
01/05/06 – 01/01/07

Creative Partnerships London North (Arts Council) – Operations Manager
10/10/05 – 04/05/06

Rambert Dance Company – Company Manager   
25/08/02 – 10/10/05

Guest lecturer

• University of Westminster – creativity vs commercial; event design
• University of Greenwich – principles of event management in practice
• Bath Spa University – making more effective decisions/game theory
• Falmouth University – MA Creative Events Management, BA Fashion Marketing
• Plymouth University – six segment model
• Arts University Bournemouth – External Advisor for review of the BA(Hons) Event Management course
• Birmingham City University – six segment model and applied case studies

Workshop Facilitator

• Imperial War Museum – Development of commercial team
• Oxford University – Professional Women’s Network
• Thrive Bath programme – business practice, fundraising, strategy, event management

External Examiner / Advisor

• ICMP
• University of Chester
• University of Greenwich

Falmouth University – Lecturer, BA(Hons) Creative Events Management 10/09/10 – 01/04/18

EDUCATION/TRAINING

University of York                 BSc (Hons)             Mathematics – specialising in Statistics, Finance and Economics. Dissertation in Dance & Mathematics

Open University                   MBA                       Masters in Business Administration – specialising in creative problem solving, marketing and strategic development

Falmouth University             PGCHE                  

PhD – in progress – University of Northampton