Charlie Hepburn
Agency founder, growth leader and mentor.
Through CHC International, I help founders and leadership teams in events, brand experience and related creative businesses find direction, develop their leadership and build stronger businesses.
I work alongside you through mentoring, fractional leadership and advisory support, with the balance shaped around what you and your business need.
Charlie Hepburn · Founder and growth adviser
Experience of building and growing a business
My experience spans more than 25 years in events, brand experience and agency leadership. I founded my agency in 2001 and spent 19 years growing it into a UK Top 50 events and brand experience business, with responsibility for strategy, finances, people and operations, before transitioning it to one of Europe’s largest event groups.
Within the wider group, I led client development and business growth in the brand and corporate space, building senior relationships, developing commercial opportunities and supporting the team responsible for growth.
I also co-founded a mass participation sporting event and a sport and fitness exhibition, with both ventures subsequently sold. As a founding partner in a TV, film and animation production business, I supported its commercial development before moving on.
My work spans more than 1,500 projects and senior client relationships with 32 FTSE 100 companies and other leading businesses.
What you can expect from me
I listen carefully and speak plainly. I will challenge your thinking when I believe it will help, and support you as you work through the decision.
I care about the commercial result and the people responsible for achieving it. I enjoy helping leaders find direction and giving their teams the support to do their best work.
Experience you can draw on
UK market entry
Supported a European agency in developing its UK approach, refining the proposition, identifying target accounts and opening relevant senior conversations.
Commercial growth
Led client development and business growth within an agency group, helping deliver substantial growth in corporate and brand revenue during a two-year tenure.
Agency operating model
Changed the structure of my agency to combine a core team with selected external experts, improving efficiency and productivity while matching expertise to the work.
Commercial systems
Supported agencies in improving CRM workflows, pipeline visibility and repeatable commercial processes, helping teams use resources efficiently and make commercial decisions with clearer information and responsibilities.
Selected client relationships
Some of the businesses I’ve worked with
Supporting the industry
My experience also includes industry mentoring, awards judging and advisory work. I have been recognised among the UK’s Top 100 most influential event professionals.
Let’s talk about your next stage
If you want an adviser and mentor who understands agency ownership, commercial growth and the people behind the business, I would be pleased to hear from you.