Our People

Doug Emslie

Chairman

Douglas was most recently CEO of Tarsus Group, having joined the business when it was launched in 1998. He previously held senior positions at Blenheim Group plc and after its takeover, United Business Media plc. He is a past Chairman and Director of the Association of Event Organisers (AEO), as well as past Chairman of the Events Industry Alliance. He is a board member of US industry advocacy body, the Exhibition & Conference Alliance (ECA) and was also the first international board member of the US industry trade body, SISO, where he went on to serve as Chair. Douglas oversaw the acquisition of Tarsus Group by Informa plc where he now acts as Senior Advisor on the combination of the two businesses.

Mike Seaman

CEO

Mike has worked in the exhibition industry since 2003 and is a huge advocate for the power of live events. He founded Raccoon in 2016 with the aim to create a business that supports passionate, self-identifying communities through live events.

In his spare time, he is a father to two awesome kids, and a keen runner, having recently completed his fourth 100-mile ultramarathon.

Mike also sits on the board of the Association of Event Organisers.

Jo Tyler

COO

Jo is the COO for Raccoon Media Group working across all of the event brands. With over 20-years’ experience in the events industry, her speciality is launching new products and enhancing user experience.

In her spare time she also runs to keep fit (with the occasional half marathon) and loves enjoying the great outdoors with her husband and two kids.

Fiona Wood

Finance Director

Fiona is the Finance Director of Raccoon Media Group. Having trained and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC in London, Fiona then worked in LA for a few years. On returning to London, Fiona worked in retail for many years and was FD of Waterstone's, Heal's, The Conran Shop, among others. More recently Fiona worked in distribution and ultimately the entertainment industry with White Light. She has been involved in start-ups, mergers and acquisitions, company sales, managing Finance, IT, HR , Legal, Procurement and Facilities. In her spare time, she loves running ( a couple of marathons and some half marathons), cycling, skiing, and sailing, and spending time with her husband and adult children.

Dan O'Brien

Non-Exec Director

Dan was COO / CFO at Tarsus Group for 12 years until the group's sale to Informa. He also acts as Senior Adviser to Pendragon International Media and is a Trustee of the charity School-Home Support. Dan qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Deloitte in 1991, and has also held the role of CFO at TV production company Shine Group and at the listed B2B publisher Huveaux plc. He has previously held senior finance roles at Hanson plc, computer games company Eidos and Digital Theatre.

Nathalie Davies

MD

Nathalie is UK Managing Director at Raccoon Media Group. She has worked in the events industry for the since 2005, running events in a variety of sectors including technology, marketing, building services and franchising. She joined the Raccoon team in 2021 when they only had 1 show which was The National Running Show, she has enjoyed helping the business grow their events and launch new ones.
She is a big fitness fan, loves to run, do Pilates and ski in the winter season. When she is not working in the events world she is a busy mum to 2 kids.

Stephen Morgan

MD

Steve is Managing Director of the US Division encompassing Snowbound Expo, Boston Outdoor Expo and the Boston Run Show at Raccoon Media Group. His main focus at the moment is growing the US portfolio and looking for opportunities to expand our footprint in the US. He has over 15 years experience in the events industry mainly centred around the active lifestyle categories and is all about content driven passion-led events that deliver.

Steve is a keen snowboarder, mountain biker, skateboarder, longboarder and axe thrower. Steve will always take the outdoor option, unless it is to go to an indoor climbing wall…

Katy Roberts

Portfolio Director

Katy is the Portfolio Director of Abilities Expo, a series of events across the USA dedicated to the disability market. Katy has worked in exhibitions for over 15 years across construction, fashion and lifestyle shows in the UK and China. Outside of work Katy can often be found at the beach with her two young kids and husband and is a regular sea swimmer even in the winter months. Katy is also a keen netball player, playing in a weekly social league.

Ashley Cox

Group Marketing Director

Ashley is Group Marketing Director at Raccoon Media Group. She has over 18 years’ experience in the world of marketing, PR and communications working across consumer, corporate and third sectors.

She loves the sun, the ocean and being outdoors with her family.

Matthew Lambert

Operations Director

Matthew has spent over 25 years in the exhibition industry, working across the ‘holy trinity’ of organiser, venue and contractor. His team currently manage a portfolio of over 50 events annually and have established themselves as one of the ‘go to’ company for organisers looking to outsource their operations.

Chloe Hyland

Marketing Director , USA

Chloe is the Marketing Director for the USA portfolio of Events in 8 locations including Boston, LA, Chicago, Texas and more. She followed her passion for events marketing & PR after completing her degree in Event Management and now has over 10 years of experience in large B2B and B2C expos. When she isn’t working, Chloe loves to travel and explore new destinations, run or hike with her friends and enjoys camping in the summer!

Hannah Hopwood

Senior Marketing Manager

Hannah is the Senior Marketing Manager for the National Running Show and the National Outdoor Expo. With years of experience, she has managed a variety of marketing campaigns for B2B and B2C events. Hannah loves creating partnership opportunities and organising successful community-focused events in the health and well-being sector. Outside of work, Hannah enjoys spending time outdoors, especially on the beach with her husband and three children.

Monique Taylor

Finance Manager

Monique is Finance Manager at Raccoon Media Group. She comes from a Fashion Business background of 12 years, where she headed up her own Retail Stores , Manufacturing House, Brand Consulting, and all things creative and analytical. With a keen eye for detail and finding value in the dynamics of all the working parts of a business.

When not working Monique can be found running after her toddler or alongside her teenager navigating family and adventure. She is passionate about Natural Medicine and Holistic Therapy and Yoga is her go-to after a full day of numbers.

Kate Jamieson

Head of Content

Kate has over 20 years’ experience in the world of Publishing, Marketing and Communications. Passionate about sport and activity in all its forms, she loves to run (especially with her dog), and is enjoying dabbling in longer distances and trail running after being a staunch road runner for many years. Kate is always up for a fun challenge or adventure, and will often say yes first, then work out how later!

Kate's favourite part of her role is connecting with people and communities across all shows to hear their inspiring stories and achievements. It's also a great way to find out about more adventures!

Kevaleen Lara

Marketing Director, Abilities Expo

Kev is the Marketing Director for Abilities Expo. With more than two decades in event marketing and multiple award-winning campaigns under her belt, she is especially thrilled by today’s heightened awareness to accessibility issues and the possibilities of greater inclusion for the disability community. When she’s not working, Kev mercilessly pries screens from her teenagers’ clutches and makes them spend as much time outside as possible with her, her husband and their giant dog.

Debbie Barbieri

Operations Director, Abilities Expo

Debbie is Operations Director for Abilities Expo. For more than 20 years, Debbie has immersed herself in all things trade show and hospitality, including production, operations, logistics, budget creation/management, contract negotiations and developing/implementing best practices. When she is not working or exploring with her two adult children, you’ll find her hiking, crossfitting, spa-ing or hanging out with a beautiful blonde…her dog, Sammie.

Caitlin Patrick

Content Manager - Abilities Expo

Caitlin has been the on-site events and workshops manager for the Abilities Expo for four years, and has since found a love of working in the tradeshow world. For her, working with the disability community has fuelled a passion to make not just our communities accessible and inclusive for all, but also our hearts and minds. Full-time, Caitlin works as a freelance writer and is also trained in both Eastern-style yoga and sound meditation. Caitlin is a self-proclaimed matcha aficionado, avid reader and loves getting outside to hike, kayak or play pickleball (albeit not well!)

Craig Hanratty

Event Director

Craig brings a wealth of events experience to Raccoon, having worked across a variety of business and consumer events in his 20 year events career. Craig is driven by collaboration with new and exciting brands along with creating partnership opportunities, he’s worked across sectors including fashion, technology and food innovation.
When not at work Craig enjoys running around his local Wimbledon common, tennis and trying to beat his son at a game of footy.

Stuart Dacre

Commercial Director

Stuart is the Commercial Director for Snowbound Expo, Raccoon Event’s latest acquisition to truly unite the Winter and outdoor sporting community.
With over 20 years of senior commercial roles within the media/event sector Stuart is driven by creating outstanding outcomes and experiences through the medium of live events.
Although not permitted to play in the Snow due to Rugby League requirements in his younger days this is now work in progress. Stuart can be found when not managing his ‘2 under 5’ clad in Lycra on the drops. If he can’t be reached, then the hills were calling and he had to go.

Liz Ormesher

Event Director

Liz is the Event Director for the National Equine Show. With 20 years experience in sales, marketing and event management, Liz joined the Raccoon team in 2022 to launch The National Equine Show.
Liz is a passionate equestrian with 40 years experience owning and riding horses. Bringing her passion for all things equine to work on this show is a dream come true. She loves the outdoors and likes nothing better than being at the yard amongst horses. She enjoys running, weight training, yoga, photography and spending time with her husband and 2 young children. She is loving that her daughter is turning into a proper little pony girl so she can share her passion with her.

Lindsey Coleman

Event Director

Lindsey has joined our team to deliver National Snow Week. She is a highly driven and commercially minded events professional with over 13 years’ experience managing a variety of events across multiple industries, including travel, hospitality and lifestyle. Having worked for some of the leading media companies within the UK, she has a history of successfully delivering results, focusing on increased revenues, quality audiences. Outside of work, Lindsey is kept busy by her two young children, and loves nothing more than planning their next holiday, enjoying her local beach and exploring the New Forest.

Addie Brake

Commercial Director

Addie is the Commercial Director at Raccoon Media Group. After spending 7 years working for The NEC she joined Raccoon Media Group to work as an organiser, launching a successful portfolio of consumer shows.
She loves being involved in shaping and building the foundations of successful community focussed exhibitions.

Shirry Liram

Event Director

Shirry has over 20 years experience directing trade/consumer exhibitions, summits and festivals in the UK and overseas ranging from dance, travel and design to tech, medtech and AI. She loves bringing a vision to life, creating great experiences and connecting people, which is why she loves working in events. Outside work she is a mentor to young women looking to smash through their career goals; Shirry is also a determined surfer, keen linguist, embarrassing singer, committed runner, food lover and a mother of two + a Border Terrier called Friday.

Julienne Dallara

Sales Director - Abilities Expo

Julienne began working as a Sales Consultant for the Abilities Expos in 2012, after selling accessible vehicles for the previous 15 years. She is a wheelchair user since 1996, when she awoke paralyzed from Transverse Myelitis.
Julienne learned early on that helping other people is the greatest mood-elevator, and she is thrilled to be able to help others find solutions at the Abilities Expos with Raccoon Media. As a former outdoor athlete, dancer and mechanical bull rider, Julienne has found that she can still do many of the activities she did as an able body, just in a different way.
She is currently Ms. Wheelchair California, 2024.

Valerie Teague

Sales Director - Abilities Expo

Valerie is also a member of the sales team at the Abilities Expo. For the past 25 years, she has been a seasoned sales professional and is currently the founder and principal of Disability Resource Link along with Oxylife Hyperbarics. Valerie’s extensive background empowers her to assist clients in achieving their sales and marketing goals by effectively engaging and connecting with the disability community through various media channels.
Additionally, she serves as the vice president of Ralph’s Riders Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with spinal cord injuries and paralysis gain greater independence and personal fulfillment.
When not working you can find her outdoors–hiking, rucking, playing tennis, and trying all things wellness. Valerie is a proud mother and grandmother.

Annie Bennett

Event Manager

Annie is Event Manager on the Allergy & Free From Show at Raccoon Media Group. She has over 10 years' experience working in events across several industries, such as sustainability, facilities and security. Outside of work, you will find Annie running around after her two young children, enjoying the latest musical at her local Theatre or training for her next Half Marathon.

Tom Whitfield

Event Manager

Tom is the Event Manager for The National Outdoor Expo. He has worked in the sports industry for the past 28 years, Working with a number of brands throughout the outdoor sector. He is excited to now be working on the National Outdoor Expo which promotes a wide range of activities in such a positive consumer space. When not working, he enjoys Triathlon, particularly Long course racing. Walks in the Mendip hills, coaching the local ladies football team & generally being outdoors as much as possible.

David Barclay

Event Manager

David is the Event Manager for the Boston Run Show which allows him to join his passion for running with his previous experience of connecting brands with audiences and events.

His previous experience has come from the sponsorship/ partnership industry within the UK and NZ in a variety of roles from the sporting world- with Watford FC and British Triathlon- through to the non-profit world with the Asthma & Respiratory Foundation NZ. Outside of work, he loves to be outdoors and staying active particularly trail running and cycling in the Peak District.

Eloise

Senior Finance Executive

Ellie has been taking on the challenge of managing the budgets and accounts payable responsibilities since she started working for Raccoon Media Group.

Amy Sheridan

Business Operations Manager

Amy is the Business Operations Manager for Raccoon Media Group, working across all the porftfolios.
She is your point of call for all things Raccoon!
Amy loves socialising with friends, catching up with family and is kept busy being a dog mum to Hugo, her crazy Dalmatian.

Samantha Davis

Sales Manager

Samantha is the Sales Manager for The National Running Show. With 8 years experience in the service and sales industry, she is passionate about providing an excellent customer experience and building long term working relationships. Samantha loves spending time with friends and family and finding new and unique places to wine and dine.

Tom Keating

Sales Manager

Tom is the Sales Manager for The National Outdoor Expo and Outside & Active, our digital marketing solution. Bringing his experience in sales management in retail and gyms, he is enjoying the challenge within the events industry. Tom enjoys lifting weights and keeping fit, when he is not working you will find him being a busy dad to 2 children, at the gym or performing in a play.

Dominic Brown

Digital Communications Manager

Dominic is the Digital Communications Manager at Raccoon Media Group, focusing on the digital side of the organisation. He is a keen sportsman and gym-goer with a background in promoting the benefits of physical activity to mental health and wellbeing. Dom is the go-to for anything digital! He also heads up the content and marketing for outsideandactive.com

Ben Yeo

Marketing Manager

Ben is a Marketing Manager at Raccoon Media Group. After graduating from university in the summer of 2021 he is keen to work within the sports industry and enhancing his marketing skills. He enjoys playing football regularly too and has recently run his first marathon.

Alex Hayman

Content Producer

Alex joined the Raccoon team early in 2022, with a keen interest in stepping into the events space and an ambition of working within the UK snowsports industry. Leading the content schedules for our National Equine Show, Cycling Show, London Snow Show and the Boston based Snowbound Expo, Alex has coordinated speaking engagements with top athletes across all of our events. He is a massive enthusiast for anything outdoors, but has a particular passion for snowboarding, climbing and (something that may or may not resemble) surfing. Other interests include heavy music, strong coffees and a good history book.

Sophie Honeywell

Senior Marketing Executive

Sophie is the Senior Marketing Executive for Raccoon Media Group. She joined Raccoon in 2022 after graduating with a Theatre and Performance degree and is keen to progress in the marketing and events industry. Sophie enjoys Yoga and Pilates whilst leading a healthy lifestyle and feels passionate about the positive effects health and fitness has on our mental and physical well-being.

Hannah Warren

Senior Office Administrator

Since Hannah started working at Raccoon Media Group she has quickly progressed in her career from when she graduated from university with a degree in sociology in the summer of 2021. She loves socialising with friends, going to concerts and festivals when she can.

Hannah Rouse

Office and Finance Assistant

Hannah is the Office and Finance Assistant for Raccoon Media Group.
She graduated from Portsmouth University with a degree in English Language in 2020.
She likes going to the gym, socialising with friends and going on walks with her dog.

Daniel Catt

Marketing Assistant

Dan is the Marketing Assistant at Raccoon Media Group. He graduated from university in the summer of 2022 and is keen to pursue a career in the sports events industry. Outside of work Dan enjoys playing football, golf and running.

Stefan Parker

Sales Executive

Stefan is our sales executive working across the Snowbound Expo & The Boston Outdoor Show. Stefan graduated from the University of Exeter and worked for 3 years for Unilever as a global project manager. Outside of work, he is always active outdoors with a passion for football, nutrition, and being a regular gym goer.

Sarah Venables

Sales Executive

Sarah is Sales Executive on the London Snow Show, focussing on connecting exceptional brands with our audience. With 11 years of experience across sales, hospitality and teaching outdoor activities. Outside of work Sarah is a dedicated mentor and events coordinator for a voluntary hiking group, advocating for healthier lifestyles. She loves climbing mountains, paddle boarding, camping, traveling, and going to country gigs.

Tanja Grosvenor

Finance Assistant

Tanja is the Finance Assistant for Raccoon Media Group.
In her spare time she enjoys going on new hiking adventures, going to the gym and loves spending time with friends and family.

Jules Scudder

Personal Assistant

Jules is the PA at Raccoon Media Group. She is highly organised, as any PA needs to be handling correspondence, scheduling meetings, planning travel, and generally making sure people are where they need to be, when they need to be.
Jules is a huge lover of all things fitness and outdoors and also owns her own run coaching business. When she is not organising everyone here at Raccoon, she can mostly be found training for marathons!