25 Years of putting people first: Outsourced Events Shortlisted for two UK Company Culture Awards 2026

As we celebrate our 25th anniversary year, being shortlisted for two UK Company Culture Awards 2026 - Best Agency to Work For (Medium) and the Leadership Award for our founder and CEO Denise Sharpe - feels like a meaningful recognition of what we've built together. This shortlisting comes hot on the heels of our win at the CN Agency Awards 2026, where we took home Employer of the Year, making 2026 a landmark year for Team OE.

What are the UK Company Culture Awards?

The UK Company Culture Awards recognise and celebrate organisations that put people first - championing businesses that share strong values, invest in career development, support employee wellbeing and create workplaces where people genuinely thrive. They are one of the UK's most respected celebrations of workplace culture and employee experience.

A people-first foundation

Founded in 2001 by Denise Sharpe and Alexandra Sibley, Outsourced Events was built on a simple belief: put people first and everything else would follow. Nearly 25 years on, that belief still shapes how we work, grow and the decisions we make every day.

From the start, our goal has been to deliver exceptional events for global technology brands, while building a company where people genuinely feel valued, supported and able to grow. Today, we are a team of 45 delivering more than 240 events each year for 54 clients across international markets. Our culture isn't something we layer on top -it fundamentally shapes how we operate.

Creating a culture where people grow

Our Best Agency to Work For shortlist reflects how this shows up across the business every day. We invest more than £70,000 each year in training and development, including a 14-module training programme and funded qualifications such as CIM, ACCA, Chartered Marketer accreditation and Executive MBAs - qualifications that are sector-unique in our space.

Progression matters just as much. Every team member has a personal development plan and we actively promote from within wherever possible. Many of our team have built long-term careers with us, growing into senior roles as the business has evolved. That continuity has been key not only to our culture, but to the strength of our client relationships.

We also recognise that culture is about more than development. We prioritise wellbeing through flexible working, Mental Health First Aiders and regular opportunities for the team to connect. Our hybrid model is built on trust, ensuring that whether someone is working remotely or in the office, they feel equally supported and part of the team. Profit-related pay is available to everyone in the business - not just senior leadership -and our approach to diversity, equity and inclusion is embedded throughout the organisation, supported by women-led senior leadership.

Leadership that evolved with the business

For Denise to be individually recognised in the Leadership Award category is a testament to the environment she has helped create over a quarter of a century. She has led the business through some of its most significant moments, including the shift during COVID, where we retained every client and protected every job.

Since then, the business has continued to grow - expanding from 22 to 45 employees and creating new opportunities for both clients and team members. Denise has also played a central role in defining and embedding our five core values - we put people first, we're partners, we care, we challenge, we're curious, ensuring they are reflected in everything from recruitment to client delivery.

The results of a strong culture

The numbers speak for themselves. Our Net Promoter Score is 100, with every client saying they would recommend us and work with us again. Our average client relationship spans five years, with some partnerships lasting more than two decades. Over the past six years, revenue has grown from £1.4 million to £4.2 million.

We have achieved Best Companies 1-Star Accreditation, reflecting very strong workplace engagement, alongside industry award wins and individual team members being recognised as rising leaders in the sector. For us, these outcomes are a direct result of our culture - when people feel valued and supported, they do their best work.

Looking ahead

The winners of the UK Company Culture Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on Thursday 7th May 2026 at the London Hilton Bankside. It is an honour to be recognised alongside other great companies who also set their employees up to succeed - good luck to everyone shortlisted.

Being shortlisted gave us a valuable opportunity to step back and reflect on what we have built as a team and the role our culture has played in that journey. As we mark our 25th anniversary, that founding belief of putting people first still guides us today.

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