about

Rick Stainton

Managing Director, Smyle

Rick, 38, started organising events after he broke his neck whilst at University. The experience inspired him to develop his own fresh approach to events. He started his career at an activity company then moved to P&MM as their Creative Director.

After 3 years, he felt he needed a fresh challenge.

He set up Smyle Events, in partnership with the existing Smyle Productions.

Rick has never regretted such a move and Smyle’s penetration into both the corporate and private event markets has produced dramatic results.

Over the last 8 years the event and production teams have produced the most creative celebratory events, product launches, parties and conferences for a cross-section of clients as well as private events for high net worth individuals. Smyle’s events have also been attended by most members of The Royal Family and numerous celebrities.

In their 1^st year (2004) Smyle Events won the CEA’s (Corporate Event Association) ‘Best New Company’ in the industry award.

The Events & Production companies formally merged in 2007 and Smyle’s staff relocated into a 20,000sq ft state of the art HQ in Hertford.

Today Smyle’s staff count is 26 and a satellite office in London’s Tech City opened in late 2011.

In 2011, Smyle won ‘Agency of the Year’ at the 2011 Eventia Awards, having previously received the coveted Platinum Award along with 3 Gold awards including Production Agency of the Year in 2009.

Rick has delivered numerous key-note speeches, is on the Eventia board and has been voted into Event magazine’s Event 100 club every year since its inauguration.

Rick comments that Smyle’s ultimate mission is simple – “be recognised as the best integrated live events production company”.