Gem Bassett is a seasoned professional approaching three decades of invaluable experience in the Meetings and Events (M&E) Industry. As the founder and head of an independent consultancy, Gem specialises in guiding clients through strategic meeting management programs, assisting suppliers in cultivating meaningful client relationships, and aiding corporations in fostering staff retention and growth through innovative incentive programs and experiential initiatives.

Gem’s expertise extends into the experiential side of events across various industries. Throughout her career, she has successfully managed global portfolios of events and led teams, providing her with a profound understanding of the core elements of M&E programs. Her unique experience straddling both the strategic/service and delivery aspects allows her to offer a distinctive perspective, seamlessly balancing strategy with stakeholder experience. Gem excels in comprehending the cause and effect of decisions, resulting in the development of more harmonious and impactful programs.

During her 14-year tenure at EY as a pivotal member of the award-winning Global Travel, Meetings, and Events Team, Gem spearheaded the Strategic Meeting Management Program (SMMP) for EMEIA. Her accomplishments also include designing and implementing a Global M&E Policy and successfully streamlining the supply chain while enhancing compliance. Gem’s ability to optimize the stakeholder experience amidst complex initiatives has become a hallmark of her career, earning her a reputation for bringing order to chaos. Notably, she also managed two significant sponsorship activations: The Ryder Cup 2014 and Rugby World Cup 2015. In these roles, Gem was responsible for both strategic partnership and purchasing and logistics, ensuring flawless execution, adherence to budget, and maximized return on investment for EY’s prestigious activities.

After a brief sabbatical dedicated to family time with her husband and two young children in Cambridgeshire, Gem joined the leadership team of an Event Tech Startup. In this role, she focused on developing and enhancing the client services function, collaborating with an array of corporate clients. Gem’s natural curiosity and attention to detail significantly contributed to enhancing the company’s service offerings and shaping a client-focused strategy.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Gem cherishes spending quality time with family and friends. Known for her love of entertaining, she combines her culinary skills, event management acumen, and passion for travel and dining to create unforgettable experiences in her lovingly restored home. Gem brings this same sense of joy and camaraderie to the workplace, ensuring that any team she integrates with experiences seamless collaboration and, amidst the hard work, always finds moments of fun and celebration.