Robert Kenward is a recruitment expert working exclusively on senior hires within the events, mice and experiential sectors. He is an experienced speaker, moderator, industry commentator and EDI advocate who is able to convey his expertise and experience to an audience with a vibrant, passionate and vehemently honest approach.
Robert has over 21 years’ experience of the recruitment and events sectors and brings a unique perspective of hiring from all angles – as a candidate, a client and a Fitability® recruiter. Robert brings a direct and pragmatic approach to recruitment, matching the personal and career aspirations of candidates to a company’s business growth plans.
Robert is an active board member of the MIA (Meetings Industry Association). He was appointed in 2024 to focus on providing best practice guidance and strategic recruitment advice to members. Robert is also an active EVCOM ‘Ambassador.’
Robert has held nearly 800 pro bono one to one sessions to date with people who need job seeking advice, insight, guidance, support or just a shoulder to lean on. This support was launched during the pandemic and Robert continues to offer these sessions to the industry.
In 2021 Robert co-founded the Reach scholarship programme to help bring more diversity into the events industry at a grassroots level, The initiative provides a fund for Black, Brown or Minority Ethnic students to study on events management degree programmes, providing a £5,000 a year scholarship to support with living expenses. The Reach Scholarship was awarded Gold for EDI in the M&IT Awards 2024.
In September 2023 Robert was awarded the ‘Personality of the Year’ award at the M&IT Awards as recognition of the work he has done to improve recruitment practises in the industry, his pro bono support of those facing redundancy and for his part in launching the Reach events industry scholarship.
Robert lives in Brighton, UK with his wife and most weekends you can find him building Lego or on the water with their two young sons.