Maria Duddin is in charge of events at a top venue in London and hosting celebrity bashes is just a regular part of her job. CATHARINE HEWITSON finds out more
NOT everyone can boast that they've met Gordon Brown and Paul Weller but thanks to her amazing job, Maria Duddin mixes with a whole host of star personalities.
Maria is general manager of The Brewery, a top-class entertainment venue in the City of London, and this year she was awarded a place on the Event magazine's 100 Club list, judged by 2,000 influential players in the events world.
Entering at number 57, she joins the likes of Sebastian Coe and the organiser of events for the 2012 Olympics, James Bulley. Receiving the accolade after only a year in the post, 33-yearold Maria says: "I'm chuffed because I'm the youngest new entry on the list. It's judged by my peers, so it's great to have that recognition."
Whickham-born Maria took Business Studies at St Thomas More school in Blaydon, Gateshead, then went on to a degree in hospitality and marketing at Sheffield Hallam University, which sowed the seeds for a career in events.
Following graduation she headed to London to take a permanent role with the Marriott franchise who, at the time, owned The Brewery. Recognising the potential of the venue she waited for a vacancy to appear.
Formerly housing the Whitbread Brewery, the venue, in Moorgate, had been operating as an entertainment venue since beer-making ceased in 1976.
With its 250-year-old heritage, Grade II listed status and boasting eight events spaces, Maria knew that this was this was the blank canvas she needed to let her creativity flourish. In 2001 she landed the job as the venue's sales manager and has stayed ever since, working her way up through a number of roles.
Maria says it was never intentional to aim for the top. She says a combination of "sheer graft and a love of customers and events" enabled a natural career progression.
She works with a diverse range of clients, hosting professional business conferences and events as well as star-studded awards ceremonies for clients such as the music magazines Mojo and Kerrang.
"Whenever we have VIP events we have a lot of security in place, and there are police horses and escorts - it all gets very exciting!
"It's fever pitch out front, especially when there are hundreds of die-hard fans camping out to catch a glimpse of their favourite celebrity." She says: "I have met a wide range of characters, from the Prime Minister and David Cameron to Velvet Revolver and Paul Weller!" But it's not all celebrity networking for Maria. She runs more than 400 events each year, looking after every detail, from the planning to the delivery of the event with her team.
Maria is insistent on the mantra "you only get out what you put in".
She says: "This kind of role is only as stressful as you want it to be. All of my team are passionate about delivering events and creating an experience for our clients."
Although Maria adores her career in London, she hasn't forgotten her roots. She'll be back in the North East to spend the festive period with family in her beloved Whickham.
She says: "I absolutely love the North East and can't wait to return."
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