Oliver Needs

“Seriously?…”

Born in Bedfordshire, now lives in Liphook, Hampshire England

HND Agriculture, Shuttleworth Agricultural College (Middlesex University)

35 years in events, 20 with BOND

Farming was tough and dirty so after 4 years as a Bobby in Cambridge I started my events career at the wonderful Blenheim Exhibitions as a salesman on The Forecourt Marketing show.

Left with my more senior Brother Nick and Roy McLean we created McLean Publishing & McLean Communications which spun off McLean Events (now with Questex). I Sold McLean Publishing to Adams Hunter Publishing in the USA. This included our first 1-1 Event, ASPEC1998, Penang Malaysia.

Got James and Jonathan together to form Pelican Events (also Questex) and they later formed Atticus Events (HIDesign) which is now with DMG.

A couple of years creating 12 events at SPG PLC as MD of Cornhill Events made me yearn for private enterprise again so I created BOND with my late friend Mike Murray in 2003.

It’s been a fab journey so far and I’m delighted to hand over to better managers like Alice, Lucky (Luciana) and Rob.

Read the full Origins story here.

Proudest moment:

Hiring Chris Pond.

Fun Facts:

I’m passionate about NOT managing people.

I no longer have a prostate.

I couldn’t have done it all without Riley.

I have no use for hair, or petty discussions about whose hair is best.