SUMMER | IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Georgie Ward
Georgie Ward reflects on a career path that led her to the gates of the Black Deer Festival , where she is festival manager
What led you to work in events , was it always the plan ? I found myself in the industry after landing my first job at the Hop Farm in Kent . That was my first experience of outdoor events and I loved it . I moved to London and started working in venues , ultimately becoming head of events for Battersea Evolution . Over the course of eight years with Smart Group , I worked across a broad range of high-profile sporting and music events .
How did you come to join the Black Deer team ? Black Deer co-founder Debs Shilling was a client of mine . Over the course of almost 10 years working together on different projects , we became good friends . Through Debs I met Gill Tee and years after our initial meeting , they decided to launch their own festival . Things fell into place from there and I ’ ve been lucky enough to be part of the Black Deer team since the journey began in 2018 .
How has your role evolved since ? In the early days of the festival , I was the lead on a project for Entertee Events so I initially took on a co-ordinator role for Black Deer . The following year I jumped at the chance to become more involved in the production of the festival . As we entered 2020 , I was about to embark on the role of festival manager , but we all know what happened next . After two years of planning the festival on paper and navigating a rocky road post-pandemic , I finally got to see it through this year .
What has been the biggest challenge you have overcome professionally ? On the Saturday night of Black Deer this year we had to carry out a full show stop due to an electrical storm . When you sit down as a team to discuss the protocols of a show stop prior to the festival , everyone in the room naturally hopes the scenarios in front of you will never occur during the live show . The challenge of a full arena evacuation in extreme weather conditions , and putting the emergency plan into action in such a short space of time , was an experience I shall never forget . Thankfully we were able to kick things off the following morning and enjoy a full and final day of Black Deer in glorious sunshine .
Who has influenced you the most professionally ? The key influencers for me have been Greg Lawson of Smart Group , who helped me thrive early in my career , and of course more recently Gill Tee and Debs Shilling who have given me the support I need to carry out this role with a young family in tow , and who I admire greatly for creating and sustaining , even in the most challenging circumstances of the past two years , something as special and unique as Black Deer .
If there was one thing about the events industry you could change today , what would it be ? At Black Deer we work alongside an organisation called SupaJam which provides education , with a focus on music , to young adults who have fallen through the education system . We work closely with them throughout the year and provide them with their own stage at the festival where students can audition to perform , and they can learn the inner workings of a festival over the weekend .
We hope to provide the students with the skills and experience to find work within the music industry . I would love to see more festivals embark on a project such as this and help talented , hardworking individuals get a foot in the door .
What ’ s your favourite way to relax ? Green fields , music , family , friends and food - even better when they all come together .
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