People

Steve Quah is our creative and dynamic CEO.

Steve’s wealth of experience and unrelenting quest for quality and innovation has shaped the culture of the agency and the calibre of our global projects. With over 30 years of expertise in theatrical and corporate live events, digital brand experiences and audience engagement, Steve is the driving force behind our strong creative service ethos. 

Steve has worked with the leading brands to deliver event experiences around the globe, including BBC Studios, Vodafone, Wall Street Journal, Google, Oath, Clifford Chance, LG, Disney, AOL, News UK and Microsoft to name but a few.

With a hands-on approach across both London and New York offices, Steve leads from the very front and continues to put people and purpose at the heart of the agency.

Jo Radford is our Head of Moving Image, and the heart of Cheerful Twentyfirst. Her inclusive, creative and vivacious leadership style has shaped who we are as an agency today. Jo leads the delivery of world class video content across bespoke client films, award-winning communications campaigns and onscreen event content. Working with integrity and with an impeccable eye for detail, Jo paves the way in fostering long-term, trusted and collaborative relationships with all clients.

Andrew Harvey is the Managing Director of Cheerful Twentyfirst and has over twenty-five years’ in the industry, producing events, branded content and interactive projects. His extensive client experience and apt for creative storytelling are a driving force behind sustaining the agency as an innovative and proactive growth engine. Alongside our CEO, Andrew continues to manifest a dynamic agency culture where the cross pollination of ideas is actively encouraged. Through his natural leadership and events knowledge, Andrew has delivered award winning projects for global brands including Mars Wrigley, Nokia, Oliver Wyman, White & Case, PubMatic and RS Components. Andrew currently oversees all aspects of the agency’s operations, including client relationships and maintaining best in class creative. 

With more than 25 years’ agency and brand side experience, André brings a vast amount of marketing knowledge and expertise to our US division. A hands-on leader, André adds a tremendous amount of value and expertise across client portfolios, anticipating account needs and sharing proactive marketing solutions before they are even considered.

His extensive work in experiential agencies makes him perfectly placed to lead and foster our culture of creativity and excellence in the Cheerful Twentyfirst New York office.

Andy Litz is our invaluable US Head of Projects. With nearly two decades of hands-on campaign and event management experience (and two US air guitar championship titles) he is a force to be reckoned with. A logistical thinker with a natural creative flair, Andy brings a unique yet earnest viewpoint to every project —no matter which side of the pond he’s on.

Beth is a friendly and accomplished Account Director who loves to work in partnership with clients to drive ideas forward and deliver impact. Eight years’ experience delivering comprehensive and integrated consumer-facing campaigns has cultivated her distinctive strategic and creative approach, which raises the bar in terms of execution, creativity and evaluation.

Beth has a 360-degree approach to campaign delivery and is committed to learning and evolving from past successes, lending to her secondary role as measurement and impact lead for the agency.

Simon is a multi-disciplinary Head of Creative with over 20 years experience in delivering projects for global clients. His passion is finding the sweet spot where creativity meets technology meets brand.

Simon is the first and last person to touch a creative brief, where his role is to find the opportunity for brands, inspire our innovative “creative warriors”, and craft game-changing experiences for audiences.

Alex Cooper, our brilliant Head of Events, loves a creative challenge. His early career as a Creative Producer established positive relationships between clients, suppliers, freelancers and internal teams, and has been the foundation for an impressive and diverse events career spanning over 27 years. Alex’s passion is ‘delivering the impossible’ for our clients through the creation and production of outstanding and immersive live events. He leads the Cheerful Twentyfirst events team by example and is an expert at navigating bespoke creative solutions at scale.

Manuela is an operational genius. Her core strength lies in taking a creative approach and making sure it is delivered effectively, efficiently and on brand. With 10 years experience in global event and campaign delivery Manuela is able to turn her hand to projects across all industries.

Manuela looks after a number of our wider commercial relationships in the industry and is a senior representative involved in the agency’s sustainability programmes.

Martin boasts more than 25 years in the event industry, working directly with key accounts to develop communications and messaging strategy. His specialism is onscreen content for a wide variety of audiences, including internal and external across a wide range of business sectors.

Alongside a collection of key accounts, Martin works as content lead directing all events and communications for our long-standing client partners. 

Creative Director Chris is a diverse and agile senior designer that leads from the front. His authentic and inventive approach to client briefs is a catalyst for creative thinking in the rest of the team. With over 20 years in high-end creative solutions across theatre, video, animation, consumer and corporate event projects, there aren’t many jobs that don’t come across his desk. Chris adds immeasurable value on any project, imagining original concepts and crafting end-to-end bespoke 360 creative to suit client and strategy. 

Our brilliant Project Director Leah has over a decade of experience running creative, corporate and digital events. Her skills in directing and managing multi-stakeholder, large scale events are second to none.

Leah has delivered events in over 35 countries, including conferences, press events, gala dinners, networking events, webinars, award shows in a variety of different venues such as bookstores, iconic hotels, unusual spaces and palaces.

Professionally and personally, her passion for good mental health, sustainable practices, diversity and female empowerment inspires others within the agency.

With more than 20 years of experience designing meaningful brand campaigns, Jules is a trusted face across integrated projects and key client accounts.

His multidisciplinary background in creative ideation, build and production, digital and onsite delivery supports an impactful audience journey, online and IRL. Jules’ forward-thinking approach to brand environments is key to supporting the corporate and consumer activations across our portfolio.

Jules’ previous client work at the agency includes activations for Samsung, Rémy Cointreau and more recently, a digital exhibition for Loewe.

Georgina has a natural appetite for strategy and audience, working to understand ‘the why’ behind every proposal and leaning into a response that really gets under the skin of the project to deliver something spectacular.

Looking after a clutch of leading brands in the Ad Tech and Media space as well, Georgina’s previous experience in the world of media strategy lends seamlessly to 360 degree campaign planning, with a particular interest in how creative brings the brand experience to life.

Sarah is our technically-talented Senior Production Manager. With over 15 years’ of event experience, her skills sit in production, project and account management. Sarah brings a wealth of experience and an infectious smile to her work – joy is (quite literally) her middle name – and leads on the technical direction and delivery aspects of hybrid, virtual and live projects.

Nigel is one of our most experienced Project Directors. His 30+ years of live and virtual event experience lend to his exceptional project leadership and seamless delivery. Nigel’s unique blend of production and creative make him a safe pair of hands on every project he is involved with.

Nigel has led on projects for some of the world’s top brands including The Walt Disney Company, Google, Vodafone, LG and Oliver Wyman amongst others.

Louise Cherrington is an absolutely vital member of our agency and is tasked with nurturing the most important asset, our team. Prior to joining, Louise worked at The London Marathon where she focsued on training, appraisals and CSR charters. Louise’s wealth of experience in large-scale People & Culture Roles make her perfectly suited to man our ever-expanding global team with the tools they need to develop.

Rupert is a Senior Account Director with over 20 years of Integrated Marketing and Brand experience under his belt. He enjoys the challenge of finding the best ways to build a campaign, create a positive impact and change mindsets (or just how to get someone to turn up!). Particularly loves a combination of strategic thinking, success metrics and number crunching in tandem with a healthy dose of collaboration. Understands well how all the pieces fit together and loves the journey with the team as much as the destination.

One of our dynamic Account Directors, George looks after a portfolio of leading brands in the United States.

With a wealth of experience in the entertainment industry and large-scale events, George’s rich background and creative production work lends to beautiful campaigns on both sides of the Atlantic. His fresh approach to account direction opens much wider opportunities for his clutch of brands, often tackling brand experience with a marketing and PR lens.

George is also heavily involved in our Equity & Belonging steering group and is passionate in ensuring all projects are accessible and inclusive to all. 

“Let’s get your brand seen, heard and loved.”

Natasha Richardson (aka Tash) is one of our accomplished Account Directors. With 15 years experience managing large-scale accounts across multiple sectors including; Tech, Retail and Pharma… you can certainly consider her a safe pair of hands. Tash’s ability to authentically connect brand teams with internal project teams, has led her to nurture relationships with some of the worlds leading AdTech brands. Her positive and warm attitude, is one that clients just keep coming back for.

Alicia James is one of our vivacious Senior Project Managers. She has been with Cheerful Twentyfirst for over five years and has worked in the events sector for double that time. Alicia takes an unflappable and constructive approach to onsite challenges and has experience expertly managing a variety of multi-tiered events. She is a natural at cultivating a rich client and supplier relationship and goes above and beyond to facilitate seamless event delivery.

As Financial Controller, Jamie bring years of experience and an eagle-eye to the management of all budgets across every project, and all client accounts. Years in the finance sector have honed his knowledge of best business practices and compliance. Jamie also manages the Aeorema PLC Group.

Elena is a talented and experienced Senior Creative Producer. Coming from a background in project delivery she has a rare talent in combining creative ideation with operational excellence. Her relationships with clients, suppliers and industry peers is outstanding and she is known for her ability to create experiences with long lasting legacy.

Elena excels in creative for complex campaigns and understanding concepts through to brand style and into final activation. In addition to her role as Creative Producer Elena speaks at a number of industry events campaigning for better access to our industry for entry-level roles and work experience.

Our Senior Marketing Manager, Georgia leads marketing, communications and industry partnerships across our London and New York offices.

Georgia’s work into marketing strategy and audience engagement theory helps drive Cheerful Twentyfirst’s account and growth efforts forward, most recently executing Cheerful Twentyfirst annual strategy report, Brand Playbook. 

Georgia is actively involved in implementing wider CSR initiatives around sustainability and diversity and inclusion, and continues to be a vocal industry voice in both areas. Her efforts were also recognised in 2020 as a rising star in the Conference News 30 Under Thirty Awards.

Georgia was recently appointed to a Director at Large role on the International Live Events Association EU Board, focused on supporting marketing and communications efforts across the European region.

Becky is one of our accomplished Senior Project Managers. With 7 years’ experience delivering end-to-end event management and communications campaigns, she has exceptional analytical and creative skills that drive client’s projects forward. In addition to her role, Becky is undertaking a diploma in marketing to expand on her interest in audience psychology and campaign strategy.

Becky is also our go-to for baked goods in the Cheerful Twentyfirst office.

Meet our ace Film Production Creative who brings technical knowledge and execution to the Moving Image team. With more than 15 years of experience, his multidisciplinary background in film, TV and event production means he has an excellent understanding of creative storytelling. Andrew has an aptitude for visual communication which produces powerful campaigns and films for our clients.

Meet our passionate Project Coordinator Alanna.

Three years’ experience in the creative industries has enabled Alanna to widen her skillset whilst focusing on end-to-end project management. Alanna has an active interest in all elements of an event, from the initial creative ideation process, to marketing the event, to improving on the little details that help deliver an exceptional experience for the audience.

A creative and ambitious member of our team who is delivering incredible work on both sides of the Atlantic ocean.

Pete Starling is a versatile Senior Creative with more than 15 years’ creative experience. From a career where his work has taken him across exhibitions, events and as a concept artist for the film industry, Pete’s nuance at Cheerful Twentyfirst is working across brand development, immersive environments, print, and campaign creative.

Josh has an undeniable passion and talent for filmmaking. Our enthusiastic Production Manager, Josh provides core logistical support for the in-house animation and post-production teams. His background in photography and corporate film lends to his dynamic role in the video team and makes him a vital asset on any set.

Our innovative Digital Solutions Manager, Keith is in charge of project managing and leading on technical and digital projects across the agency. Keith has over 10 years of experience in designing and executing bespoke web-based solutions and custom interfaces to drive the brand experience online.

Keith is Prince2 qualified and will almost definitely wear a fun shirt on a Friday.

Morgan is a dedicated Project Manager based in our US team. Combining an eclectic background in theatre, hospitality, fundraising and events, she balances creativity with meticulous attention to detail.

Morgan’s exceptional organisational skills and natural enthusiasm for event logistics make her a vital asset to our project team. She maps the attendee journey and experience with precision, designing outstanding experiences that resonate with global clients.

Morgan also plays an active role in the agency’s sustainability working group.

Where would we be without James! James is the guy that gets the job done… More specifically, the invoices paid.

As a core part of our accounts team, James plays a fundamental in keeping us on track across all financial responsibilities, including supplier communications, PO management, invoice payments and so much more.

He loves tattoos, Star Wars and spreadsheets, not always in that order.

Meg is one of our brilliant designers; a multidisciplinary creative with a heritage in design across digital and broadcast. Her wealth of experience working in news and broadcast channels lends itself acutely to understanding the delivery nuances of our media and technology clients. Meg likes to push creative boundaries to bring designs to life, amplifying the creative to build unique experiences for event audiences.

Meet Fin, our Creative Producer with a background in theatre. Fin helps to bring brand identities to life across audience journeys, set and stage design, furniture and dressing and so much more. She can take a creative vision from screen to set like nobody’s business, and uses her passion for design to bridge the gap between brand and audience.

Rebecca is our exceptionally well-rounded Project Manager. Having delivered events for global brands across the UK and EMEA, she is calm and considered in her approach to highly complex projects. Her drive and determination for success delivers astounding results and builds trusted client relationships.

Rebecca is actively involved in the agency’s sustainability working group, bringing sustainable practices into the business and across client projects. She was also recognised as a rising star in the 2021 Conference News 30 Under Thirty Awards.

The Cheerful Twentyfirst office wouldn’t be the same without our bright and enthusiastic Senior Project Coordinator Anne-Marie. She plays a huge role in event support and pre-production logistics across all events and is regularly onsite as core support to the project managers and client during a live event.