In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Shea McNelis, Co-Founder of Integrity Security, one of Ireland’s fastest-growing event security businesses.

What began as a bold decision to launch a new company in the middle of the Covid shutdown has grown into a business trusted to secure some of Ireland’s largest public events, including St Patrick’s Festival, major sporting fixtures and large-scale music festivals.

But this conversation is about much more than security.

Shea shares how his background in event promotion shaped his belief that security should be customer-focused, welcoming and built on trust rather than intimidation. He explains why culture and values have been central to Integrity’s rapid growth, how the business has prioritised staff retention in an industry known for high turnover, and why familiar faces and consistent service matter so much to event organisers.

The discussion also explores what happened when Shea stepped away from the business for more than two months to travel with his family, the lessons he learned about trust, delegation and founder dependency, and how the experience changed his perspective on leadership and growth.

Away from the events industry, Shea reveals his long-standing passion for music, from managing chart-topping artists to launching a new music development label focused on nurturing emerging talent.

Expect insights on:

• Building a values-led business in a highly demanding industry

• Why customer experience starts with the first person attendees meet

• Creating a culture of trust, accountability and professionalism

• The importance of staff retention and career development in events

• Managing risk, crowd safety and large-scale public events

• Letting go as a founder and building a business that can operate without you

• Why work-life balance matters, even during periods of rapid growth

• Following passions outside the day job and the lessons creativity can teach business leaders

This episode is a fascinating conversation about leadership, trust and building a business with purpose. Shea’s story offers a refreshing reminder that sustainable growth starts with people, culture and having the confidence to step back and let others succeed.

Host: David Watt, Partner at Kershaw Partners

Guest: Shea McNelis, Co-Founder, Integrity Security

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Craig Mathie, Co-Founder of Project 30 – an event production and project management business delivering work across some of the UK’s biggest sporting, cultural and brand-led events.

Craig’s route into the industry began at Bournemouth Sevens, where he worked his way from the bottom of the ladder to Managing Director under the mentorship of entrepreneur Dodge Woodall. That experience shaped not only his understanding of events, leadership and commercial delivery, but also his belief in culture, teamwork and backing young talent.

But this conversation goes far deeper than operations and production. Craig speaks openly about the personal journey that led to the creation of Project 30, including his struggles with sexuality, mental health and the counselling process that ultimately changed his life. What emerged from that period was not only a new sense of self, but also a business built around authenticity, people and purpose.

The discussion explores the realities of scaling a modern events business, why small teams can outperform much larger organisations and how Project 30 has built a reputation for delivering major projects across events including Glastonbury, the Ryder Cup, Henley Royal Regatta and the Champions League Final.

Craig also shares his thoughts on leadership, culture and the future of the events industry, particularly the importance of creating environments where younger generations genuinely want to work and grow.

Expect insights on:

• Why authenticity has become one of the most valuable assets in modern business
• The lessons learned from growing up professionally at Bournemouth Sevens
• How counselling and self-development shaped the creation of Project 30
• Why culture and team dynamics matter so much in high-pressure event environments
• The importance of balancing commercial thinking with operational delivery
• How small teams can outperform much larger agencies when trust and accountability are right
• Why live events will become even more important in an increasingly digital world
• The challenges and realities of scaling an independent events business
• Creating a workplace culture that supports wellbeing, family life and long-term growth
• Why enjoying the process matters just as much as achieving the outcome

This episode is an honest and thoughtful conversation about leadership, identity, resilience and what it really takes to build a business people want to be part of. Craig’s openness, ambition and belief in the power of people make this one of the most personal and insightful conversations on Event Matters so far.

Host: David Watt, Partner at Kershaw Partners
Guest: Craig Mathie, Co-Founder, Project 30

In this episode of Event Matters, David Watt is joined by Gavin Farley, Founder and CEO of asembl.group – a fast-growing events ecosystem built on entrepreneurial instinct, resilience and a relentless drive to challenge the traditional agency model.

Gavin shares his journey from promoting nightclub events on the South Coast in the 1990s to building a business that now spans event agencies, venue sourcing, logistics, storage and international expansion. What began with hustle, flyers and a passion for bringing people together has evolved into one of the most ambitious integrated event groups in the UK.

The conversation explores how Gavin’s early experiences in incentive travel shaped his understanding of events, why he always knew he wanted to build something of his own, and how a health scare in his twenties became the catalyst for starting his first business. David and Gavin also discuss the lessons learned through COVID, why the pandemic became a moment of reinvention rather than survival, and how asembl.group was created from a desire to rethink what an event business could become.

Expect insights on:

• Why entrepreneurial instinct and self-belief matter more than having a perfect plan
• How COVID became the catalyst for reinventing the business model
• The thinking behind building an event ecosystem instead of a standalone agency
• Spotting opportunities by solving operational frustrations for clients
• Why live events remain one of the most powerful forms of human connection
• Scaling businesses while maintaining founder energy and ambition
• The realities of risk, resilience and building something from nothing

Gavin’s story is one of ambition, adaptability and constantly looking beyond the traditional boundaries of the events industry. His perspective offers a fascinating look at what modern event businesses could become when growth, innovation and ecosystem thinking all come together.

Host: David Watt, Partner at Kershaw Partners
Guest: Gavin Farley, Founder and CEO of asembl.group