Strategic leadership shift for The Occasionall Group
The Occasionall Group, a leading provider of event staffing solutions, today announces a strategic leadership transition that reflects both its growth and its commitment to people-first values. Managing director Josh Heyburn will be shifting his focus from daily operations as he begins a new role as lecturer in event management at Buckinghamshire New University, while long-time team leader Natalie Evans is promoted to people and culture director. Together, these changes represent both stability and evolution, as the company enters its next chapter with confidence.
Josh’s Message:
“Founding this company and leading it through the past few years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. It’s been fast-paced, people-driven, and full of growth - and it’s only possible because of the brilliant team around me.
This shift marks a new chapter, not a departure. Becoming Founding Director allows me to focus more intentionally on strategic leadership, while starting a new role as a Lecturer in Event Management - a space where I hope to bring industry insights to the classroom, while also bringing a fresh perspective back into the business.
I’m incredibly proud of everything TOG has become, and proud to see Natalie formally step into the role of People & Culture Director. Her leadership, insight, and commitment have shaped the company in ways that most people don’t even notice - and I can think of no more capable person to take it forward.
With this transition, our clients, partners, and staff can expect more of what they’ve always known from TOG: thoughtful delivery, responsive leadership, and a people-first approach that puts culture at the centre of everything we do.”
Natalie’s Leadership & Continuity
Having worked closely with Josh to build and grow the company, Natalie has been pivotal in shaping TOG’s team-centred culture, developing the systems that underpin its success, and leading operations with consistency and care. Her promotion formally recognises this impact, while also reassuring clients and partners that the same high standard of service will continue seamlessly.
From Natalie:
“I’m honoured to step into the role of People & Culture Director at The Occasionall Group. Working alongside Josh to grow this business has been an incredible journey. My priority now is to ensure that our team and clients continue to feel fully supported - there will be no change to the level of excellence our clients expect from TOG.”
What This Means for the Team & Clients
Josh will continue to support the business strategically, particularly during peak event seasons, while Natalie provides strong, day-to-day leadership. This transition has been designed to be seamless, ensuring clients continue to experience the same reliability, professionalism, and exceptional service TOG is known for.
Looking Ahead
The Occasionall Group remains committed to delivering excellence for clients, staff, and the wider events community. With a leadership transition built on trust, shared values, and continuity, the company is poised for continued growth and success.
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The Occasionall Group launch ‘Trees-For-All’
Making event staffing practices more sustainable, one tree at a time.
The Occasionall Group, home to Festivall Staff and Occasionall Staff, has prioritised sustainability since being founded in 2021. As an event staffing agency, ensuring their recruitment practices are as sustainable as possible can pose a challenge, so they have had to be creative when thinking of new initiatives.
Enter Trees-For-All, an initiative offering their clients the chance to pay to plant a tree for every member of staff they book through The Occasionall Group. This all new initiative will give clients the opportunity to add to the Occasionall Forest on international soil or right here in the UK. This will not only aid in attaining net zero for carbon emissions from staff travelling to site, but may also become the industry’s first carbon-negative staffing solution.
A key priority is working with events and clients who uphold these same values and sustainability standards. Not only do they aim to work at events that encourage sustainable practices, but they want to do their part with a positive contribution to any events they send staff to..
This goes hand in hand with The Occasionall Group’s promise to plant a tree for every staff member booked per season, which they have been doing since 2021. In 2024, they also planted a tree for every response to their End of Summer Survey and Festive Feedback Forms. Where select staff won £25 vouchers as a thank you for completing these, the option to plant 25 trees was added which a few of the staff opted for. As a result, they managed to plant 1064 trees in 2024 and plan to keep increasing this year upon year.
Whilst exhibiting at the Event Production Show and International Confex this week, they announced the ‘Trees-For-All’ initiative where they pledged to plant a tree for everyone who attended their stands between 3 - 4pm - or as they aptly called it ‘Tree-o’Clock’. By doing this they had the chance to explain the importance of sustainability when hiring event staff. The Group are delighted to be adding 19 trees to the Occasional Forest thanks to this. From these trees, the emissions created from travelling to site by their staff who worked across both stands at these events will be completely eradicated by this time next year.
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The Occasionall Group celebrates success on Eras Tour and promotes key team member
The Occasionall Group, a leading provider of staffing solutions for events nationwide, is thrilled to announce the successful completion of their largest project to date – providing staff for Taylor Swift’s iconic The Eras Tour. The company proudly reflects on the remarkable achievements of the team during this tour and is excited to announce a significant promotion and expansion within the company.
A Milestone Achievement: Staffing The Eras Tour
The Eras Tour, a global sensation, saw The Occasionall Group rise to the challenge of staffing events of unprecedented scale. Across 1125 shifts and over 7,000 hours of dedicated service, Occasionall Staff team members played a key role in enhancing the customer experience. With over 300 staff members on the ground this summer, the company was responsible for the distribution of over a million Pixmob wristbands, boosting the concert experience for Taylor Swift’s fans and creating unforgettable memories as the audience became part of the performance through synchronised light displays. This monumental task highlights the company’s commitment to excellence and showcases the scale and strength of its staffing capabilities.
Celebrating Internal Growth: Ella Haynes Promoted to Event Staffing Manager
In recognition of her exceptional leadership and contribution to the success of The Eras Tour staff fulfilment, Ella Haynes is promoted to Event Staffing Manager at The Occasionall Group. Ella, who has been with the company for almost two years, has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead, motivate, and deliver outstanding results under pressure. Her promotion is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and the pivotal role she played in coordinating the large-scale staffing efforts required for the tour.
“Having the opportunity to work on The Eras Tour was definitely a pinch-me moment for The Occasionall Group Team,” Ella recalls. “Though there were high-pressure moments, the joy and feeling of accomplishment that followed made it all worth it. The whole team worked incredibly hard to ensure it was such a success - and I’m personally so pleased to see that success rewarded in the form of a new role.”
As Event Staffing Manager, Ella will now oversee an expanded team of Staffing Assistants and Coordinators across both agencies; Festivall Staff and Occasionall Staff. This promotion marks a significant milestone not just in her career, but also in the growth and development of The Occasionall Group as a whole.
Additionally, Gabriella Cliffe will be rejoining the staffing team, as Staffing and Content Coordinator, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for delivering exceptional service. Her return is a key part of the company’s strategy to strengthen its staffing capabilities, distinguish its employee content & marketing, and continue its trajectory of growth.
Looking Ahead: Continued Growth and Success
With the completion of The Eras Tour, The Occasionall Group is more committed than ever to providing top-tier staffing solutions for events of all shapes and sizes. From festivals to sporting events, concerts and even conferences, the company’s recent successes and internal promotions underscore its dedication to nurturing talent and delivering exceptional services to clients.
As The Occasionall Group looks to the future, it remains focused on expanding its reach, developing its team, and continuing to set the standard for excellence in event staffing in the events industry.
For more information, please visit www.theoccasionall.group or contact the team: hello@theoccasionall.group | [+44] 01144 055 044. You can also meet the team in person at Showman’s Show and Event Buyers Live in 2024, or Event Production Show/Confex in 2025.
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Introducing ON:Occasion; the new network for the events community
To celebrate the launch of their new staffing agency, Occasionall Staff, The Occasionall Group has launched an in-person networking series to bring together all events people around the UK. In addition to their existing staff, they will be extending the invite to any clients, freelancers, academics, events lovers, and anyone else who is looking to meet new faces within the industry.
ON:Occasion is kicking off with ‘The New Era Tour’ visiting four cities spanning over three weeks in May. This is to encourage the staff working with them over the Summer to connect before the event days and wider conversations within the events community.
The first of these events will be in Edinburgh, inside The Library Gallery at Summerhall on Tuesday 7th May. Liverpool is next, taking over Surfer’s Cove at Tiki Hideaway the following Tuesday 14th May. They then head down to Cardiff on Saturday 18th May to celebrate at the Beer Hall inside Tiny Rebel, which is situated opposite the Principality Stadium, making it the ideal location for event professionals. The New Era Tour will conclude in London on Tuesday 21st May at Metronome, a new multi-purpose venue from confetti - institute of creative technologies.
Alongside the announcement of their networking events, the Occasionall Group has also created the ON:Occasion Networking Group on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13026293/), where members can connect with other event professionals allowing them to learn more about Occasionall Staff, Festivall Staff and the wider events industry as a whole. Priority tickets for the networking events were released at 6pm Monday 29th April to those who joined this group and all future events will be listed here first.
General tickets, costing just £6 each and including your first drink, will be available via the Occasionall Group website from 6pm on Tuesday 30th April. A tree will also be planted for each ticket sold.
This is just the first of many ON:Occasion events with the Group already planning more networking events later this year. They are incredibly excited to build a community of events people who can look to each other for advice or simply comfort after a busy summer season.
Get your tickets now at https://www.theoccasionall.group/onoccasion
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Festivall Services is leaping into a new era this year
Since the bounceback after COVID, Festivall Services has offered temporary staffing solutions to a variety of events all year round - namely festivals and festive events. Despite their continued growth, they have managed to uphold their high welfare standards, with their offer of the living wage - for which they are accredited - and fair breaks exceeding employment legislation expectations. Their dedication to sustainability, including planting a tree for each employee or freelancer per season, has attracted staff and clients alike who share their values; from this, they have successfully formed partnerships and solidified their place within the events industry.
As they enter 2024, Festivall has grown its client and staff database to a level where they can offer high-quality staff for all kinds of events. As the company grows and expands into new areas of the events industry, it is only fitting that they grow with it. While they continue to focus on festivals and festive events, they also want to build their network of event professionals to work conferences, concerts, sporting events, and - quite simply - all sorts of occasions. As a result, they waited until 29th February to announce that Festivall Services has become The Occasionall Group - launching the new brand on Day 2 of The Event Production Show.
Managing Director Josh Heyburn said, “It’s so exciting to be back at The Event Production Show a year on from our first-ever exhibit under our new identity - which encompasses who we are and who we aspire to be. After months of telling people we do so much more than festivals, we can now demonstrate that under this new brand - and have a very exciting year ahead of us.”
The new identity was established through conversation and collaboration with Electric Cat Productions; a marketing agency specialising in the events industry. “We were thrilled to support our long-term friends at Festivall in bringing their creative vision to life. It is so exciting to deliver a rebrand that is fun, eye-catching, and bound to make a strong impact.” said Director, Cat Kevern.
Later this year the group will launch Occasionall Staff to go alongside their existing agency Festivall Staff, giving clients the option to hire from either branch to offer a workforce with fitting experience suited for all their specific wants or needs.
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