Each week we will focus on a StandOut individual who has been extraordinary within the events industry. This week it is Will Harold, CEO of AMAAD.

How did you get into the events industry? Where has your career taken you, and what roles have you enjoyed?

I fell into it quite accidentally. Probably a familiar tale. I’d excelled in the social aspect of my first year at university ­– discovering nightclubs, electronic music, and after-parties. After that, I didn’t actually go to university very much but had an incredible time. I was working at an infamous nightclub called The Bomb in Nottingham as a junior booker and promoter. I’d never gotten around to telling my parents over the three years at “university” that I wasn’t actually getting a degree. They, of course, thought I’d wasted my life and a small fortune. So I’ve been stubbornly trying to prove them wrong ever since!

Career trajectory:

• The Bomb Nottingham
• Stealth Nottingham
• Renaissance Recordings and Wild in The Country Festival
• Fabric/Matter at The O2
• Founding LWE and AMAAD
• Founding Ticket Tannoy
• Working with the Team at Arcadia Spectacular

What is it about your job that you love doing?

I love music and people. I also love the different elements that combine to make an incredible party. One of my former employers told me, “You do your best work in the trenches”, which is lucky, as being a promoter sometimes has that sort of energy.

What’s been the stand out moment of your career so far?

It’s hard to name one. Junction 2, as a festival, really embodies what we are about and how we like to operate at AMAAD. I think that you don’t often realise the “stand out moments” until the dust settles and you can gain a little perspective and appreciate what you’ve contributed to. Starting Printworks and it going on to win best venue in its first year of operation was an incredible journey.

What have you done that you can now look back on and cringe?

I don’t think there are many things I look back on and cringe about. There will be some questionable haircuts and outfits from 20 years ago, but I think we’ve always acted from a place of integrity. There have been plenty of things that haven’t worked, but that’s part of the game of it all, and there is usually something to learn from the really big blunders.

What key pieces of advice would you give to someone starting in events?

It’s a tough industry to exist in. Make sure you do it for the right reasons. Above all, be honest, it’s a murky pond but ultimately quite a small one.  I think your integrity is one of the most valuable assets you have.

What career goals do you have, and where do you see yourself heading? For example, is there an event that you would love to work on but haven’t?

It’s an exciting time for us; we are enjoying our new partnership with CTS Eventim, and we have lots to achieve in the next few years together. I’ve got ambitions for a camping festival rooted in electronic music. We are working on international plans for Junction 2, which is also exciting.

If you would like to nominate someone for #EventProf of the week, please email marketing@standoutmagazine.co.uk.