Meet Team Sleek: Eva Ryan, Resourcing Manager
Behind every great event is a great team - and making sure the right people are in the right place at the right time is where Eva Ryan comes in.
As Sleek’s Resourcing Manager, Eva sits at the centre of it all, bringing together our internal teams and freelance network to build the perfect project teams for every brief. With a background in event delivery and over two decades in the industry, she understands exactly what it takes to make events run smoothly.
From the fast-paced nature of resourcing to her love of sporting events and the big reveal moment, we caught up with Eva to talk about her journey into the role, what she enjoys most about the job, and why the people side of events is what makes it all worthwhile.
Eva Ryan, Resourcing Manager at Sleek
How would you describe your role as Resourcing Manager at Sleek in your own words?
Fast-paced, collaborative and constantly evolving. Priorities change daily because you never quite know what’s coming in. A pitch might land and you have to drop everything to build the team, or something shifts on a project and you need to problem-solve quickly.
But that’s what I love about it. I’m very much a people person, so I liaise with everyone across the business and keep things collaborative and transparent. There’s a lot of thought and care that goes into putting the right people into the right teams - making sure the fit works for the client, the project and the individuals involved. You need clarity, good judgement and strong communication, because you end up working with everyone in the business at some point.
What does a typical day or week look like for you?
I usually start the day with a plan, but it doesn’t always end up that way! Mondays are packed with meetings, setting the tone for the week, and by Friday I’ve normally ticked everything off. My list might look quite different to how it started, but that’s life in events - there are always moving parts.
I’m constantly catching up with different departments and our amazing freelancers. One day I might be piecing together the Live team for one of our large Summits, and the next I’m speaking to creative designers, producers or technical production managers to fill in gaps we might have in other teams. Every week looks slightly different, and I genuinely enjoy that variety. I also always make time for the team to drop in and align on their capacity and aspirations - this visibility is key to making everything run smoothly.
What are your main responsibilities and what do you enjoy most?
My core responsibility is building the right teams for every brief - whether that’s for a pitch or a live project. That means understanding timelines, budgets, skill requirements and client expectations, while balancing internal capacity and freelance support. I also need to forward plan and forecast potential gaps within the different teams.
The part I enjoy the most is definitely the people side. I love maintaining relationships with freelancers and working with different personalities across the business. A big part of my role is ensuring all stakeholders are fully informed about the options and possibilities for different project teams - really thinking about people’s skillsets, their career goals, and how they’ll fit with a particular client. There’s a lot of care and thought that goes into getting those combinations right, and when it works well, there is a real feeling of achievement.
How did you get into your role - can you tell us a bit about your background?
I’ve always worked in events. I spent about eight years at Imagination in different departments, then went freelance for around 15 years, where I met Jen as our paths overlapped on projects.
I was mainly in delivery and logistics - I’d never worked in resourcing and had never really thought about it before. Jen actually approached me about getting involved in resourcing because she felt my experience and understanding of delivery and my freelance background would translate well. At the time, I was looking to do something a bit different, but still stay connected to events. It felt like the right move - and I haven’t looked back!
What led you to Sleek and what was your first impression of the company?
I’d known about Sleek for years and first started working with them in a freelance capacity after I’d had my twins, back in the old Richmond offices. So I’ve seen how the company has grown and developed over time.
In the early days, Jen did so much herself with a small team around her. Over time, she’s built a really strong structure and brought in the right people at the right time. The growth has felt organic and thoughtful, which I really respect. There’s always been a strong sense of collaboration and care. The people are also kind, supportive and fun, which made it an easy decision to join more permanently.
What type of briefs or challenges that get you really excited?
I love the big reveal moment - when you walk into a space and there’s a real emotional reaction. When the lights go down and the music comes on, that feeling never gets old. It doesn’t really matter what type of event it is - it’s that emotion and shared buzz that I love being part of.
If I had to choose, I do have a soft spot for sporting events. I worked on the Champions League finals, which was incredible. The scale, the energy and the passion around it were amazing to experience. And as always it was the wonderful people I worked with that made is so special.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received during your career?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
It originally related to having twins, so this piece of advice perhaps works better on a personal level. As I’m very detail-oriented and like everything to be as perfect as they can be, I find it more difficult to follow this advice at work. But in this industry where change is inevitable and so many moving parts - it’s easy to stress over every detail. Sometimes you have to put things into perspective, stay level-headed, prioritise and keep calm!
What advice would you give someone starting out in the events industry?
Enjoy it. It can be a tough industry and you do have to work hard, but you need to really feel it and want it. Most people who stay in events genuinely love it - that’s what makes them great at it.
You need that fire in your belly. If you’re looking for a strict 9 to 5, it might not be the right fit. But if you thrive on energy, teamwork and creating unforgettable moments, it’s incredibly rewarding.
What are you most looking forward to this year with Sleek?
The continued growth of the team and refining our processes. We’ve introduced a new software, Runn, which has really helped me and the team manage capacity and forecasting more effectively. In an industry that’s prone to burnout, Sleek has invested in making sure we have everything in place, to make sure our team are looked after. Because, when you’re at your best, you can do your best work.
I’m also enjoying working more closely with others as the team expands - it’s great to bounce ideas off colleagues and gain different perspectives. We’re also building a fantastic freelance network, which makes a huge difference. Networking, staying connected with new talent and strengthening our talent pool is something I really enjoy. When you discover a brilliant new freelancer and see them thrive on a project, it’s incredibly rewarding. As Sleek grows, it’s all about getting better and better at building the right teams.
From balancing busy project teams to building strong relationships with freelancers, Eva plays a key role in making sure Sleek’s projects are set up for success from the very start.
Her collaborative approach, industry experience and genuine love for the people behind the work help keep our teams running smoothly - no matter how fast-paced things get.
And if you’re ever looking for Eva around the office, there’s a good chance you’ll find her with a cup of tea in hand, chatting through the next project or planning the perfect team for the next big brief.
Want to create experiences that are thoughtfully led and flawlessly delivered, or interested in joining a team where you’re trusted to grow and thrive?
Get in touch with us to see how Sleek can bring your ideas to life.
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