Meet Team Sleek: Claire Highton Barge, Head of People and Culture
This month, we’re celebrating another milestone with Claire Highton Barge, our Head of People & Culture, who has been shaping the people-first ethos that Sleek was founded on, and makes it so special.
From creating initiatives that support wellbeing and growth to championing a culture where everyone can thrive, Claire’s passion for people is at the heart of everything we do. We sat down with her to reflect on her journey at Sleek, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and what makes working here truly unique.
Claire Highton Barge, Head of People & Culture at Sleek Events
What does your job as Head of People & Culture entail?
My job, in a nutshell, is to help people do their best work. – To be in a company that’s a great fit and create space for them to be themselves, and the best versions of it. It’s about making sure that what they do at Sleek feels like it means something to them, that they feel seen as human beings who are growing, learning, and capable of more than they realise.
I see my role as part cheerleader, part enabler. I love those moments when someone says, “I’m not sure I can do this,” and then you see them absolutely nail it. That’s what it’s all about – creating the right environment, honest feedback, and goals so people can focus, grow, and feel proud of what they achieve.
And it’s not just about the work. When you see friendships forming or healthy debates happening, you know people care. That’s when you’ve got the culture right. My job is to build the framework that allows all of that to happen – the space where people can connect, challenge, and flourish.
What does a typical day or week look like for you?
There isn’t one!
It’s as broad as it is long – no two days are ever the same. Because we walk alongside people, and you can’t predict people’s lives, you can’t predict what each day will bring.
I often say my role is a balance between being on the dance floor and being on the balcony overlooking it. On the dance floor, I’m right there with the team – experiencing things alongside them, hearing their challenges or suggestions, and keeping the day-to-day moving. Then I head up to the balcony, where I can see the bigger picture – thinking about strategy, innovation, and what we need to start, stop, or do differently.
Right now, I’m reading Powerful by Patty McCord, who helped shape Netflix’s culture, and it’s a great reminder that we all partner in making the business achieve its goals - we all have power. That’s a big part of my week too – making sure we’re empowering, not micro-managing. So yes, some days are dance floor days, some are balcony days – and you never quite know what song’s coming next.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
I’m repeating a bit, but for me, it’s seeing people achieve things they didn’t think they could. Watching friendships form, confidence grow, and teams come together – that’s the real reward.
I don’t always see the client’s reaction first-hand, but when I read the feedback or see the client’s satisfaction scores, it’s such a proud moment. I try every year to visit or actually wear my Producer shoes again (more on that later) for our flagship show - I love seeing the team deliver as one and the reactions of attendees. It’s knowing that what our people do genuinely leaves an impact on them and makes a difference for our customers. That feeling of being wanted and valued – it’s pretty special.
How did you come to Sleek and Head of People & Culture?
I spent a good chunk of my career as an event producer, working on everything from car launches to large-scale televised award shows. After years on the road, I wanted something different – a fresh challenge that combined my operational experience with a chance to make a real impact on people.
I joined a fast-growing startup early on as EA to the co-founders, helping scale from 32 to 350 employees globally in just over two years. I remember part of my job description was to ‘create a culture’. Being part of that growth taught me about commerciality, operations, team integration, communication, people, and leveraging technology – lessons I couldn’t have learned anywhere else. I eventually joined the People team full time and I knew I found my fit.
When Sleek needed someone full-time to lead the People team, it felt like my two worlds merging. I started focusing on wellbeing, engagement, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, and quickly expanded into a broader strategic role. What’s helped me most is a deep understanding of what it's like working in events – understanding our team’s challenges and how we could support them.
Jen’s belief in people is central – if she sees someone can do something, she pushes them to try it. That philosophy of challenge and support inspired me to take on a role I’d never imagined for myself. Do I always get it right? Absolutely not; but that’s part of the process - iterating, listening, learning and going again - our intention is always good. My background in events gave me the skills and insight to recruit, train, and develop people effectively, and it’s invaluable in everything I do now.
Sleek is known for it’s people-first culture - what does that mean for you personally?
To me, it means seeing people as the individual human beings that they are. It’s about speaking to each other as adults, with respect, honesty and trust. It’s about helping people take ownership of their journey and where they’re headed - as adults, why would you want to put your destination in the hands of someone else? We’re not here to parent or dictate; we’re here as equals, supporting each other to grow.
I know that can feel scary for some – as humans, neatness and process can feel comforting - being told exactly what to do or what the company wants for them. But that approach doesn’t foster innovation or long-term growth. A people-first culture is about trusting people, encouraging them to explore why they come to work, and creating space for them to develop both professionally and personally. When you genuinely put people at the heart of everything you do, it works – for them and for the business.
What initiatives are you most proud of introducing or shaping at Sleek so the team feels supported, motivated, and recognised?
I’d start with our peer-nominated awards for recognition, the Vibe awards. The fact that the team chooses who gets recognised makes it a brilliant way to build camaraderie. It rewards people in a truly authentic way, not through bonuses, but through genuine acknowledgment of their efforts and impact.
I also think there’s more we can do to celebrate achievement and help people feel motivated. That could be through goal-setting, celebrating milestones, or recognising when someone masters a new skill – even without a promotion. Feeling that sense of accomplishment is incredibly motivating and reinforces that people are growing and contributing.
Another initiative I’m really proud of is Sleek Academy. Investing in our team to learn, grow, and try new things is something I’ve rarely seen at other agencies. It demonstrates how much we genuinely care about developing our people and enabling them to master new skills that they might not have had the opportunity to do elsewhere. Again, it’s all about progress and growth.
What are you most excited about for Sleek over the next year?
What excites me most about the year ahead is the freedom and trust we have to keep experimenting and evolving how we do things. It’s not about changing for the sake of it, or overwhelming people, but about having the appetite to explore new ways of working until we find what sticks – even if it only sticks for a while. People change. Life changes. Culture, tools, the world around us – nothing stands still.
That’s why our approach has to stay agile. We respond to the environment we’re in and create the best conditions for our team to keep doing their best work, no matter what’s coming next. That mindset of continuous, thoughtful evolution is what energises me most.
What advice would you give someone looking to create a people-first culture in their own company?
First and foremost, recognise people as human beings and adults. Get to know them, be accessible, and spend time with them. One of the worst things a company can do is shut leaders away in a separate room (and even physically!) – visibility and availability are key.
Design experiences and systems with your people in mind, almost like you’re creating something you’d want to use yourself. If you wouldn’t “buy it,” think carefully about whether it will truly resonate with your team. If you truly want to see if it’s purchase-worthy, temporarily discontinue the line - is it missed? If yes, can you reintroduce it with a new and improved formula?
And remember, you won’t get it right all the time. Sometimes there are no perfect solutions - what matters most is genuine intention. People can sense it when you genuinely care and want to try, and that authenticity is what makes a people-first culture work.
Claire’s commitment to building a culture where people feel valued, supported, and inspired shines through every day. Her dedication has helped make Sleek a place where our team can flourish, and our clients feel the benefits too.
We’re proud to celebrate Claire and all the ways she continues to shape our people-first culture - here’s to many more milestones ahead!
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