Who we are
The wealth of knowledge and experience within the Benchmark team is gained from more than 30 years in the events industry working with small independents and major global brands, creating empowering working environments within the teams we support.
Our ethos is underpinned by one key principle; it’s always all about the people. The success the Benchmark team creates time and time again comes from genuine passion, authenticity and transparency where our customer-centric focus fosters long term relationships. This is at the heart of all we do.
No one's got time for long-winded bios. Cut the waffle you say? Challenge accepted!
Debbie Lee
Commercial Kingpin
Event Industry Experience: 23 years in events, an experienced Commercial Director who has led sales teams within global contractor businesses and event organisers, working on events of all shapes and sizes across the world.
Fun Fact: I was an artistic roller dancer as a child, winning medals in my early teens, until other things distracted me!
Likes: I love living by the sea and walking my dog in all weathers, there is nothing like blowing the cobwebs away on a daily basis! I enjoy healthy living and a glass of gin and I am slightly obsessed with redecorating my home, constantly!
Dislikes: Chocolate flavoured anything, small spaces, hot weather, oysters, arrogance.
Emma Armstrong
Rebook Queen
Event Industry Experience: 30 years in exhibitions; Product Ambassador, Team Leader, Stand Manager, Logistics Coordinator, Sales Executive, Account Manager, Global Talent Manager, Sales Trainer, Mentor and Founder & Co-Director!
Fun Fact: Lived and worked as a model in Tokyo. Worked for the world’s largest classic car auction company. Qualified Interior Designer, taught by Kelly Hoppen MBE. Compulsive globetrotter!
Likes: Travelling to cities and far away places. Meeting people and learning new things. Watching movies, at the cinema or at home in pj’s! Enjoying my teenage girls. Making vegetable juice, wellbeing and feeling fit and strong. Swimming in the ocean!
Dislikes: Unkind behaviour.
Helen Patching
Training Pundit
Event Industry Experience: 18 years experience in event management, logistics, sports hospitality, onsite global exhibition sales and as a Sales Trainer.
Fun Fact: My former career was as a professional performer on tour and in London’s West End.
Likes: Sales (especially F2F) and presenting, the beach, cockapoos, chicken flavoured crisps, finding a local park run on my BC travels, tennis and the music of Sting.
Dislikes: Smelly people on public transport, snakes, reptiles in general, clowns & cold climates.
Katie Donnelly
Operations Powerhouse
Event Industry Experience: 12 years in the exhibition and event industry, account manager, onsite sales executive, operations manager, rebook manager, resourcing and logistics.
Fun Fact: Swam competitively from the age of 4 until my teens when, coincidentally, frizzy hair went out of fashion.
Likes: Breakfast, art, meeting new people, espresso martini, walking up big hills, playing and failing at squash or badminton, family, friends and my 2 bambinos (aka toddlers).
Dislikes: Tech when it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do.