Carole McKellar

Carole McKellar is Vice President, UK & Ireland at HelmsBriscoe, where she supports the growth and success of the company’s UK and Ireland business and Associate community. She has worked in the meetings and events industry since 1999 and has extensive experience in Strategic Meetings Management Programmes (SMMPs), consolidated venue sourcing, and hotel negotiations, helping organisations create smarter, more effective approaches to meetings and events. Carole is widely recognised as one of the industry’s most respected leaders and was inducted into the Events Industry Council Hall of Leaders in 2019 in recognition of her lasting impact on the global business events industry. She has also been recognised as a Woman of Influence and M&IT Personality of the Year for her contribution to the sector.

Before joining HelmsBriscoe, Carole founded and led a successful group of businesses specialising in association management, venue search, event management, training, and professional development. Her achievements in business have been recognised through the Northwest Woman of Achievement Award, the Duke of Westminster Award for Business and Industry, and an Employer of the Year award. A former international board director of Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and former Chair of the MPI Foundation, she is a passionate advocate for professional development, inclusivity, and attracting new talent to the industry. Carole holds an honours degree in Archaeology, a diploma in Training Management with distinction, a CMM certification from MPI, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).