Olivia: Can you tell us a little bit about your professional background and what led you to joining CloserStill?

Rob: Funnily enough, I knew from about the age of eleven that I wanted to be in sales. I studied business at university and after graduating, I joined a tech company where I progressed from telesales to UK Sales Manager.

At the time, one of my colleagues had a friend - Michael Westcott - who was starting an events business… CloserStill Media. Despite being about to get married and have my first child, I took a chance and joined the company - I just knew it was something special. Sixteen years later, I’m still here, and CloserStill has grown far beyond anything I could have imagined.

Olivia: You've been with the company from the start and seen through the very first event launches. What did those early days look like?

Rob: The main difference is that in the early days, everyone knew each other really well because the business was so small. Today, with over 900 people globally, it’s impossible to meet everyone, but we do our best to maintain a sense of community. With growth comes access to many skilled people you might not have known otherwise, and it’s rewarding to see everyone’s achievements.

Olivia: Do you think the company culture has evolved over time?

Rob: One thing that’s remained consistent is our core values - empathy, determination, integrity, teamwork, and ownership. We had a clear vision from the start, and we’ve stayed true to it. On a different note, the social side of work has improved a lot as we’ve grown. The parties and team events we can hold today are incredible and something everyone genuinely looks forward to.

Olivia: What were some of the internal challenges the company faced during those major growth phases like expanding into US and Germany?

Rob: The biggest challenge has always been establishing a presence in a new market. Internationally, it’s even tougher - not only are you new to the audience, but you’re also outside their culture. You’re not a vet, dentist, or pharmacist, and you’re not German either. Building trust and credibility was always difficult, but we found ways to make it work.

The US was a different story and probably the most interesting expansion for me. The challenge was that we started with no footprint or local resources, so we had to build partnerships before even setting foot on the ground. Every market has its own nuances, but that’s part of the fun!

Olivia: What qualities do you think make a successful CloserStillian?

Rob: When I’m hiring, I look for people who have enough experience to understand their role, but I also value broader knowledge and key traits. Punctuality, professionalism, and how someone presents themselves are important, as is seeing strong salesmanship in action. Beyond skills, personality fit is crucial - someone can be exceptional, but if they clash with the team, it won’t work. During the interview process I try and keep an open mind as to where a person can fit. There are a few examples recently of people applying for a job, but ending up being placed on a different team because we feel the fit would be better.

Olivia: How did your leadership style evolve as you moved from sales to show management, and now your current role?

Rob: I think my work ethic has stayed consistent throughout my career, and at CloserStill, that’s usually a good indicator of who will succeed - people who consistently give their all. As a leader, I make it a priority to put people in the right role, on the right show at the right time so they can truly thrive.

I learned the importance of this early on. After three months on a new project, I was told I wasn’t ready to be an Event Director. I was devastated at the time but now I realise it was the right decision. I was placed in a role that allowed me to develop properly, and a year later I became Event Director - still challenged, but growing in the right way. That experience shaped how I lead today: ensuring people have the right opportunities at the right time, even if it feels frustrating in the moment.

Olivia: What has inspired you most during your time at CloserStill?

Rob: The people. Walk around the company, no matter the department, and you’ll see talented, professional, and driven individuals. For me, it’s all about connecting with each other, and encouraging the  very best out of each other, to deliver the best results for the business and making sure there’s a bit of fun along the way.

Olivia: If you could give advice to someone just joining the company today, what would it be?

Rob: Keep an open mind. Work as hard as you can at whatever you're doing. If you see an opportunity, talk about it. If you see a problem that you think you can help solve, talk about it.

Olivia: What achievement are you most proud of in your time here?

Rob: The launch of the London Vet Show is up there for me. It has grown into a massive event, and I’m proud to have played a significant role in that journey. On the international side, the US launch is one I was most personally involved in. The team did an incredible job getting the event up and running, and I’m proud of the early groundwork I helped lay that made it possible.

Olivia: Finally, what’s your favourite part of your job?

Rob: I know this is the most common answer, but it’s true for a reason: the team. We keep each other going every single day. Outside of that, my favourite part of the job used to be sales. I loved it because it had a clear start and finish - you could see whether you’d done a good job. Heading home on a Friday knowing you’d hit your target was incredibly satisfying.

Now my role has evolved, what I  really enjoy is the strategic side. I love analysing a show’s potential, working out budgets or business plans, and generally helping teams develop and perform. It’s a very different challenge from being on the sales front line, but it’s just as rewarding in its own way.

London Vet Show 2009

London Vet Show 2025