Meet the team
Neil and John both met on day one of their contracts for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and have stayed in touch ever since. They have a shared passion for seeing people grow and develop through educational programs and initiatives linked to the events industry.
John Grieve
John has embraced the truly international nature of the events industry, managing a wide variety of projects in UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Oceania. Progressing from sound engineering at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, into venue and festival production management, he then moved into sport to oversee transport operations and workforce management at the 2012 London Olympics and the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Recognising the skills events could unlock, John designed immersive vocational training programmes with supported placements at major events, partnering with Edinburgh University, Edinburgh College, BBC Scotland, the British Council and the Jobcentre to deliver courses across the UK, Middle East and Africa.
After moving to New Zealand as Event Director at Sport Wellington, running some of the country’s largest sporting events and award shows and introducing award-winning carbon reduction and community development programmes, before most recently supporting New Zealand Government Ministries, Regional Councils and the Climate Change Commission on events strategy. Now back in Scotland, John is delighted to have partnered with Neil to launch EveryStage.
Neil MacLeod
Neil is a dedicated educator and events professional with a career spanning grassroots community sport, major international events and mental health advocacy.
He began in Active Schools before discovering his love for events through the 2011 International Children’s Games. After moving to Vancouver as Volunteer Manager for GranFondo Canada, he saw first-hand the transformative power of events on young interns.
Back in Glasgow, he coordinated Games Workforce and managed Athletics at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, before spending nine years lecturing in Events Management at Glasgow Clyde College and gaining his TQFE, all while delivering contract work for Kiltwalk, the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the NFL London Series. Most recently, Neil has trained in mental health first aid, suicide prevention and counselling skills through his volunteering with Men Matter Scotland.
Lucy Smith
Lucy Smith is our Communications & Engagement Manager at EveryStage.
In this role, Lucy leads communications strategy, raises awareness of our work, and strengthens engagement with our partners, communities, and the wider events industry.
Lucy brings a range of experience in project management, events, and the arts, alongside a passion for creating opportunities that connect people with skills and confidence. She was first introduced to events management at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and has since gone on to produce a wide range of projects. As founder of Brutal Collective, a Glasgow based initiative, she has produced art exhibitions, club events and volunteer workshops, supporting emerging artists and musicians in the early stages of their creative careers.
Cairistiona Fletcher
Cairistiona is the key contact for course participants, playing a vital role in organising course information and assisting with the delivery of our Introduction to Events Management and Social Media and Marketing courses.
With a background in design, Cairistiona graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a degree in Fashion Design. Her creative background kickstarted a career in the events industry as she has since managed a major exhibition, collaborated with parters such as Ardbeg House and been featured in Vogue, alongside creative projects and commissions since university.
