Tel: +4407970646705

MIKE BELL works as a freelance event, experiential & exhibition designer and visualiser for 'live' experiences - in sketch, CAD, 2D, and 3D renders, and as standalone 'video fly-throughs' or interactive 3D walk-throughs on -screen and as augmented reality models. He also project manages the ideas to help create the produced solution on-site.

Mike has designed and produced award-winning live events - in the UK, USA, Far & Middle East - working with various agencies creating memorable events, exhibitions & experiences all over the world.
In addition a background in creative staging companies - working at senior level within Creative Technology, Delta Sound, Unit One, and founder of MCL - Mike has a robust knowledge and network of technical expertise to help realise most creative concepts.

Awesome: events - 2D / 3D venue layouts, design and planning

Blueway: conferences - 2D / 3D lectern layouts, designs

Brainstorm: conferences - 2D / 3D venue layouts, design and planning, project management

Catherine Turner Ltd: events - 3D designs, layouts and visuals for team-building construction

Collective Minds: events - 3D designs, venue layouts and visuals for events

ES Group: events - 3D visualisation outdoor structures UK & Middle East

ESC Events: events - 3D visuals for events

Eventful Management: exhibitions - design, CAD and visuals

Forman's: events - venue design and development for 2012

g2-Live: conferences - 2D / 3D set design, visuals and CAD

GSP: launch event - 2D 3D visuals

Gyro: experiential / exhibition - design, development, 3D and project management

Halogen: exhibition - 3D visuals

Helix 3D: experiential / exhibition - design, development, 3D and project management

Initials: experiential - design and visual development

Limelight: exhibition - 2D / 3D design and visuals

Seventeen Events: event - production design and management

Storm Events: conference - 3D set design and visuals

Tiger Communications: exhibition - 2D / 3D design and visuals

Wave: exhibition - 3D exhibition design and visuals

Zinc Management: event - production design and management

Mike Bell
Date of birth: 30th March 1964
Mobile: +44 7970 646 705
Email: [email protected]
Licence: Full driving licence (clean)
Family: Married – 4 children & a dog
Interests: Fiction, poetry, writing, painting, and wall-building


Summary:

Strong production, client management and messaging awareness - visually astute, budget-conscious, and able to ‘see’ the client’s point-of-view, whilst never losing sight of the agency’s ambition to serve its customers, repeat the business, and still make money in Events, Exhibitions and Experiential projects.


Production/Business Skills:

 Design and visualisation
 Message and technology integration into live event design
 Creativity – from initial pitch concepts through to final on-screen content
 Writing proposals, budgets and pitch presentations
 Live project and budget management – strong profit-driven focus


Work & Experience


September 2007 – Present: Freelance Designer and Development

Mike is currently working with various agencies on pitch and live project development and design.
• Was employed by ‘Science Of..’ in December 08 to act as Project Director for ‘Science of Survival’ installation in Middle East: now cancelled due to budget issues.
• Numerous Experiential projects designs – including ‘The World’s Biggest Bed Jump’ in New York – design, production and project delivery – see http://www.mikebell.eu/p/design-portfolio-events.html
• Various live event project pitch design, development and delivery – UK & Europe – see http://www.mikebell.eu/p/portfolio-events.html
• Various exhibition design and development – see http://www.mikebell.eu/p/portfolio-exhibitions.html


October 2002 – August 2007: Clever Works Limited – Head of Production/Design

Mike Bell established Clever Works Ltd, based in Lewes, East Sussex. The company successfully worked as the production and account team on a variety of projects, sometimes representing various event management agencies and communication agencies, to their clients, including Tate & Lyle, Nissan Europe, Smiths Group, Samsung, Shell, LG, and Vodafone – alongside agency Project Directors, Event Managers, and Managing Directors – helping win, develop and deliver business at senior level. Mike Bell won the following business (pitch and rosters) for Clever Works and its agency clients:
 COI (Central Office of Information) - successful roster listing in 2006 for Clever Works against strong competition from established/larger agencies.
 Haymarket awards shows – eight awards shows around the UK – assisted in the delivery of £800k+ worth of awards events: consulted on improvements and change to ‘the Haymarket way’.
 HSBC – Culture Change Road show – temporary structures (200m x 200m) in four locations, for 30,000 staff communication activity – I was responsible for production development for LIVE. We pitched the project for £4.2m: currently on hold. This was based upon the award-winning BUPA ‘Long Run’ installation model.
 Global Asset Management – live communication events production in UK, Europe, Beirut, and Hong Kong. I pitched for the production opportunity on behalf of Octopus – this win has led to over £1m worth of business for Octopus over three years. Our solutions - which I both account managed and delivered - won three ITMA production awards for this client.
 Internal communication road shows for London Underground, on behalf of LIVE, staff communication project (9,000 staff) – budget £1.75m+: responsible for content production, budget management and development, communication strategy and production delivery.
 Touring exhibition for WDA, for Shelton Fleming – complete production and structure budget £850k+ - I was responsible for design, development, and installation within Lindstrand-designed inflatable structures, as well as client handling and content development.
 UK Skills conferences, awards and exhibitions in the UK – complete budget £250k+ over 1.5 years: responsible for account management and event development and delivery – ongoing work.
 HP Europe & Vodafone – won a listing on the production rosters for BI Worldwide in 2006 – a first for BI with these clients.


March 2002 – Oct. 2002: Octopus Communications – London - Head of Production

 Produced and managed all events – from conferences to integrated brand and live communication projects. Projects included video shoots (direction and writing), live events (USA, Europe, UK & Middle East), and software production (PowerPoint & Keynote)
 Created and managed temporary contractor teams
 Investigated and developed new client relationships and at delivery point
 Left to work in freelance capacity for this and other agencies (retained by Octopus as Freelance Senior Producer to front GAM client)


Nov. 2000 - March 2002: Media Control (Europe) Limited, Avesco plc – London - MD (and founder)

Created, and managed, a team of 28 staff, with £2.5million rental inventory from a start-up to major industry competitor. Established the ‘MCL’ brand, and instigated it across the Gearhouse Group, in the UK (which he was active in the re-branding of, during 2001)
 Created and developed new business channels and corporate clients for the Avesco Group
 Won major call-off contracts with corporate clients in the first 12 months – including Barclays, PWC, and Consignia (Post Office)
 MCL brand in London merged with CT. Returned to live event production (CT is equipment rental only)


Sept. 1998 – Nov. 2000: bcltd.uk.com Limited (now Angryfish) – Brighton – Operations Director

Established a new agency creating/delivering b2b communication – utilising both digital and traditional mediums
 Managed budgeting and administration of six staff
 Produced and directed events for a range of corporate clients
 The company merged live events with web technology. Projects included Dome launches, ITV Schedule Event, and Deutsche Bank UK/USA/Europe events
 Left to establish MCL: new brand/business for UK staging and production


March 1996 – Sept.1998: Freelance Production Manager for various UK & USA Agencies:

Caribiner, Spectrum, WCT, Pumphouse Productions, Catalysm, NMEC, LIVE, Party Planners West, Broadstreet


January 1995 - March 1996: Creative Technology Ltd (Avesco plc) – London - Operations Manager

Employed by Avesco to establish, from scratch, an Operations Department within CT – an established international market-leader in corporate communications delivery.
 Staff of 35 to manage
 Implementation of new IT and procedural systems
 Introduction of facility and resource management
 Resigned through ill health (later re-employed by Avesco Board to create MCL)


Before January 1995 Early career & experience: Travel overseas – working in the Middle East

 Delta Sound (Hire Manager)
 Unit One Production Services (Operations Manager)
 Paul Farrah Sound (Hire Director)
 Entec Sound & Light (Lad)


Education:

 1995-96 – Birkbeck University, London – (partial) – studying English
 1980-82 – Strode’s College, Egham, Surrey - 3 ‘A’ Levels – Economics, Politics & History
 1976-80 – St Paul’s, Addlestone, Surrey - 5 ‘O’ Levels – History, English, Maths, Geography & Physics