TOUCH Associates Ltd, the new venture for Patrick Collins, NickBender, Colette Murphy and Mike Ford. TOUCH, based in Leatherhead, Surrey, is a boutique,high touch, high service agency, focusing on delivering event communications and eventmanagement services for it's clients.All four Directors are renowned in the industry as MICE experts, with proven track records,individually working in the industry for well over twenty years!• Mike Ford, ex-Managing Director, UniversalProcon• Colette Murphy, ex-Operations Director, UniversalProcon• Nick Bender, ex-Managing Director, Grass Roots EventCom Group• Patrick Collins, ex-Owner and Chairman of Universal CITThey have all enjoyed big careers with big organisations and now have joined together to createthis exciting new venture. All four will be heavily involved on a day to day basis, each beingresponsible for a portfolio of clients.The agency will target a range of industry sectors, providing:• Venue Sourcing• Event Management• Event Communications• Creative Design• Event Production• Strategic Meetings Consultancy

As well as a main Board Director I also wore two other hats;Globally responsible for the Communications and Events businesses.P&L responsibility as Managing Director of Grass Roots EventCom Ltd.

Established in 1980 to help clients influence the attitudes and behaviours of their people at the grass roots of the organisation. The group now employs over 1,000 people around the world with revenues in excess of 300 million Euros. Business services are based around measurement, learning, communication, rewards and events. Responsibilities include:Group Board DirectorP+L responsible for Events and Communications businesses in UK, New York, Singapore and ZurichCirca 320 staffStrategy and business planningGlobal product ownership for Communications and EventsExecutive sponsor for six key clientsKey achievements:Turned around Maritz business post acquisitionYear on year profitStrong Balance SheetManaged three more acquisitionsLed single largest client win over the last five yearsRe-branded and merged five businesses into one organisation under one BrandNominated by 'the industry' as Number One Influencer in Top 50 'movers and shakers 2010.Grass Roots acquired Maritz Europa, March 2005, I had left Maritz to join Grass Roots four months prior to the acquisition, I was a key player in the acquisition process.

'Maritz provide end-to-end solutions whether working separately or together. Through research and collective expertise, we help our clients understand the choices and motivations of people - whether customers, partners, or employees. We enable people to do things differently, by developing their strengths, knowledge and confidence. And we motivate them to care, by using incentives that connect your goals to theirs.'www.maritz.comResponsibilities include:P+L responsible for CVL and then Maritz Travel LtdIntegration of CVL within Maritz UKMaintenance of the client base post acquisitionMaintenance of the key staff post acquisitionSetting up of Maritz Travel Ltd£46m turnover, £1m PBTMember of the Maritz UK Group Management CommitteeKey achievements:Managed my earn out over initial three yearsSuccessfully transferred the CVL business, clients and staff to Maritz and then relocation Bath to MarlowSuccessfully grew the Events business within Maritz as MD Maritz Travel and became number one agency in terms of Turnover and profitabilityWon Platinum Award from industry Toyota EMEA Retailer EventMy partner and I sold CVL to Maritz Europa Ltd, he retired with ill health and I remained with the business with three year incentive.

A communications and event business focused entirely on the Pharmaceutical sector, based in Bath, Wiltshire.Responsibilities include:Day to day running of the businessAll sales development and retention activityJoint P+LKey achievements:Growing the business over a three year period to £18m turnover Each year in profitNo debtSelling the business at the right time

I came back to the UK and joined the senior management team for the Travel Management Division as GM London and the SouthResponsibilities include:P+L responsible400 staff6 main branches and 12 client implant offices80% of Thomas Cook corporate clients came under my responsibilityKey achievements:Successful retention of all clientsMajor consolidation of 5 London branches into one centre of excellenceLed the negotiation team on biggest client win Goldman SachsRetained and managed UK House of Commons businessIn November 1990 returned back to the UK having obtained Australian passports and citizenship for all the family.

When I was given the opportunity to be seconded to the Australian subsidiary for a two year period I joined a very small team, 5 retail travel branches and very small wholesale travel business. I resigned from the UK Company and joined the local Thomas Cook business and stayed for 10 years.Responsibilities include:Business Development Manager NSW, QLD

Key achievements:Started the business travel division and grew to be top three provider in three yearsBuilt a retail network of 36 branches in all major cities and shopping centres in AustraliaSet up preferred supplier programmeClosed the Wholesale DivisionOpened Australia's first Bureau de Change (Bondi Beach)Grew a stand alone retail foreign exchange network of 12 locations