Re Legal Recuitment interview: Organising the Manchester Ball
19/12/2008
So what does it take to organise the most talked about event in the Manchester social calendar? Louisa Hill, Re Legal's private practice recruitment consultant, met Lindsay Woolrych and Awena Parry, the masterminds behind the MTSG Christmas Ball 2008.
There's a feeling of Christmas in the air, as I make my way with a hangover through the crowds of shoppers to meet Lindsay and Awena for a well needed coffee. How time has flown since I first took the girls for lunch in late August to discuss the Ball for the first time. Would they still both be buzzing with energy post-Ball, or just glad it's finally over? Had they had too much to drink and done anything they regret? They wouldn't have been alone! I think the official photographer could run a separate blackmailing business if he were unscrupulous enough.
When I first met Lindsay and Awena, I couldn't help but notice the difference in characters. Lindsay, I'm sure she won't mind me saying, was undoubtedly the more excitable of the two, I'm sure she's been dreaming of being Ball Rep since school. Awena is equally driven, but I'm guessing the more calming influence. I queried how compatible their working styles would be, but as time passed it was to become quite clear that their personalities combined made a dream Ball-organising team.
First job on the agenda when they were appointed to their posts as Ball Reps in August was to decide the venue. This involved digging out cocktail dresses and trying every hotel bar with a mile of Deansgate. It pays to take one's responsibilities seriously. The girls emerged from the process slightly the worse for wear but better informed about the Manchester hotel scene, a travelling business man did mistake them as professionals of another description because he'd seen them so often but was given short shrift and sent on his way! After further sober deliberations The Palace was quickly confirmed, having been such a successful venue in the past and arguably the only place big enough - and "open-minded" enough - to accommodate hundreds of merry lawyers.
Next on the agenda, entertainment. The girls looked far and wide, again taking their responsibilities seriously. They were seen at Panacea, Matt & Phreds in the Northern quarter, The Grammies and the Edinburgh Fringe, I think I even spotted them dancing in the background at the MTV Awards in Liverpool. After all this failed they ordered pizza and started looking at DVDs. When they thought all hope was gone they found ‘Lucas', a London-based band who promised to deliver their requirements; offering youth, energy and disco. Little did the band know that northern lawyers don't get out very often and would soon be dancing before the music even started.
Legal recruitment consultant and the Manchester Ball
Then with backing tied up with little difficulty from the very kind sponsors - Re Legal (the writer takes full credit for this!), BPP and RBS all chipped in with healthy contributions - so it was on to the menu tasting. Now as you know these girls don't need asking twice to start indulging themselves. When I asked if this was the best part of the organisation, the girls both agreed without hesitation, laughing secretly about a fun evening spent in The Palace sampling the hotel's finest selection of food...after all there's so much to consider in addition; an aperitif, white wine with the starter, red wine with the main course, and a cheeky drambuie to wash it all down.
By October everything seemed to be going uncomfortably smoothly, surely something was going to go wrong? Apart from the extra time Awena and Lindsay were spending at AA meetings as a result of their "research" it was all going to plan; contract agreed, sponsors on hand, menu decided, even the flyer and tickets were in preparation. So back to reality and Lindsay and Awena now had time to go back to their day jobs as trainee lawyers, at George Davies and Davis Blank Furniss respectively. Since taking up their positions on the MTSG Committee, both quickly realised they had to treat their Committee responsibilities as a second priority to work, managing their Ball duties outside of normal working hours. But with responsibilities in busy Corporate and Litigation teams, they would soon learn that this would be harder than expected.
As the nights crept in and snow started falling in one of the coldest Novembers on record, Lindsay and Awena's commitment would be put to the test. As booking forms began flooding in, leading up to the night Lindsay told me how on occasions her day was as long as 5am ‘til 12pm, spending early mornings and late nights managing spreadsheets and organising the growing number of guests around a busy day in the office. The test of Awena's patience came on the day of the Ball, with ‘Lucas' stuck on the M6 and menus lost in transit. But as the clock struck 6.30pm on 4th December, all was well and the girls arrived to the VIP reception looking calm and collected as they sipped champagne with judges, charities, law school representatives and sponsors alike - between posing for photographs in Cheshire Life (see February's edition!).
As time ticked on, I have to say, the evening was undoubtedly a huge success. Great food and wine, good company, and a fantastic band to dance the night away. The girls both agreed, without hesitation, that seeing it all come together at The Palace on the 4th December was what made all the months of long days and sleepless nights worthwhile. Any lessons to be learnt I asked? Teamwork and communication are two of the most important skills to fine tune when organising such a big event, and plan as early as you can.
In answer to my question, the girls' energy and enthusiasm has not been lost, in fact Lindsay and Awena are already talking about the proposed Summer Ball in 2009! Steady on girls. When they are not organising Balls or busy trainee lawyers, Lindsay's favourite restaurant at the moment is the Gaucho Grill, while Awena can usually be spotted enjoying a Ning Thai or partying in the Northern Quarter, so more of the same. I can clearly see that Lindsay and Awena have not only thoroughly enjoyed their positions as Ball Reps so far, but have been come very good friends, and this - the girls agree - has been the most rewarding part of all.
