Meet Caroline Hobden, Accountex’s new Portfolio Director
Caroline Hobden was appointed as Portfolio Director for Accountex last month. She steps into the role with 20 years of experience managing international business-to-business events, delivering everything from industry dinners, seminars and conferences to vast trade shows spanning the globe.
Caroline has worked for and alongside a wide range of organisations, from start-up companies and SMEs through to global corporates. As Portfolio Director at Diversified Communications, Caroline until recently managed the teams responsible for delivering events in the ocean technology and geospatial sectors. She now heads up the Accountex Portfolio that includes two live events, a full programme of virtual content and Accounting Insight News.
We caught up with her to find out what she’s got planned for the shows...
What are you most looking forward to about working on Accountex?
The whole community has been so welcoming already, with reams of people reaching out to me to connect – I have already enjoyed countless virtual coffees! Getting to know so many people who make up this great profession will be an honour and is something I really look forward to.
What do you love most about your job?
I love getting under the skin of an industry. Working closely with clients, partners, influencers, leaders and publications to understand the direction they are headed in and working with them to facilitate a hard hitting event that provides excellent content, educational and networking opportunities. My job is to serve the accounting profession and in that vein my virtual door is always open to new ideas, suggestions and opportunities.
You’ve been working on Accountex for one month – what’s your impression of the show so far?
What a sensational brand Accountex is. Known across the globe as an unbiased platform, that successfully serves the accounting community with live in person events, a full virtual programme and Accounting Insight News, it really is an honour to take over the reigns on such a well established and successful portfolio.
Are there any focuses or developments that you have planned for the show?
The Accountex team have worked incredibly hard in the last 12 months, delivering an outstanding programme of virtual events, that filled the gap left by the lack of in-person events. And we're continuing work on our programme of live events too. Our next focus as the world opens up again is to create a safe environment for the accounting profession to meet in person with confidence. I can’t wait to open those show doors at Accountex Summit North in September in Manchester!
What’s a fun fact about you?
I have been surrounded by accountants for most of my life. My dad, brother and husband are all accountants so it felt like this role was meant to be!
