Covid hit events firm bounces back with bumper year

An events company is looking forward to a bumper year after suffering heavy financial losses during the pandemic.

ACF Teambuilding and Events was on track for a record million-pound turnover in 2019 before the outbreak of Covid.

But the firm lost hundreds of thousands of pounds due to lockdown and cancelled events.

Mark Fanning, who has headed the business for 10 years, said: “It’s been a tough couple of years. I’ve seen competitors go under and had to continually adapt to survive.

“But I couldn’t imagine doing anything else and it’s great to be able to host events in person again. We have lots of bookings lined-up and are looking forward to a bumper year.”

The events industry, estimated at £70bn pre-pandemic, has taken a huge financial hit and around 126,000 job losses.

Fanning had to furlough his team and all bar one, who took voluntary redundancy, has returned to work for ACF.

The company also took the decision to pivot during the pandemic – holding up to 30 professionally-run virtual events each week during the lockdown periods – from game shows to live music quizzes.

ACF is based at Aldwick Estate, in Redhill, which was historically a pig farm.

Farmer and businessman Chris Watts set up a clay pigeon shooting business on site – holding its first event in 1984.

The company, previously known as ACF Hospitality, grew and began to host corporate days out.

But Watts died in a helicopter crash in 2011. His sister, Sandy, took over the running of the estate, which now has its own wine label and wedding venue.

Fanning, who had joined the ACF team in 2006, ran the events business. He said: “Chris was a great man to work with and I learned a lot from him, including spotting changing trends.

“The biggest lesson he instilled was to make every effort to put on a good show and so that people left an event happy.”

The company now hosts events off-site, at venues such as Folly Farm in Pensford, Somerset, De Vere Tortworth Court in Wotton-under-Edge and Celtic Manor Resort.

And it has events lined up throughout the year – catering for company festivals, family fun and team building days, focusing on emotional fitness.

Fanning said: “We help firms, families and friends get together and build relationships.
It’s a chance to try new things, socialise, enjoy nature and, of course, have fun.

“It’s about bringing people together and ensuring they leave with a smile on their face. Happier people tend to be more engaged and effective in their work.”