Agency Updata: new MD at Sleek, DRPG expands offer, and more
Leadership shifts, strategic acquisitions, and innovative expansions mark March 2026’s agency news, as Sleek, DRPG, INVNT, Davis, Strata, TRO, and others grow, diversify, and strengthen creative and live event offerings worldwide.
Sleek Events appoints Josie Klafkowska as managing director
Sleek Events founder Jen Davidson has announced that Josie Klafkowska will become the company’s new managing director, marking a significant leadership transition for the agency.
In a LinkedIn post, Davidson described the move as a “real milestone” in Sleek’s journey, saying the decision was driven by a desire to position the business for long-term success amid ongoing change across the events sector.
Davidson, who remains the company’s owner, said stepping aside from the MD role would allow her to focus on shaping Sleek’s strategic direction, strengthening client partnerships and championing company culture.
Klafkowska brings commercial and operational experience to the role, alongside what Davidson described as “proven leadership”. The pair (pictured) have known each other since Davidson’s first freelance role, with Davidson highlighting Klafkowska’s “commercial strength and operational rigour” as key to leading Sleek’s next chapter.
Davidson said she is “incredibly proud” of Sleek’s growth to date and excited for its future under the new leadership structure.
Dan Orchard joins Universal Live as commercial director
Universal Live has appointed Dan Orchard as commercial director, as part of the company’s continued evolution and long-term growth strategy.
Orchard brings extensive experience from across the live events and technical production sector, having held senior roles at Anna Valley, Blue-I, Britannia Row Productions and Blue Elephant, where he most recently served as commercial director. His background spans operations, account management and strategic business development, giving him a comprehensive understanding of both project delivery and commercial performance.
The newly created board-level role reflects Universal Live’s ambition to strengthen its commercial direction while staying true to its people-first culture. CEO Kirsty Waine said the appointment was about more than experience, highlighting Orchard’s alignment with the company’s values and long-term vision.
Joining the senior leadership team (pictured), Orchard will help refine commercial and sales strategy, with COO Ben Phillips praising his blend of strategic clarity and partnership-driven thinking.
Davis Experience and Events acquires Whitelight Events
Irish agency Davis Experience and Events has acquired Whitelight Events the first ever deal of its kind for the company. The move is designed to expand services and support ambitious growth plans, with the combined business expecting to create up to 10 new roles within two years.
Davis delivers hundreds of internal events annually for global corporate clients, alongside major public experiences such as Culture Night and Ireland’s New Year’s Festivals. The 21-strong company reported turnover of €5m last year and operates across the UK, Europe and North America.
Founded in 2012 by Con O’Donoghue and Karen Devine, Whitelight Events is known for detailed planning and delivery for clients including the National Lottery and several government bodies.
Davis CEO Paul Davis said the acquisition would strengthen client offerings and accelerate national and international expansion. O’Donoghue added that joining the Davis group would support continued growth while maintaining service quality.
Whitelight will relocate to Davis’s Dublin headquarters, with integrated teams working across both portfolios.
INVNT hits 60 per cent YoY growth using AI-generated music and mixed reality
INVNT EMEA has reported strong growth across the region, driven by new client partnerships, team expansion and innovation-led work. A record-breaking January saw a string of "world-first" tech integrations, including AI-generated music factories and mixed reality training for Emirates. The global live brand storytelling agency says worldwide growth is running at +60 per cent year on year, with the EMEA business recording a record month for retained and new business in January.
To support demand, the agency has made several senior hires, including Kelly Jones as executive producer, Tanya Mills as associate producer and Caspar Mason as creative director, alongside promotions for Pip Fann to director of account services and Peter Clarke to VP of global business development. Managing director Claudia Stephenson said the growth reflects demand for “innovation and brave storytelling”.
New clients include Sierra Technologies, Amazon Business, Multiplier and WISE, joining brands such as ABB, Meta, Hitachi, Chivas Regal and PepsiCo. The agency has also expanded into emerging markets including São Paulo, Bangkok and India, signalling an innovation-first strategy for 2026.
Strata named as supplier on framework for delivery of major Government events
Strata, part of The Strata Group, has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) RM6364 Media and Creative Services framework, Lot 6 (Events). The appointment recognises Strata as a valued international delivery partner for UK Government departments and public sector organisations.
Being named on Lot 6 - Events means central Government bodies and wider public sector organisations can procure Strata for the delivery of major, complex and high-profile events. It reflects Strata’s proven ability to operate at international scale, combining specialist Group expertise with robust governance and operational control.
Cole Mulkerrins, CEO of Strata, said :“Being named on CCS’s RM6364 framework is a significant milestone for Strata. The framework creates a clear route to new opportunities across central Government and the wider public sector and we look forward to supporting programmes that truly matter”
Megan Mulholland leads Strata’s Government and public sector activity, working alongside senior leadership to drive growth, shape strategy and oversee delivery across a wide portfolio of public sector programmes.
She added: “This appointment is a testimony to the way we approach public sector delivery at Strata. What’s most exciting is the breadth of opportunities this creates and the chance to keep growing our capability, our network and our impact on an international scale.”
Pictured: Megan Mulholland and Cole Mulkerrins, CEO of Strata
DRPG expands film and content offering with acquisition of Liquona
Creative communications agency DRP Group has acquired boutique production company Liquona, strengthening its global film and animation capabilities while expanding its London and south-east presence through the newly opened Studio Dean Street in Soho.
Founded by Matt Day and Oliver Hall, Liquona is known for craft-led content spanning live action, animation, VR and 3D for clients including PepsiCo, DHL eCommerce and RIBA. The deal enables the company to retain its boutique approach while accessing DRP Group’s broader integrated services.
DRPG CEO Dale Parmenter said the acquisition brings strong synergies and trusted client relationships that enhance the group’s corporate film offering, particularly as it invests further in Studio Dean Street. Director of Film Scott Horsfield added that Liquona’s creativity and agility will support more ambitious projects at scale.
Liquona co-founder Matt Day said joining DRPG places the company “in the creative heart of London” while preserving its independence and client relationships.
Pictured from left to right: CEO of DRPG Dale Parmenter, co-founder of Liquona Oliver Hall, co-founder of Liquona Matt Day, and DRPG's head of film Scott Horsfield
TRO hires new head of client services
Experiential marketing agency TRO has appointed Balpreet Mangat as its new Head of Client Services, reinforcing the agency’s focus on long-term client partnerships ahead of significant growth in 2026.
Mangat brings extensive experience across start-ups, independent agencies, and global networks, having previously led Client Services at MKTG and most recently serving as Managing Partner at Dentsu Creative. There, she oversaw Brand Experience and Advocacy for major global clients and collaborated on integrated programmes designed to drive measurable business impact across multiple markets.
Her appointment comes as brands increasingly look to experiential marketing as a strategic, commercially accountable tool. Mangat said: “TRO’s belief in experience as a strategic discipline, combined with the scale and connectivity of Omnicom, creates real opportunities for deeper partnerships and more ambitious thinking. The agency is in an exciting place, and I’m looking forward to helping shape what comes next.”
In her new role, she will focus on retention, clarity, and creating conditions for ambitious work that delivers clear business value.
Pictured: Balpreet Mangat
Premier Events unveils integrated creative hub
Premier Events has relaunched Premier Studios, a dedicated creative and production hub that unites content strategy, design, and studio production under one integrated offering. The move combines the agency’s Content & Creative team with its expanding studio facilities, ensuring ideas are developed with live delivery in mind from the outset.
Ben McCarthy, founder, said: “Events are becoming more content-driven every year, but creative and production teams are often still working separately. Premier Studios brings those disciplines together so ideas are developed with delivery in mind from day one.”
Premier Studios offers content development, scriptwriting, presentation design, motion graphics, video production, branding, and purpose-built studio spaces, including podcast facilities. The hub supports everything from standalone studio sessions to fully integrated live and broadcast event campaigns, strengthening Premier’s in-house delivery model following a record year of £10 million revenue and 34 per cent growth.
Parallel Blue Global celebrates 35th anniversary
Parallel Blue Global is marking 35 years of delivering world-class corporate events worldwide. Operating in more than 30 countries and supported by a trusted global supplier network, the company has built its reputation on long-term client relationships, international expertise and a commitment to quality and innovation.
Parallel Blue was founded in 1991 by John Denton after he exited a business in electronic manufacturing and recognised a gap in the market for more creative and accessible client hospitality. Frustrated by limited and uninspiring options, he set out to build an events company focused on helping clients communicate and achieve their objectives, a philosophy reflected in the name Parallel Blue. From modest beginnings delivering sailing events, roadshows and incentive travel, the company has grown into the global events agency it is today.
Paul Martin, MD of Parallel Blue Global, said:
“Celebrating 35 years is a proud moment for the business. It’s a chance to thank our incredible team, our global partners, and our clients, both long-standing and new who have trusted us to deliver for them around the world. Our passion for events remains undimmed and I am really looking forward to leading the team as we write our next chapter”
