Mike Anderson has had a long and impactful career at Hale Events Limited. He joined the company in 1993 and has been instrumental in its growth and success. Over the years, he has gained extensive experience in launching, organising, and managing exhibitions. In August 2013, Mike was appointed Managing Director, a role in which he has continued to drive the company’s development and expansion. He focuses on building strong strategic market relationships and partnerships, particularly in the South West of England. His leadership has been pivotal in organising the key trade shows The Giving & Living Trade Show, The Source Trade Show, and Expowest Cornwall.
Mike’s career is marked by his commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the industries served by Hale Events, ensuring that their trade shows remain relevant and valuable to exhibitors and attendees alike. Working alongside Mike on a daily basis has been really fun, so sitting down for an interview with him was an amazing chance to dive deeper into his fascinating interests beyond the office and I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with him.
What does your Monday morning routine look like?
My Monday mornings are boringly similar every week! I start my morning with coffee and breakfast and usually catch up on the football results from the weekend on my iPad. I tend to just watch the highlights and see what’s going on across the Premier League.
If you could time travel and have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
There are so many different people that I’ve read about. It’s a tricky question! It’s going to be related to food – I’d love to sit down with Anthony Bourdain. He’s not that historical, but he’s somebody who’s journey through food and drink I’ve followed through his travel programs. They’re fascinating and he struck me as somebody who would be excellent company. As a chef he brought a nice bit of cynicism, reality and humour. What made it even more impactful was the fact that underneath it all he was a very depressed man.
What’s your all-time favourite movie, and why?
Oh, I go for a mixture of really good and really cheesy! I have to say that I think it would be a film that makes the family laugh and I’m going to go proper cheese and say ‘The Hangover’. Real belly laughs.
If you could visit any place in the world right now, where would you go?
Patagonia. It’s just somewhere that absolutely intrigues me. Its interested me since reading about Robert Fitzroy and The Beagle’s expedition in the 1800’s. It’s looks so unspoiled, remote, and wild. I’m sure it’s very cold and very barren, but nevertheless, on my bucket list.
What is your most memorable foody childhood memory?
This is a funny one that sticks in my head… My mom was a home economics teacher and both her and my dad worked full time, so often it would be my job to get the tea ready when I got home from school, and I remember making spaghetti Bolognese one evening. I added an extra few turns of black pepper and my mom enquired: “What have you done to this that’s different from the recipe?” It just struck me that you can make a real difference with very little.
Name one thing on your bucket list that you still need to do.
It’s food related! I want to go to Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Even though it’s crazily expensive I love the theatre, detail, precision and skill involved. It’s an experience rather than a meal. I like Raymond Blanc. He comes across as someone whose work as a chef comes from the heart and he seems to radiate that in his presence and everything that he does. It’s not experimental. It’s more about capturing the wonderful beauty of food and drink in a very precise and skilful way.
What job is the favourite you’ve ever had and what made it so special?
That’s a tricky one for me. Having been here at Hale Events now for more than 30 years, this is my favourite job, and I think what has made is so special for me is the fact that I’ve been able to change my role here over time. I first started selling stands and now I run the business. It’s never boring. It’s allowed me to progress as an individual both personally and professionally. I feel very lucky to have such a professional and dedicated team of individuals who work very well together.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
This one just popped straight into my head! I remember in the early days of selling stands, I was walking around an event with a business consultant. I can’t remember his name, but he gave me a piece of advice that went along the lines of: “If you were to serve up a three-course dinner, you wouldn’t put it all one plate; it really wouldn’t be very enjoyable. So, treat your business and your proposals and your presentations in the same fashion and break it up into manageable, bite-sized pieces.” I always like to explain a lot of information to people and it can be overwhelming sometimes.
What hobbies or interests do you have that would surprise us?
I’ve been keeping pigs with a few family friends for the last 10 years or so. We are hobby farmers! We get weaners in the early spring, fatten them up for the autumn and fill our freezers. It serves quite a few purposes for me as a person. I love the fact that I know these animals have had a good and happy life, even though it’s short. They get to root and live outdoors and exhibit their natural behaviour. The quality of the meat reflects that. Because they must be fed and watered, it’s also something that gets me out in all weathers, which I think is good for you. We have a few families sharing the workload so it’s not an everyday thing.
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Probably a bungee jump. I was best man for my brother at his wedding in the south of France and, as a very generous thank you, he bought me a bungee jump. We went into one of the Welsh valleys and jumped from a crane. A friend and I did it and it wasn’t as scary as I imagined, although I probably wouldn’t have booked to do it myself!
What is your go to pleasure food or snack?
Nuts! Whether its dry roasted peanuts or mixed nuts, they are my snack of choice. Love the Mr. Filbert’s ranges in particular.
What are you currently listening to?
I listen to music, podcasts and audiobooks. I’ve just completed the book ‘Sapiens’, which was a 16 hour listen. It’s a fascinating perspective on the development of the human and Homo Sapiens over the last 10’s of thousands of years. Music wise; very broad from 90’s garage and house to punk and rock. I’m listening to Fontaines DC, Wunderhorse, and a broad mix of other music. Ska is my go-to genre!
What is your favourite food/drink product on the market right now and why?
There’s so much wonderful choice! I would have to go for a condiment I think, because of its flexibility and ability to add it to everything. I love a good chilli sauce like a Smoky Chipotle sauce from the South Devon Chilli Farm or the Dry Chilli Salsa from The Happy Mexican.
What would you do if you weren’t in the Food, Drink & Hospitality industry
It’s still within the food sector but completely different to what I do now… I think I would have a go at developing a food product. I enjoy cooking. It’s my go-to for relaxation and recently I’ve been working on my own Asian coleslaw recipe with a mixture of Vietnamese and other Asian flavours. Hot, sweet, salty, sour and delicious!
What inspires you?
On a work level within the company, I’d say succeeding at delivering events that aren’t just financially successful – that of course is a given – but events that meet the needs of all our customers, both buyers and exhibitors. Delivering them well and professionally and being able to answer all the questions that people bring. It’s really inspirational coming away from a successfully delivered show, although that might fall more in the ‘job satisfaction’ category! What gives me inspiration? Good people in the industry. Other passionate business leaders. People we come across at our shows that can inspire you within minutes with their enthusiasm and ability to communicate their product, their business, their ethos, but also connect in real ways to other people. It’s that knowledge and skill that people have developed within their own business and the never-ending ability to remain enthusiastic that I find inspiring.
Connect with him on LinkedIn, or call him at 01934733433.
