Managing Director

Entrepreneurial by nature, you will often hear Greg sounding out a business idea, or asking if something could be done 'slightly differently’ Greg is absolutely obsessed with driving value to clients and understanding their objectives. He enjoys the challenge of working on solutions to exceed client expectations and introducing industry leaders to one another within the industry.

Before joining the Travel Weekly Group, Greg was the founder and individual responsible for building the Thump Clothing brand and UnEarth Travel app. Previously, Greg worked with Reed Exhibitions, where he discovered his love for travel and events, working on a selection of the industry's leading exhibitions, including World Travel Market London, WTM Africa, WTM Latin America, and Arabian Travel Market. His passion for innovation and connecting people has consistently driven his success across diverse sectors, from fashion and technology to travel exhibitions and media.

Operations Director

Having been with Connections since its inception in 2014, Evangeline has been part of the integral team that has developed The Connections Way, creating personal, networking environments to help our leaders do business. Now, Evangeline runs the delivery of all our Connections events. Working with event partners across the globe, Evangeline makes each event concept a reality. Managing all logistical operations and on-site execution, from agenda creation to experience providers to production, she is the driving force behind our seamless programmes.

Evangeline is also bilingual in English, Spanish, Catalan and Filipino. Her decade-long journey with Connections has given her an understanding of what makes luxury networking events exceptional. She combines operational excellence with cultural sensitivity, ensuring every detail reflects the standards our community expects. Her multilingual abilities enable authentic connections with partners and attendees worldwide.

Head of Commercial and Tourism Promotion

Sam, an avid traveller with a desire for discovering new destinations and unique experiences, joined Connections Luxury in 2019. Starting as a Sales Manager, he played a key role in shaping the company into the thriving international community it is today, before advancing to Head of Commercial and Tourism Promotion.

With previous experience in sales at Innovation Enterprise, PR at Third City working across multi-industry campaigns, and business development at Positive Luxury, a transformative luxury industry company specialising in certification and consultancy for positive change, Sam brings a wealth of experience. His expertise has evolved from sales to partnerships, leading commercial strategy and tourism board collaborations.

His passion for uncovering hidden gems and showcasing destinations uniquely positions him to cater to tourism board needs and forge meaningful partnerships that drive the luxury travel industry forward.

Head of Buyer Relations

Saadia works on recruiting buyers for Connections and is committed to helping others build excellent business relationships. A strong believer in forging genuine connections with others, Saadia has a wide global network, which she has introduced to the Connections Way of doing business since joining the company in January 2020.

Prior to joining Connections, Saadia has worked and studied abroad in Berlin, Avignon, New York and Dubai as well as her home town of London. With a strong background in luxury lifestyle management and travel, she has worked with prestigious brands such as Quintessentially Dubai, as well as Ultra High Net Worth Individuals and GCC Royals.

Saadia speaks several languages and is enthusiastic about showcasing new destinations and experiences. Her international experience enables her to understand diverse client needs and facilitate partnerships across global markets.

Head of Sales

Originally from Puglia, Italy, Angelo has been living in Central London for about 15 years before joining Connections in 2021 as Sales Manager. He started his career in the hospitality industry in 2005, then eventually joined travel events company, This Is Beyond, in 2018. After many roles as a Reservations Agent and Front Desk Agent at Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Ireland and Italy, Angelo started his career with Morgans Hotel Group in London initially as Sales Coordinator, then later becoming Regional Account Director. He also has experience in the travel industry with Miki Travel and Oceandusk Group.

Angelo's adventurous nature is as fitting as his favourite quote: "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page," by Saint Augustine. His extensive passion for travel enables him to connect authentically with clients and partners, bringing genuine enthusiasm and cultural insight to every business relationship he builds.

Head of Marketing

Since joining Connections Luxury, Sarah has made it her mission to bring the brand vision to life and ensure our Community has a premium experience both in-person and online. Sarah brings a wealth of marketing prowess, having spent a decade working on campaigns for large-scale trade events at organisers such as Reed Exhibitions and Informa. Throughout this time, she pushed for new ways to connect attendees, seeing piles of leads that are never followed up on because conversations are not remembered. This drew her to the Connections Way of doing business, with its unique human-to-human experience, and she is thrilled to drive this forward.

Never one to sit still, Sarah will come back from travels exhausted, having explored every corner of a destination to soak it all in. When at home, you'll find her hiking and running around the UK countryside or gallery-hopping in London. Her favourite place is under a decorated sky, whether aurora, sunrise or moonlit masterpiece.

Head of Strategic Partnerships

With over 30 years of experience in luxury hospitality and travel, Laura has led global initiatives for top-tier brands, including nearly a decade as Marketing Director at Park Hyatt. She later founded a boutique consultancy supporting high-end hotels and destinations worldwide.

Now based in the UK, she leads strategic supplier partnerships at Connections Luxury across core markets including the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Japan, LATAM and the US. Fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French, Laura is known for building authentic, long-term business relationships with creativity and vision.

She has lived and worked in New York, Barcelona, Buenos Aires and London. Laura is also a founding volunteer of Asociación Generar Salud, a non-profit offering biopsychosocial support through neuroscience-based methods.

Drawing from leadership and international living, she brings a unique perspective.

Head of Events

Fuelled by an insatiable thirst for adventure, Winnie relocated to the UK from San Francisco to join the Connections team.

An accomplished and seasoned professional in luxury hotels and destination marketing, Winnie is an expert in curating unforgettable experiences and nurturing meaningful relationships. She is on a mission to discover secret destinations, uncover hidden gems in different cities, forge new connections, and enrich her understanding of diverse cultures along the way. As Head of Events, Winnie leads the team to craft extraordinary moments that not only dazzle but also foster powerful connections among luxury leaders worldwide. She is committed to making every event a remarkable journey and a gateway to lifelong friendships with lasting memories.

Her San Francisco background brings a fresh perspective to the UK luxury travel scene, ensuring innovative approaches to relationship-building.

Head of International Projects

A dynamic and results-driven event management professional, Oliver has over 20 years of experience in the live events industry. Having fulfilled senior roles in both sales and operations across travel & hospitality, hair & beauty, sports, and music, he has managed a global portfolio of both intimate and large-scale events, successfully delivering conferences, awards, exhibitions and bespoke gala events across international markets.

As Jacobs Media expands globally, Oliver plays a crucial role in leading the execution of joint ventures and 3rd party international projects, partnering with globally recognised brands including Connections Luxury, Aspire, and Connecting Travel. Adept at relationship building and well-connected, his extensive network and deep knowledge of diverse cultures enable him to bring clients' visions to life, no matter the location or request.

Outside work, Oliver is an FA-qualified football coach and keen sportsman with particular passions for football, cycling and climbing.

Senior Buyer Manager

Richard Newlove serves as Senior Buyer Manager at Connections Luxury, specialising in recruiting international buyers for bespoke and community events. With his extensive network and relationship-building expertise, Richard connects luxury travel agencies with exclusive luxury products, ensuring exceptional buyer engagement.

Drawing from 15+ years of leadership experience across travel industries, he brings proven skills in strategic partnerships and business development. His career spans senior positions including Head of Product at Escapes Travel, Head of Sales at Diversity Travel, and Director of Sales at True Partnerships.

Richard's expertise in product strategy, team management, and account management has delivered results in business transformation and client retention. Known for his analytical approach and communication skills, he excels at identifying market opportunities and building professional relationships. His track record in negotiation and strategic planning makes him instrumental in the team.

Marketing Manager

Alissia joined Connections Luxury in 2021. Since her arrival, she has played a pivotal role in propelling the brand to new heights. Her influence extends across both flagship and bespoke events for Tourism Boards, where she has spearheaded several marketing initiatives. Additionally, Alissia co-produced the 4th and 5th editions of the Connections Luxury Magazine.

Prior to this, Alissia worked for parent company Jacobs Media Group for three years within the international business development team. Her responsibilities included organising and marketing summits, private dinners, and pop-up events for brands such as Travolution, Travel Weekly, and The Resilience Council, spanning global destinations including the UK, Amsterdam, the UAE, Singapore, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

Alissia also played a key support role for the European operation of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), headquartered in Bangkok. Her efforts helped represent, promote, and foster relations for the PATA brand across diverse international markets.

Event Manager

Jesica is a master of meticulous detail. As event manager, she oversees and optimises operational strategies to consistently deliver the best for the members of Connections.

Before joining the operations team at Connections Luxury in 2022, Jesica worked as a Senior Marketing Executive at Worldwide Business Research and an operations executive for Top Drawer and Home & Gift at Clarion Events.

Originally from Argentina, she moved to London in 2016 and is passionate about travel and discovering new destinations.

Having navigated her own international relocation journey, Jesica understands the importance of authentic connections and cultural sensitivity in luxury travel. Her bilingual capabilities and South American heritage bring valuable diversity to our global team, enabling her to connect meaningfully with our international community of luxury travel leaders.

Buyer Manager

A keen traveller, Despina has had adventures across the world, with her favourite place being the Danum Valley in Borneo where she shared moments with wild orangutans – her beloved companions of the jungle.

Before returning to her hometown of London, she embraced the vibrant culture of Córdoba in Southern Spain. In both her personal and professional life, Despina is dedicated to fostering inclusivity and equity to create a positive impact on the world. With a talent for cultivating meaningful relationships with high-value individuals, she brings a wealth of expertise from the non-profit sector to Connections Luxury.

As a travel enthusiast and events professional, she is eager to showcase the Connections Way of doing business, so you can uncover incredible opportunities and share once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Join her in exploring new horizons and creating lasting memories.

Buyer Manager

Sergio works as a Buyer Manager at Connections Luxury, where he recruits and engages with global luxury buyers who align with the Connections Way. He has a deep passion for the events and luxury travel industry, managing diverse networking experiences that connect individuals from varied backgrounds worldwide.

Originally from Sicily, Italy, Sergio relocated to London in 2012 during the Olympic Games to enhance his English skills. This move marked the start of a challenging yet rewarding professional journey. He progressed from Kitchen Porter to Head Waiter in renowned 5-star establishments, including the prestigious Seabourn Cruise Line.

Before joining Connections Luxury, he was part of the Global Sales Team at Melia Hotels International. His hospitality background gives him unique insight into luxury service standards.

Another passion is cooking, originating from experiments with leftover ingredients, driven by the desire to minimise waste.

Senior Marketing Executive

Pamela has played a key role in supporting marketing campaigns for high-end clientele within our community. She supports the complete global event journey, delivering client experiences from conception to completion. Her expertise ensures seamless communication across operations, buyer relations, and sales teams, coordinating essential event messaging while driving strategic product promotion to exceed membership expectations and deliver value.

Throughout her career, Pamela has delivered strategies for luxury brands including Chivas Regal, Nicholas Simon Tailoring, G.H Bass & Co and Moss.

Born in Manila, Philippines, she is bilingual in Tagalog and English. Her passion for global travel deepened during university, leading her to live in Taiwan for six months during an exchange programme, bringing valuable cultural insight to international partnerships.

Driven by business psychology, her curiosity allows her to decode the behavioural insights behind what drives high-end clientele.

Sales Executive

Adam Maxwell is a highly driven individual with strong interests in luxury hospitality and sales. He started at Connections Luxury in November 2021 as Sales Coordinator, earning promotion to Sales Executive in 2023.

Before joining Connections Luxury, Adam worked at exclusive members' club The Ned for two years, developing his passion for luxury travel.

Outside work, Adam explores new places, tries different foods, and stays active through outdoor activities. His particular interest in hiking inspired him to create '@Hiked.Up', a community for outdoor enthusiasts. This platform has grown to nearly 10,000 followers in under a year and established partnerships with outdoor apparel brands, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and ability to build engaged communities within the adventure travel space.

Events Executive

Born in the UK and raised in Hong Kong, Haylie brings a unique design-led approach to event planning. With a background in textiles and hands-on work, she focuses on creating interactive experiences that connect communities and explore the relationship between people and places.

As an Events Executive, Haylie supports the entire event lifecycle - from material preparation and onsite management to post-event analysis. Her innovative nature drives her to constantly seek better solutions.

Previously at BCD Meetings and Events as a Venue Consultant, she sourced venues globally for events up to 3,000 delegates across Barcelona, Miami, Sydney, Thailand, and Vancouver. She's also coordinated major live music events at venues like Roundhouse and Boomtown, managing experiences for over 45,000 attendees.

Her artistic eye for detail and strong vision ensure every event becomes a memorable experience. Outside work, Haylie enjoys handmaking rugs, travelling, and reading.

Events Coordinator

Anthea has been captivated by the magic of events for as long as she can remember. Since joining in January 2024, she's worked across sales and operations, delivering Connections events successfully. Known for her adaptability and collaborative spirit, she handles project management, delegate management, and on-site support with precision.

With experience spanning film, music, sport, brand marketing, corporate, and cultural industries, she brings diverse energy to building meaningful moments that encourage human connection and create new communities. Now in tourism and luxury hospitality, she delights in seeing cultures connect.

Having lived in the Philippines, Australia, and now London, her journey has shaped her with natural worldliness and multicultural perspective that defines her approach.

Beyond work, you'll find her at the cinema, exploring green spaces, reading fantasy novels, or dancing.

International Events Executive

Lisa is an International Event Executive at Connections Luxury, specialising in high-level international events within travel and luxury sectors.

Based in London, she manages comprehensive event operations, including stakeholder relationships with governmental organisations, speakers, and sponsors, while coordinating logistics for over 300 guests.

Lisa brings over three years of progressive experience from Jacobs Media Group, advancing from Event Coordinator to International Event Executive.

Her expertise spans the complete event lifecycle, from initial planning and creative delivery to post-event analysis, including KPIs and ROI evaluation.

Her diverse background includes hospitality management at WatchHouse and fashion industry experience at Rag & Bone, providing a well-rounded foundation in luxury brand management and client relations.

International Marketing Executive

Lillie Miles serves as Marketing Executive at Connections Luxury following the strategic merger with Jacobs Media’s international team for over 3 years. Within her previous role, Lillie successfully managed marketing initiatives for prestigious events including LATA and IGLTA, developing expertise in international event marketing and communications.

Her comprehensive skill set spans event marketing and operations management making her instrumental in shaping marketing strategies for both bespoke and community events at Connections Luxury.

Prior to her marketing career, Lillie gained valuable experience as Operations Manager at Vintage Club and Senior Sales Advisor at River Island, where she honed her skills in team management, time management, and Adobe Illustrator. With nearly 8 years of professional experience across marketing, operations, and retail sectors, Lillie brings a versatile approach to her role.

Sales Coordinator

Fresh out of university, Katherine joined Connections Luxury in summer 2025 and is now part of the commercial team, supporting sales and building relationships across the luxury travel community.

With a passion for travel and cultural discovery, she knew Connections was the perfect place to combine her love of exploring the world with creating meaningful connections. Before joining, she spent a year at Cargills, where she helped deliver customer-focused events, supported marketing campaigns and brought data-led insights into decision making - experience that shaped her into a proactive and creative problem-solver. An avid traveller, thrill-seeker and self-confessed foodie, Katherine’s adventures are often inspired by local cuisines and adventure, with her favourite travel moment to date being the unforgettable Ha Giang Loop in northern Vietnam. She loves meeting people from all walks of life and brings her energy, curiosity and enthusiasm to every part of her role.