In the world of events, Holly Moore is almost as big a name as the stars she rubs shoulders with.
She鈥檚 the founder and CEO of Make Events, which she has grown into a multi-million-pound turnover business since launching it in 2012.
During the last 14 years she鈥檚 worked with the likes of Robert De Niro, McFly, Gary Barlow and her personal hero Kylie Minogue.
What makes her success all the more remarkable is she鈥檚 had to wrestle with crippling OCD, especially between 2005-2011.
At one point Moore even asked the Priory to be admitted.
Moore has battled back from the depths of despair to find professional success and personal happiness with her new husband Joel Bennett.
Explaining her battle with OCD to , she said: 鈥淎s with any mental illness there is a massive spectrum from A-Z in terms of what it is – but in the main obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an obsession with a thought.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an intrusive thought that鈥檚 in complete opposition with the person鈥檚 personality.
鈥淟et鈥檚 say a normal person, with a normally functioning brain, would have a split-second thought like 鈥榤y mum and dad have gone out in the car. What if they have a car accident and die?鈥
鈥淚t might be a thought that wouldn鈥檛 literally register but for someone with OCD it will then get stuck.鈥
Her condition deteriorated to the point on New Year鈥檚 Eve in 2010 when she found herself next to the radiator rocking.
鈥淭he terror that you feel with it,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 was literally in a cold sweat. I felt like I couldn鈥檛 go on anymore. I remember ringing my friend and saying 鈥業 don鈥檛 know what to do鈥.
鈥淟ater that day, New Year鈥檚 Day, I phoned the Priory and said 鈥業 think you need to admit me because I can鈥檛 carry on like this鈥.鈥
Other than a couple of small relapses, Moore鈥檚 OCD is in a much better place 鈥 although it hasn鈥檛 gone away completely.
鈥淚 still see my psychologist now because if I ever have any major events coming up or any decisions to make, that would be when OCD can find a window,鈥 she said.
鈥淚t will either look for when you鈥檙e really happy and try and ruin it or it will look for when you鈥檙e really stressed and that鈥檚 when it try and creep in because you鈥檙e not doing best practice.鈥
Fred Done
Moore launched Make Events in 2012 from her kitchen table after spending four years at AstraZeneca. One of her first clients was billionaire Fred Done, who entrusted her to organise his 70th birthday party, featuring Alfie Boe.
鈥淗e gave me a chance,鈥 she recalled. 鈥淚 literally remember it as clear as day. He said 鈥業鈥檓 going to give you a chance, don鈥檛 f*ck it up, keep it secret鈥.鈥

I should be so lucky: Holly Moore with her hero Kylie Minogue
Moore鈥檚 discretion is guaranteed although she did reveal legendary actor De Niro likes two Chamomile tea聽bags in each cup!
Make Events has also worked with some of the UK鈥檚 biggest companies, including Castore, Matillion, Co-op and Represent.
The company鈥檚 success is all the more remarkable because it鈥檚 been completely bootstrapped.
In April 2026 she married her long-term partner Joel Bennett after a fairytale romance when he came to work for Make Events.

Just married: Joel Bennett and Holly Moore
Bennett is a former part-time model and she recalled their first meeting.
鈥淭here was an instant connection,鈥 she admitted. 鈥淲e both didn鈥檛 think about it because of course I鈥檓 not going to get with somebody who works here.鈥
Last year the couple acquired London-based The PA Club 鈥 the pioneering network for senior PAs and EAs.
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The episode is sponsored by Financielle – The Home of Money for Women.


