We’re England’s First Approved Provider of ATHE's Ofqual-Regulated Event Diplomas!
- The Event School London
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
England's First Ofqual-Regulated Event Management Diplomas
Launch at the Heart of London's Event District
The Event School London approved as England's first provider of Awards for Training & Higher Education (ATHE) Level 4-7 Ofqual-regulated Events Management Diplomas - a structured, industry-led pathway designed to open doors into the events industry and support long-term career progression.
The events industry has a talent problem. A 2025 ESSA survey found that 73% of UK events businesses struggled to recruit in the past year, with 88% citing a shortage of suitable candidates. Until now there has been no clear, regulated pathway to bring the next generation through. With this announcement, that changes.
The Event School London - celebrating its 21st year as the UK's most dynamic specialist event educator - has been approved to deliver ATHE Level 4 to Level 7 Ofqual-regulated Events Management Diplomas, making it the first provider in England to offer this regulated qualification suite. The announcement was made at the School's 2026 Awards for Excellence, held 23 February at the Novotel London ExCeL.
The new diplomas provide a nationally recognised, educationally rigorous route into the profession - from Level 4 through to Level 7 (with Level 7 aligned with postgraduate master's level study). But what makes them genuinely different is how they are taught.
The School bases it's training at Novotel London ExCeL, next to one of the world's busiest live event venues and London’s new immersive entertainment district, Excel London and Immerse LDN - a centre hosting over 400 events a year and welcoming four million visitors from every corner of the globe.
Those events, plus events and iconic venues across London, are not a backdrop.
They are a teaching resource.
Students learn by doing: attending events in progress, undertaking live event planning, visiting sites, hearing directly from industry professionals, and developing expertise in the places where major events actually happen.
The educators delivering these programmes are not academics removed from the industry. They are practitioners who have worked at the highest levels - from Glastonbury, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics to VIP celebrity celebrations and global brand events - who are also exceptional teaching professionals. Theory does not stay on the page at The Event School London. It becomes practice.
"Our students graduate not just with a qualification, but with real experience of the events industry - and employers appreciate it. 93% of our graduates are working in events."
Maria O’Dea, Director, The Event School London
The new qualification suite has been shaped with active input into optional unit selection from the School's refreshed 2026 Industry Advisory Board - a group that spans the breadth of the modern events sector. Members include:
Mark Green, UK and European Business Development Manager at the QEII Centre
Liam Farrelly Swanston, Global Business Development Lead at Central Hall Westminster
Rita Conde Luis, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Events and REACH CEMEA Co-Chair at VISA
Sandra Maureder, CEO & Founder, Stressfree Weddings by SandraM and Industry Advisory Board Member
Georgia Wood, Senior Commercial Leader for Event Sales at Harrods.
The Board also includes senior figures from global logistics, independent event production, luxury weddings, and international event education at Florida International University. Their combined expertise has guided the selection of optional units, ensuring the curriculum reflects exactly what today's events industry needs from its next generation of talent.
A pilot cohort has already commenced, with five students becoming the first in England to undertake the ATHE Level 5 Diploma in Events Management programme. Applications are open for future intakes across the Level 4-6 Pathway (degree alternative) and Level 7 postgraduate level programme.
— ENDS —
Quotes from the Launch Event
“The School brings students to our venues for site tours, industry events and a glimpse behind the scenes of our unique venue. The Event School team has built a bond with us that is so positive, and the students who come are always genuinely appreciative.”
Sonia Smart, Business Development Manager, Ministry Venues, Industry Appreciation Award Winner and Industry Partner
“What excites me about the industry is that I find the younger generation very empowering - the way they think, the way they want to make changes, the way they evolve. They are the future of our industry.”
Medina Williamson, Head of Sales and Strategy, Lumiere London and Industry Advisory Board Member
“The elective choices I am most excited about are sales and marketing. It's a key area for our industry - sales and marketing set you up to generate the returns needed so that we can create amazing events.”
Liam Farrelly Swanston, Global Business Development Lead, Central Hall Westminster; Director, Westminster Venue Collection and Industry Advisory Board Member
“Developing industry talent is very important. The industry is continually growing, there are so many changes, it's moving at a very fast pace - we need new individuals who are taking on the roles that are required in events in this wonderful industry that we represent.”
Mark Green, UK and European Business Development Manager, QEII Centre and Industry Advisory Board Member
“My takeaway from the Industry Advisory Board was the importance of understanding the differences between B2B and B2C, and between private and public events. The Event School is on track, with input from all sectors, to guarantee a forward-thinking approach - and to ensure its graduates enter the world of events with a broad mindset, ready to lead event teams in the future.”
Sandra Maureder, CEO & Founder, Stressfree Weddings by SandraM and Industry Advisory Board Member
Notes
The Event School London: London’s leading specialist event management education provider offering training opportunities outside the traditional university or apprenticeship routes. Founded over 21 years ago. Based at Novotel London ExCeL, Royal Victoria Dock. 93% graduate employment in the event industry. www.eventschool.london
ATHE – Awards for Training and Higher Education: Global awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual since 2011. Over 240 centres across 40 countries. Qualifications from Level 2 to Level 7. www.athe.co.uk
Qualification levels: Level 6 aligns with bachelor's degree level. Level 7 aligns with postgraduate/master's level.
Media Contact
Maria O’Dea, Director, The Event School London
0203 239 0950 | 07305 309 559 | mariaodea@eventschool.london
