As a journalist both in The Netherlands and the UK,
Tine van Houts has had a glittering career.
In Holland, she was the face of Britain as London correspondent for the Dutch Television News, NOS. She is a regular guest on BBC Radio and TV programmes such as the BBC World discussion programme Dateline London. Tine worked as a foreign correspondent in London for Dutch national newspapers. She won the coveted Professor Herman Wekker Prize, awarded for outstanding reporting on the Anglo-Saxon world.
While President of the Foreign Press Association in London, Tine organised press conferences and social events for over 750 foreign journalists. As one of the organisers of the NCL (Netherlands City Lunches), she advises on lectures by well-known Dutch politicians and bankers in the City of London.
Tine is a very experienced media trainer in both English, French and Dutch. She also chairs and facilitates conferences.
Educated at Oxford University and the London Business School, Laura Dugdale co-founded High Spirits after 15 years as an ITN television journalist and then running a stately home events business. Her organisational skills, developed as European Field Producer for ITN’s flagship news programme and at Noseley Hall, guarantee that High Spirits events are devised and managed by a very skilled and experienced pair of hands.
During her career, she has organised hundreds of events for corporate, charitable and private clients. Guests have included members of the British and foreign royal families, politicians, business leaders, and many well-known people.
Laura specialises in the detailed organization and creation of spectacular events from the prestigious Foreign Press Association Media Awards to colourful and original celebrations for private clients in unusual European venues. She also works as a consultant to owners of historic houses and specialist venues, who would like to develop their events businesses.
After many years in Events Organisation, Promotion and Communication and with more than 25 years in Italian journalism, at Italian state broadcaster RAI and national newspaper La Repubblica, Nicoletta del Pesco is uniquely placed to lead High Spirits Italian operation.
Graduating Summa cum Laude in Economics from Rome University, Nicoletta has excellent organisational, diplomatic and decision-making skills. She is used to working under high pressure, co-ordinating complex projects and meeting deadlines.
Nicoletta speaks Italian, French and English.
Ken Rea is one of Europe's top presentation skills trainers. He has made a striking difference to more than 2,000 people in business and industry, from middle management to CEOs.
Starting out in advertising, he later turned to theatre, as an actor, director and teacher. Today he runs his own company, Koru Theatre and teaches at the renowned Guildhall School of Music & Drama, where he has trained some of Britain's leading actors and film stars, including Ewan McGregor, Joseph Fiennes, Orlando Bloom and Daniel Craig.
Ken has also chaired numerous European conferences. As a public speaker, he has given many large-scale presentations to the worlds of business and the arts, sometimes with audiences of over a thousand.
David Butter is a very experienced international facilitator and trainer. He moderates conferences, facilitates workshops and delivers keynote speeches. David is a Certified Professional Facilitator, with wide experience of creating energy, ideas and commitment for groups, large and small, all over the world.
David's background is in advertising. He has worked with some of the world's most recognized brands. Previously he was Global Marketing Director of Young and Rubicam and EVP of Wunderman. David works in four languages: English, French, German, and Spanish.