About Us
The SMi Team
Sophie Orman: Founder & Chairman
Sophie founded the SMi brand back in 1993, over a lunch in a cafe in Blackfriars.
Despite being in a recession, Sophie’s thoughts soon turned from ordering a baked
potato, beans and cheese to a discussion about starting her own business. And it
was then that SMi was born......
Confident there was a gap in the market for producing customised events with a higher
calibre of both speakers and content, she set about providing events that were tailored
to the delegate rather than the company. Sophie soon found she had stumbled upon
a real demand for ‘quality and service‘ and has continued to promote this mantra
ever since.
Sophie lives in Surrey with her family and her iPad.
Sophie’s Expertise at SMi: Bringing ideas to life
Sophie’s Expertise outside SMi: Shopping!
Sophie’s favourite Expert: Richard Branson, love his ability
to develop the Virgin brand in new markets
Dale Butler: Managing Director
Dale joined SMi in 1999 as a Sales & Marketing Consultant. After three months
he was hooked and decided to close his own business to join the SMi team.
Convinced there were serious opportunities to enhance the company's fortunes Dale
got stuck in to every aspect of the business and was subsequently offered the Managing
Director position in 2005, which he grabbed with both hands. The business has flourished
under his guidance, setting new records every year.
He is now a joint partner of an extremely successful international events business
and has one of the most passionate management teams anyone could wish for. Dale
leads by example and has an open door policy for all staff.
Dale lives, works and plays in London.
Dale's Expertise at SMi: Turning dreams into reality
Dale's Expertise Outside SMi: Luxury holidays
Dale's Favourite Expert: Captain Kirk
Alia Malick: Director
Alia began her events career as a producer in the transport sector before moving
on to making a name for herself in public sector conferences and expos, where she
developed one of the largest public sector expos in the business.
Having produced in excess of 100 conferences, she now runs SMi’s production and
sponsorship teams and heads up SMi’s Pharmaceutical and Finance sectors.
Applying her knowledge and passion, Alia has achieved a number of records in her
four years with the company, including being the top salesperson four years in a
row. She has also transformed the Pharma team into one of the best in the industry.
Alia is a perfectionist who never gives up on a business opportunity.
Alia is a true Londoner.
Alia’s Expertise at SMi: Energy and Enthusiasm – being in
the Champions League of Conferences
Alia’s Expertise outside SMi: Football
Alia’s favourite Expert: Kenny Dalglish
Sadia Malick: Director
Having spent 25 years selling to an international audience, it is safe to say that
the sales environment is Sadia’s passion. She has also displayed an expertise at
passing her successful techniques and knowledge onto others. Global businesses in
destinations as diverse as London, Paris, Dubai, Singapore and Rio De Janeiro have
all succumbed to her abilities and charm.
Her career change came by chance after a dinner on a hot and sunny evening in Central
London when SMi’s MD invited her to run SMi’s overseas business. After careful consideration
she joined SMi at the end of 2011 and quickly established herself as a major player
in the Defence & Security sector.
In only her fourth month in the business, she set a new monthly sales record for
the sponsorship team at SMi.
Sadia lives in Crouch End and can usually be found chilling in one of the many coffee
bars in the area.
Sadia’s Expertise at SMi: Sterling, Euros, Dollars and all
other currencies!
Sadia’s Expertise outside SMi: Keeping fit!
Sadia’s favourite Expert: Sebastian Coe – his continued passion
and commitment to sport
Ann Kiely: Finance Director FCCA, MBA
Ann joined SMi in 2001. Her initial responsibility was to ensure all financial controls
were in place. With over 22 years experience working across the SME environment
- including the events industry - Ann has worked on several Ad.Hoc Projects in the
company ranging from the office move, to sourcing venues and system implementation.
Ann spreads her time between London, the Kent coast and the Irish Countryside.
Ann’s Expertise at SMi: Project Management...Excel is my second
brain
Ann’s Expertise Outside SMi: Walking...exploring National
Trust walks... next step Everest!
Ann’s Favourite Expert: Bill Gates “Know your numbers' is
a fundamental precept of business”