From Chef to MD | Lucy McNicoll of Exec Space
In this episode of Scale HER Up, I’m joined by Lucy McNicoll, Managing Director of Exec Space Limited, a venue-finding agency that helps organisations book meetings, events, group accommodation and hospitality across the UK and beyond. Lucy shares how the business takes the time, hassle and risk out of event booking for clients who need expert support but do not organise events every day.
We talk about what makes a successful event, from understanding the brief and the budget to negotiating the right venue terms, flow, food, AV and delegate experience. Lucy explains why venue finding is about much more than choosing a room, and how experience can save clients money, time and stress.
Lucy also shares her own career journey, from training as a chef in London to building a long career in hospitality sales, operations and commercial leadership before stepping into the Managing Director role at Exec Space. She is honest about imposter syndrome, learning to understand the financial side of a smaller business, and the importance of collaboration, self-awareness and having the right people around you.
This is a great conversation about hospitality, leadership, growth and what it really takes to build a business that solves problems brilliantly for clients.
In this episode, we cover:
- What Exec Space does and how venue-finding support works
- The hidden pitfalls clients often miss when booking meetings and events
- Why understanding the real objective of an event matters
- Trends in hospitality, including sustainability and neurodiversity
- Lucy’s path from chef to hospitality leader to Managing Director
- What she has learned about responsibility, finance and growth in a smaller business
- The value of collaboration, trust and support around a leader
- Advice for women considering bigger roles or more senior leadership
