an ambitious bunch
We are an ambitious bunch on an exciting journey. The majority of our team have transitioned from working on live events into the agency - bringing a combined experience that is second to none.
To be 'Kru' you must be personable, passionate, positive and an incredible problem solver! Put a face to a name below or better still pop into Kru HQ next time you are in Southwark, London. Our door is always open!
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Tom Eatenton
Founder
Tom has worked in the brand experience and event industries for nearly 20 years and having developed considerable experience in staffing he set up Kru Live in 2005 to offer a staffing service of excellence to experiential, event and PR agencies as well as to the staff working for them. With an absolute focus on delivery and customer service, Tom is proud to be known for an agency and team that consistently deliver beyond expectations.
Did You Know? ... That at the age of 15 Tom created STORM PRODUCTIONS – an under 18’s party-production agency which at it’s peak had a following of over 3,000 regular paying customers.
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Sarah-Jane Benham
CEO
Following a number of years in the event field as an ambassador, she joined the agency’s casting team and within 4 years climbed the ranks to Managing Director. Under SJ’s lead, the agency developed an international network called TSEC (The Staffing and Entertainment Collective) that implements award winning experiential event staffing solutions for an enviable line up of brands including Fortnite, VISA, Ford, Google and Treatwell to name a few. She was voted in the top 10 of the Event 100 most influential and is a regular on event and experiential award judging panels.
She became CEO in 2023. Sarah-Jane Benham said "I am incredibly honored and excited to take on the role of CEO at this pivotal moment for our company. I am committed to building on our success to drive growth and expansion into new markets. With our focus on innovation and exceptional service, I am confident that we will continue to deliver outstanding results for our clients and make a positive impact on the industry as a whole."
Did You Know? ... That SJ is a published poet!
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Sarah Porter
Client Relationship Director
Joining the team as a Staffing Executive back in 2014, Sarah has worked across a huge range of activations from gaming to beauty. She now represents Kru as Client Relationship Director overseeing the smooth delivery of our projects and keeping our clients happy!
Did You Know? ... Sarah can do a crab on the dancefloor - you'll believe it when you see it!
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Melissa Foster
Head of Operations
I spent 6 years full time working events across the UK, Europe and South America as a Brand Ambassador, Performer, Team Leader and Event Manager where I have represented brands including Samsung, Cadbury's, PlayStation, BMW and Coca Cola, to name a few.
From working the field I then made a jump into the office, where my role as a Staffing and Entertainment Executive, Account Executive and Senior Account Manager expanded my knowledge and experience in project management, events, production, CRM, operations, logistics, brand development management and building client relationships.
I am passionate about discovering, nurturing and developing new brands and products.I believe that communication, creative initiative and a strong work ethic are the engines that power success.
Did You Know? ... Not a lot of people know that…Over the past 3 years Melissa has appeared on TV numerous times and played multiple TV characters including ‘ Kelly, the Student’ ‘Mandy-, The Receptionist’ ‘ Melissa , The Babysitter’ and a 16 year old Student ‘ Denise’ in the BBC Daytime Drama ‘Doctors’.
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Ali Afzal
Head of Staffing
Having started off on the field as a Brand Ambassador, I have been in the industry for a fruitful 12 years. I have been fortunate to work on an array of incredible activations, from experiential to talent, no two days are the same. What drives me every day is the aspiration to be industry-leading, constantly evolving to be a step ahead and one of my personal goals, increase the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community by championing change, and showing support for more representation within the events industry.
Did You Know? ... I’m one of eleven? I have one younger brother and nine strong sisters, making me the 10th Queen and yes, naturally, all my mornings start with hits from Queen B, doesn’t everybody’s?
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Patricia Murray
Senior Staffing Manager
Trish came to Kru Live as Senior Staffing Manager in 2021 with over six years of experiential agency and field experience under her belt. She also come with twenty years hard graft touring the world with many large-scale productions and had the chance to work with many talented entertainers. Being Irish she loves connecting with people and hearing all about their world. Trish loves a challenge. If she finds herself in a tough situation, she doesn't think ‘why me’ she thinks ‘try me!'
Did You Know? ... I toured with Michael Jackson I walked baby Prince Jackson up and down a boing 747 to get him to sleep I nearly knocked over the artist formerly Known as Prince while working at MTV Camden. I was the All-England Irish Dance Champion for four years in a row I got married in Vegas by Elvis.
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Audrey Simmons
Account Manager
Audrey is originally from Hong Kong and came to the UK to attend university. She graduated with a degree in Biology but decided to take a slightly different career path! Starting off with Kru as a Staffing Executive in 2021, she is now an Account Manager, primarily looking after one of our longest standing clients
Did You Know? ... Audrey is trilingual - she can speak English, Tagalog and Mandarin
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Emma Gamliel
Senior Account Manager
Emma has a passion for account management and loves nothing more than building long lasting relationships with her clients.
Emma joined Kru in 2021 having worked as a Senior Account Manager for the past 7 years in various staffing agencies. She brings her wealth of experience with a wide array of clients to Kru allowing her to keep a calm and positive attitude even during the craziest of activations!
Did You Know? ... Emma got her dog in a music video. Keep your eye out for the giant slobbery dog in Mcfly’s ‘Love is on the radio’ !
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Saskia Pinder-Young
Account Manager
Saskia joined us in 2017 as an intern and is now integral part of the Account Management team. Over the years Saskia has delivered a huge range of campaigns including the amazing Nivea Sun Safety tour this summer, spreading skin safety tips across the UK in collaboration with Cancer Research.
Did You Know? ... Saskia has an award winning Samoyed pooch, that has won the awards for smiliest Samoyed and most like a cloud!
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Samantha Moshine
Staffing & Social Media Executive
I’m Sam, the Staffing and Social media executive. I love being a part of Kru and everything it strives for. My favourite part is creating connections with such a versatile group of individuals.
Did You Know? ... I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie? I've completed a skydive, bungee jump, flying a glider plane and awaiting a zip line so it's safe to say I love adventure.
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Rhiannon Bates
Senior Staffing Executive
Rhiannon began working in the field with Kru Live in 2019, previously she has worked as an Event Manager for hospitality venues. She joined the agency team in 2021 as a Staffing Executive before being quickly promted to a Senior Staffing role.
Did You Know? ... Rhiannon's pride and joy is her bike, which she cycles into the office when the team comes together each week.
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Chanelle Harrold
Account Manager
Channel is currently managing two of our largest clients across a range of live experiences including Festivals, B2B, In store, Pop Up and Product Launches. She has also Event Managed multiple product launches, AGM’s, Employee Engagement Events and Incentive programmes for Microsoft.
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Mo Mahmut
Staffing Executive
Mo has been with Kru Live since the 2012 Olympics working in the field. His background is in musical theatre where he performed in many shows both national and international, then had an interest in the production side and began stage managing at different venues.
Mo also has many years experience as an event manager and only really worked with Kru Live so felt like a natural step for Mo to come in and work more closely with us.
Did You Know? ... Mo really enjoys playing the Ukulele and when he gets a free moment can be found playing in a corner somewhere.
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