We can arrange an entire package of services or deal with specific requirements, according to clients' particular needs, whether for a single event or entire annual programme, or for a one-off  film, TV documentary or a whole series.

The EventPlan and Historical Film Services teams

Flexibility is our watchword. Permanent staff are augmented as required by skilled colleagues who work with us on specific projects in specialist roles. Key staff include:

Howard Giles, Managing Director

Considered by many to be Britain’s most experienced historical event professional, Howard is perhaps best known for creating and thereafter directing English Heritage’s ambitious events programme, 1984-2000. With a flair for showmanship he often personally organised and scripted many of the thousands of events - both historical and non-historical - staged during this period, particularly large-scale “spectaculars”.  A huge number of major events aside, Howard’s achievements included consistently balancing a huge national programme of events by geography, theme, scale and date across 100+ historic properties, whilst still meeting English Heritage’s diverse regional objectives. Howard trained many staff and literally “wrote the book” on events, English Heritage’s 300-page manual covering every aspect of event planning and management.

Perhaps his greatest challenge to date came in June 2001 with the groundbreaking Battle of Orgreave, a re-enactment of the bloodily climactic confrontation of the 1984 miners’ strike. Creating two opposing “armies” of 800 “police” and “miners”, he organised, scripted and directed scenes so vivid that hairs stood on end amongst the audience, many of whom had witnessed the original riot.

In March 2002, Howard visited India, where he and Barbara (below) were able to assist hoteliers and site managers at Hospet and Hampi with suggestions on improving the infrastructure and interpretation in and around the fantastic ruined city of  Vijayanagara. In 2005 he trained performers, scripted and helped direct major displays for The Roman Army and Chariot Experience at Jerash in Jordan. Numerous UK based events have been staged each year and Howard is currently organising our 2009 programme, whilst planning ahead for 2010.

As a military historian, Howard offers his expertise as a historical advisor to film and TV. This was used to good effect when supplying and co-ordinating over 100 Roman extras for a major TV advert for Tetley's Bitter. He supplied and co-ordinated the historical extras for - and appeared in - all 6 episodes of Historyonics for BBC 1 and was featured in the series Perfect weapon, as on screen military expert on the use of the iconic 1853 Enfield rifled musket.

Barbara Giles, Company Secretary and Administrative Manager

Barbara is a skilled facility manager, specialising in meeting and preferably exceeding visitor expectations of site facilities, together with daily managing, ticketing, crowd control and financial administration, all to very high standards. At the Battle of Orgreave she was responsible for many vital administrative & support duties, equipment and staffing including co-ordination of 30 stewards in numerous key locations. It is role she repeated for our numerous events to date.

In India Barbara suggested to local businessmen and heritage specialists various ways in which facilities might be improved to meet typical Western tourist expectations.

Before meeting Howard, Barbara was a Custodian for many years at English Heritage sites including Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Kenilworth and Kirby Muxloe Castles, initiating and managing a number of local events. She later took on the role of Administrative Manager at Odds Farm Park, Buckinghamshire, one of the most successful children’s attractions in Britain. 

Barbara appeared in Dick Turpin and Mary Queen of Scots, two episodes of Historyonics (see above) and in Guy Fawkes.

Our valued part time staff includes:

Event Managers Heather Gallagher, Marco Kleijn, Susan Kirk, Tony Pinnington, Paul Bristow and Debby Chivers. Trusted, tireless, invaluable colleagues who join us for specific events, assisting with various on-site management functions.

Event Assistants: We augment our usual staff as required by the size of events from our gallant band of assistants including Alison Clayton, Marika Cotton, Mac McLoughlin, Jenny Walton and others.

Commentators: David Rumble and Dave McLoughlin are skilled narrators ad Masters of Ceremony who we engage whenever appropriate. Howard is also an extremely experienced commentator and regularly