In the world of events, Holly Moore is almost as big a name as the stars she rubs shoulders with.
She’s the founder and CEO of Make Events, which she has grown into a multi-million pound turnover business since launching it in 2012.
During the last 14 years she’s worked with the likes of Robert DeNiro; McFly, Gary Barlow and her personal hero Kylie Minogue.
What makes her success all the more remarkable is she’s had to wrestle with crippling OCD, especially between 2005-2011.
At one point Moore even asked the Priory to be admitted.
Moore has battled back from the depth of despair to find professional success and personal happiness with her new husband Joel Bennett.
Explaining her battle with OCD to The Naked Founder podcast she said: “As with any mental illness there is a massive spectrum from A-Z in terms of what it is but in the main obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an obsession with a thought.
“It’s an intrusive thought that’s in complete opposition with the person’s personality.
“Let’s say a normal person, with a normally functioning brain, would have a split-second thought like ‘my mum and dad have gone out in the car. What if they have a car accident and die?’
“It might be a thought that wouldn’t literally register but for someone with OCD it will then get stuck.”
Her condition deteriorated to the point on New Year’s Eve 2010 when she found herself next to the radiator rocking.
“The terror that you feel with it,” she said. “I was literally in a cold sweat. I felt like I couldn’t go on anymore. I remember ringing my friend and saying ‘I don’t know what to do’.
“Later that day, New Year’s Day, I phoned the Priory and said ‘I think you need to admit me because I can’t carry on like this’.”
Other than a couple of small relapses, Moore’s OCD is in a much better place – although it hasn’t gone away completely
“I still see my psychologist now because if I ever have any major events coming up or any decisions to make, that would be when OCD can find a window,” she said.
“It will either look for when you’re really happy and try and ruin it or it will look for when you’re really stressed and that’s when it try and creep in because you’re not doing best practise.”
Fred Done
Moore launched Make Events in 2012 from her kitchen table. after spending four years at AstraZeneca and one of her first clients was billionaire Fred Done, who entrusted her to organise his 70th birthday party, featuring Alfie Boa
“He gave me a chance,” she recalled. “I literally remember it as clear as day. He said ‘I’m going to give you a chance, don’t f*ck it up, keep it secret’.”
She’s worked with a galaxy of stars, including ‘humble’ Robert DeNiro; McFly, Gary Barlow and her personal hero Kylie Minogue.
I should be so lucky: Holly Moore with her hero Kylie Minogue
Moore’s discretion is guaranteed although she did reveal legendary actor De Niro likes two Chamomile tea bags in each cup!
Make Events has also worked with some of the UK’s biggest companies, including Castore, Matillion, Co-op and Represent.
The company’s success is all the more remarkable because it’s been completely bootstrapped.
In April, 2026, she married her long-term partner, Joel Bennett after a fairytale romance when he came to work for Make Events.
Just married: Joel Bennett and Holly Moore
Bennett is a former part-time model and she recalled their first meeting.
“There was an instant connection,” she admitted. “We both didn’t think about it because of course I’m not going to get with somebody who works here.”
Last year the couple acquired London-based The PA Club – the pioneering network for senior PAs and EAs.
You can listen the episode here
The episode is sponsored by Financielle – The Home of Money for Women.