Sledge has announced that Laura Chalcraft has returned to the agency as operations director, after several years in Hong Kong, where she held roles including lead producer at Jack Morton Worldwide.

Chalcraft first joined Sledge as project manager in 2017, before moving to Hong Kong in late 2018, where she delivered experiences throughout the APAC region, including press events for the luxury retail sector, product launches, and engagement activations.

In the newly formed operations director role at Sledge, Chalcraft is responsible for overseeing the project team. She ensures the smooth planning and management of events for Sledge’s global client base – where recent projects have spanned cities including Shanghai, Paris and London – from briefing through to execution.

The move comes as the agency celebrates a new client win that will see it deliver a global leadership event for a renowned technology brand later this year.

In November, Sledge marked a year since it formalised its transition to an Employee-Owned Trust, and the agency recently launched a cross-agency steering committee, which sees senior leaders meet monthly to set key objectives as they relate to the Group’s three core pillars of people, planet and entrusted growth.

Sarah Yeats, Sledge MD said: “Fostering a positive, close-knit culture where all employees are empowered to have their say is incredibly important to us. This was the driving force behind our transition to an Employee Ownership Trust model, as we recognised that to achieve our sustainability vision, goals and roadmap, having all team members 100% onboard and aligned was key, and this is an ethos we remain wholly committed to ongoing.

“This also means I’m delighted to welcome Laura back to Sledge, not only due to her sheer talent and creative prowess, but it also shows us that we’re living and breathing our vision and values, in that our people view us as a positive place to work – so much so, that they opt to re-join.”

Chalcraft added: “I’m thrilled to have returned to my former home at Sledge. As event professionals we spend so much time together, and it was the people and culture that really drew me back to the agency, combined with our diverse range of clients. I’m excited to be back on deck and look forward to continuing to bring awe-inspiring experiences to life for our esteemed partners.”