We partnered with Unipart to plan, manage and deliver all aspects of their exclusive 50th Anniversary Partner Celebration, a high-profile event honouring key clients and collaborators.
The brief required a distinctive venue for 120 guests, including senior leaders, stakeholders, government figures, and press, that reflected Unipart’s legacy and future vision while delivering a premium guest experience.
The evening’s format also needed to strike the right tone - resonating with the core audience while ensuring it remained inclusive, welcoming and engaging for everyone in attendance.
**Venue Management **
We delivered a strategic venue sourcing solution for Unipart, presenting a shortlist of premium Oxfordshire locations in alignment with the client’s preference for a local setting, given their Oxford-based HQ. The selection included luxury hotels, historic university colleges, prestigious country estates. After which, the Ashmolean was selected as the ideal venue, offering a central Oxford location and an architecturally stunning environment.
We collaborated closely with the Museum’s in-house events team to ensure all planning adhered to the institution’s stringent protocols, given the cultural significance and value of its collections.
Logistics & Operations
To ensure a seamless and cohesive experience, Unipart entrusted us with full supplier contract negotiation and management. We oversaw all third-party suppliers, verifying each met the Ashmolean Museum’s strict PLI requirements. Our trusted supplier network covered AV production, catering, floristry, live entertainment, and security services.
We also arranged accommodation at the nearby Randolph Hotel, including parking and other services for both Unipart and a number of event guests.
Given the museum’s operational hours, remaining open to the public until late afternoon, logistical precision was critical. We implemented a tightly managed load-in schedule, liaising with on-site security to ensure timed access for all suppliers. A strict two-hour turnaround for setup was executed flawlessly, ensuring the event was delivered on time and to an incredibly high standard.
We played a pivotal role in the conceptualisation and execution of all event collateral, including place cards, elegantly designed bespoke menu booklets with table companions, custom table numbers, detailed table plans, and branded casino currency.
Attendee Experience
The evening was designed as a sophisticated celebration of partnership and success, unique to Unipart. Guests were welcomed with an elegant pre-dinner drinks reception in the museum’s atrium, offering exclusive access to world-class exhibits in a unique setting. This was followed by a three-course dinner of exceptional quality.
The evening’s programme featured addresses from Unipart’s CEO Darren Leigh and acclaimed mindset and high-performance expert Matthew Syed, both delivering powerful and inspiring messages. Renowned magician and illusionist David Jarre captivated the room with a series of mesmerising performances, seamlessly blending magic and theatre.
Following dinner, guests were invited into a hidden Speakeasy vault beneath the Museum, a late-night experience complete with a full-service bar, cocktails, live modern jazz band, and casino tables. The immersive atmosphere and high-stakes fun created an unforgettable after-hours vibe. To round off the night, an indulgent late-night food offering of brioche rolls and arancini was served, perfectly timed to satisfy post-party appetites.
“The h2o team were outstanding in their leadership and support to create a truly unique event that celebrated our heritage, our present and what we offer our partners for the future. Their dedication and attention to every detail led to an event that seemed effortless, yet had every eventuality planned for. It surpassed our expectations and was a truly apt celebration.”
Delighted guests joined Unipart hosts for an immersive evening of entertainment, connection, and inspiration.
A flawlessly executed event preparation and rig phase set the stage for a warm drinks reception, elegant dinner, and dynamic presentations - all delivered with precision and purpose.
The night delivered 100% entertainment: high energy, high engagement, and a room full of laughter and intrigue - every detail perfectly timed.
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