Celebrating the exceptional women of the Veevers Carter team
As promised on International Women’s Day we'd like to spotlight the remarkable individuals who comprise our exceptional team of women.
Join us as we throw our favourite quick-fire questions their way, uncovering insights, inspirations, and the unique stories from the talented women who design, create and plan each Veevers Carter installation, transforming events into the extraordinary.
Marita Wai
Head of Floristry and Styling
How long have you been a part of the floristry industry?
24 years
Signature style?
Natural, delicate. I love a special detail.
Favourite flower?
This is constantly changing with the seasons, currently it’s Fritillaria.
Who or what inspires your floral creations the most?
Nature and the seasons most of all.
Most memorable event?
I have been very fortunate to have worked on some amazing events. One of the most special and memorable is surely Ming’s daughter, Olivia’s wedding. It was late May and we used the most beautiful English flowers we could find. It was very romantic.
Are there any women in or out of the industry who have inspired or mentored you throughout your career?
Darlene Jackson, she gave me my very first job in floristry and has mentored and encouraged me along the way ever since. Over two decades later we are still close, despite living on different continents. I will always be grateful to have met her.
Any special message or advice you'd like to share with aspiring women pursuing a career in events floristry?
Look to nature, thinking about the way something grows naturally, using seasonal ingredients in your designs will always add something special to them.
Helaine Gurgel
Floral Buyer
How long have you been a part of the floristry industry?
Since 2000 - I moved to Porto, Portugal from Brazil. I started as an apprentice at a flower shop near my uni, it was convenient and I needed to earn some extra cash whilst I studied. After a few months I was hooked! I developed an intense passion and curiosity for flowers, plants, and design. Since then, I have never stopped working in the industry.
Signature style?
I don’t have a specific style, however, I love movement, lightness, and simplicity.
Favourite flower?
All flowers have their unique beauty! If I had to choose one, I would choose Peonies.
Who or what inspires your floral creations the most?
The first person to truly inspire me is a floral artist from Lisbon, Carlos, I worked with him for over 5 years. He has a French floral background and a very creative mind. Gregor Lersch from Germany is also a huge inspiration, I have been fortunate enough to attend his flower courses over the years. And I’ll forever be inspired by Daniel Ost from Belgium, his books truly made me dream!
Most memorable event?
There’s so many it’s difficult to choose! There’s three real stand-outs:
1. The Rock in Rio concert in Lisbon and Madrid, we dressed the VIP areas and the singers' dressing rooms. We had a great team and artistic freedom in design. As a bonus we could also attend the gigs and meet the artists!
2. ‘Temps de Flors’ in Girona, when I lived in Lisbon I joined a group of international florists from Spain, together we participated in the festival. Each year the city comes alive with flowers, dressed by floral artists from around the world, it was an incredible experience working with talented people from so many different countries.
3. Ming's daughters wedding, Ming brought the whole team together to achieve excellence. The flower list was incredibly rich with the most exquisite, seasonal, English flowers.
Are there any women in or out of the industry who have inspired or mentored you throughout your career?
In the UK, our Creative Director, Ming, has inspired me to develop a special love for British flowers. Working with Ming has significantly increased my knowledge in this area and has helped me see British flowers in a completely different light.
Any special message or advice you'd like to share with aspiring women pursuing a career in events floristry?
Working in the flower industry requires a great deal of passion, strength, and curiosity. It's important to stay curious and never lose your love for flowers and nature.
Niamh McNicholas
Florist
How long have you been a part of the floristry industry?
Two and a half years, fresh out the floral womb!
Signature style?
Natural, colourful and a little unruly.
Favourite flower?
Changes with the season (the classic florist answer) but if you’re going to force me to pick, I’d say Japanese Anemone!
Who or what inspires your floral creations the most?
I love a theme and recreating worlds with natural components, I feel inspired by whatever world I’m trying to emulate.
Most memorable event?
I loved the Waddesdon Manor wedding photoshoot we created flowers for last summer. Working in the outdoors on beautiful grounds, in the warm sunshine, with a colourful wedding cake house as our inspiration and a team of brilliant florists having a laugh and creating incredibly pretty installations was my perfect floral day.
Are there any women in or out of the industry who have inspired or mentored you throughout your career?
Honestly, my friends who are in creative industries! Watching them succeed and the joy and integrity they take in their work inspired me to leave my office job and pursue something creative and hands on.
Any special message or advice you'd like to share with aspiring women pursuing a career in events floristry?
Don’t deliberate for too long or question your ability - jump right in and the rest will fall into place, you’ll figure everything out along the way.
Kim Hitchens
Studio Manager (Mat Cover)
How long have you been a part of the floristry industry?
9 years!
Signature style?
Wild, colourful, garden style with a hint of fun.
Favourite flower?
Teddy bear sunflowers, in fact, all the sunflowers!
Who or what inspires your floral creations the most?
Nature, seasons, design, colours and textures.
Most memorable event?
At the start of my career, I worked as a florist out in Bermuda, it was insane!
We created huge bouquets from a really cool kiosk, and I had my first experience of contract floristry in one of Bermuda’s biggest hotels, the sheer scale of flowers was extraordinary, and the weddings were incredible, out on the sun-soaked unspoilt beaches.
Are there any women in or out of the industry who have inspired or mentored you throughout your career?
My sister is incredibly inspiring to me, she has gone back to uni and restarted her career in music therapy, I’m truly proud of her.
Within the industry I have been fortunate enough to learn from many strong women during my time as florist, I appreciate each and every moment they’ve given me and I continue to feel inspired by every woman I work with.
Any special message or advice you'd like to share with aspiring women pursuing a career in events floristry?
It will be cold and dirty at times, but the flowers will always make you happy!
Natalie Best
Floral Event Designer
How long have you been a part of the floristry industry?
About three years!
Signature style?
I love quintessentially British florals as much as I love modern sculptured work such as Doctor Cooper. Right now, I am enjoying food and florals – have you seen my Radicchio wall at the NPG?
Favourite flower?
This changes with the seasons – right now, a classic Icelandic Poppy. Soft, delicate yet sculptural and modern.
Who or what inspires your floral creations the most?
I previously worked in the fashion industry and pivoted into floristry therefore fashion and the arts are a huge inspiration, especially when it comes to larger installations. I love going to art galleries and travelling really inspires me. I love Mary Lennox and her approach to floristry, incorporating natural elements into highly visual designs.
Most memorable event?
It has to be the Social Pantry showcase at NPG, that was just dreamy, and I really enjoyed working with the SP team on building such a beautiful tablescape. Also, the Aston Martin Formula 1 launch because I am a F1 supporter, it was an amazing opportunity to work on such a big production.
Are there any women in or out of the industry who have inspired or mentored you throughout your career?
My mother, Rufina will always be my inspiration first and foremost, she has mentored me in life and given me so many opportunities to reach my dreams and goals. My mother has always supported me and been my biggest cheerleader when I didn’t see my own potential. In the industry, there’s so many creative florists it would be hard to list them all but to highlight - Ming Veevers Carter, Joanna Rhodes, Sophie Powell, Doctor Cooper – the list could truly be endless.
Any special message or advice you'd like to share with aspiring women pursuing a career in events floristry?
Believe in yourself and your creativity especially in the midst of the challenging times, be kind to everyone and remember you are an artist so be creative and have fun!
Clare Jackson
Floral Event Designer
How long have you been a part of the floristry industry?
9 years!
Signature style?
English garden but with bold colours.
Favourite flower?
Nasturtiums… are my favourite today.
Who or what inspires your floral creations the most?
Art, the Dutch still life paintings, fashion, colour trends – anything visual.
Most memorable event?
My most memorable event is a recent one!
I designed the florals for the 2024 BAFTA nominees party – where we created a huge floral sculpture for the feature bar in the National Gallery’s Barry rooms, it was a proud moment to see it come to life.
Are there any women in or out of the industry who have inspired or mentored you throughout your career?
My grandma, she turned 100 last week, Grandma is obsessed with flowers and gardening. Growing up on her farm, her garden was always spectacular – rows of hellebore in winter, hundreds of daffodils in spring and foxgloves in the summer! Since I was a tiny toddler you could find me with a trowel digging up her flowerbeds.
Any special message or advice you'd like to share with aspiring women pursuing a career in events floristry?
It’s hard graft, long days and cold weather, incredibly physical – but it is so so worth when you stand back and see the finished piece. Don’t give up, keep going is my best advice!
Penny Lindeque
Head of Events
How long have you been a part of the floristry industry?
I have worked in the events and design industry for over 20 years and with flowers specifically for 6 of those years.
Signature style?
Understated elegance.
Favourite flower?
I love Spring flowers, the new splash of colour that comes with the season is very welcoming! Im not sure I have a favourite but do love the delicate nature of poppies the colours can’t help but make you smile.
Who or what inspires your floral creations the most?
The seasons and the space the flowers will live in have a huge impact when i’m designing, I don’t think you can force a design out of context, it just doesn’t work and looks uncomfortable. Proportions and the feel of the space need to be reflected within the flowers.
Most memorable event ?
A beautiful wedding for a client at their home. The gardens were incredible and it was such a treat to be able to work with the family gardener to see the full cycle - sowing our desired flowers, cutting them from the gardens and then seeing it all come to life.
Are there any women in or out of the industry who have inspired or mentored you throughout your career?
I have been hugely inspired by a strong female I had the great pleasure of working for, Bee Osborn who is the founder of Osborn Interiors. She taught me so much, not only about great design but also about perseverance. She is an amazingly strong person and I’m very grateful to have had the time to learn from her.
Any special message or advice you'd like to share with aspiring women pursuing a career in events floristry?
Don’t be afraid.
Kelly Sluman
Operations Manager
How long have you been a part of the floristry industry?
29 years!
Signature style?
Classic with a quirky twist.
Favourite flower?
Every flower in its truest season is my favourite!
Who or what inspires your floral creations the most?
Anything and everything, my colleagues, friends, art and nature.
Most memorable event?
A tropical, secluded beach wedding, it was equal parts the most gruelling and equal parts the most spectacular!
Are there any women in or out of the industry who have inspired or mentored you throughout your career?
Ming Veevers Carter, working and learning alongside Ming for the last 16 years has made me the florist I am today. Ming’s generosity with her knowledge and her tenacity to push you outside of your comfort zone has been invaluable.
Any special message or advice you'd like to share with aspiring women pursuing a career in events floristry?
Trust the journey.
You might end up somewhere completely different from where you anticipated and know that you will never stop learning.