Lorne Cheetham

Managing director, Ocean Events

Lorne entered the world of exhibitions in 1991 as sales executive on the Ideal Home Show for Trinity, now DMG, learning his trade under the guidance of the likes of Keith Harris and Ivan Allen. After a couple of years at Trinity and working on other events such as Pub, Club & Leisure and the Hotel & Catering Exhibition Lorne made the brave move of setting up his own independent exhibition business. The Pub Show was soon launched and was staged at the NEC where it enjoyed several years.

In 2003 another new event was launched by Lorne’s company, Wave Exhibitions, dedicated to the care home industry. The Care Show took place at the Bournemouth International Centre and the NEC. The event became a complete success and it wasn’t long before Lorne received an offer from CMPi which was too good to refuse and sold up in 2006.

Meanwhile Lorne was researching a couple of brand new events. He formed a new company, Ocean Events, launched the Childcare & Nursery Show (next event is at Olympia in June 2009) and the Workwear & Corporate Clothing Show (next edition is at NEC in April 2009).

Lorne sometimes attends such industry get-togethers as the AEO Awards (usually positioned at the bar, slightly to the right). He is a Vice President of Ellingham & Ringwood Rugby Club, often he can be seen at the odd West Ham match, when it’s sunny you may get a quick glimpse as he speeds past on his old Harley and when it’s miserable he is most likely to be away "researching" possible events in the Maldives, Italy, Morocco or a Greek Island. On Event Crowd Lorne can be seen playing bass with a band called 999.

Lorne has two children Eleanor and Eden and partner, Nicky.