Meet the Team - Sally Clarke, Marketing & Events Coordinator

Tell us a bit about yourself

I didn’t have a clear career path mapped out from college. I initially went to a performing arts college, but I quickly realised it wasn’t going to be a sustainable long-term career. It’s still something I really enjoy, but I’ve kept it as a hobby rather than pursuing it professionally. 

After that, I moved into a sales role, which I did for a few years while figuring out what I wanted to do. Then I had the opportunity to move to Australia when my partner was playing cricket there, and we lived in Melbourne for six months. 

While I was there, I worked at a prestigious golf club that hosted events like the Australian Open. I started off waitressing, but I ended up working closely with the events manager, who gave me the opportunity to support event delivery. That was my first real exposure to events, and I really enjoyed being involved. 

When we returned to the UK, it was during the COVID pandemic, so I worked at Tesco for a short time. Shortly after that, I moved into a temporary marketing role while covering maternity leave, and that’s when I realised it was something I genuinely enjoyed and wanted to pursue further which then turned into a permanent position. 

I spent a few years building my experience in marketing, and then in December last year I joined Ceramics UK. My current role combines both marketing and events, which really suits my skills and interests. 

What’s your role at Ceramics UK?

My role sits across both marketing and events from Ceramics UK and the Brick Development Association, although I’m more heavily focused on the events side. I’m involved in the full process, from the initial concept and planning through to the delivery and rollout of each event. 

The events I work on vary quite a lot in scale. Some are smaller, more focused sessions with around 30 - 40 attendees, while others are much larger, such as our flagship events with 600 guests. 

What makes my role unique is that I’m involved in both the planning and the promotion of these events. Alongside organising logistics, I also manage the marketing side - this includes social media content, website updates, email communications to members, and speaker outreach. 

A couple of key events I’m currently working on include the Pledge Conference in October, which I’m delivering alongside our SHE Director and Senior Events & Marketing Manager, and The Brick Awards in November, which is one of the industry’s major flagship events. It’s exciting to be involved in such a wide range of projects. 

What do you enjoy most about your role?

What I enjoy most is the variety, no two days are the same. I’m not coming in and doing the same tasks every day, which keeps things interesting. Because we deliver such a wide range of events, I’m constantly switching between different projects, plans, and ways of thinking. 

I also really enjoy the people side of the role. Whether that’s reaching out to speakers, building relationships, or bringing new people on board for our events, it’s something I find really rewarding. 

And I’d say the most enjoyable part is actually being at the events themselves. After spending months planning and organising everything, it’s really satisfying to see it all come together and know you’ve played a part in making it happen. 

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day would include creating and scheduling social media content, as well as liaising with speakers and venues for upcoming events. 

I work closely with the rest of the team to ensure we’re aligned on priorities and that all event plans are progressing as scheduled. With multiple events often in development at the same time, communication and coordination are key. 

There’s also a creative element to the role, such as developing promotional content and producing assets for our marketing channels. 

Overall, it’s a blend of planning, collaboration, and creative work, which keeps the role both varied and engaging. 

Brick Works Manchester January 2026, pictured from left to right: Ceramics UK Policy Manager - Rachel Timmins, Marketing & Events Coordinator - Sally Clarke, Senior Marketing & Events Manager - Louise Crane, Marketing Executive - Sally Banks

Since joining Ceramics UK, do you have a particular highlight?

One of the standout highlights for me was attending the Ceramics UK Parliamentary Dinner in London in January. It’s an exclusive event that brings members together with MPs and ministers, giving them the opportunity to discuss key industry challenges directly. 

I found it really eye-opening to hear first-hand about the issues our members are facing and to see the important advocacy work that Ceramics UK does on their behalf. 

It was also a great experience personally, as we were given an exclusive tour, which made the whole evening feel even more special. Being part of that event was something I really valued. 

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned in your career so far?

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned, particularly from working in events, is that things don’t always go to plan, and that’s okay. You have to be adaptable and able to think on your feet to find alternative solutions. 

Planning is important, but so is having contingencies in place and staying calm under pressure. Even if something doesn’t go exactly as expected, you can still deliver a successful outcome by adjusting and making the most of the situation. 

What’s your favourite thing about working for Ceramics UK?

I’d say the team is definitely my favourite part. It’s a relatively small team, everyone is really approachable and supportive. You can easily pick up the phone or speak to anyone, and there’s a genuine sense that people want you to do well and are happy to help. 

It creates a positive, close-knit working environment, which I really value. 

How would you describe the team in three words?
Supportive, passionate, collaborative. 

What is your favourite part of an event day?

My favourite part is that moment when the setup is complete and guests start to arrive. There’s a real buzz as people begin to come in, whether they’re meeting new contacts or catching up with people they haven’t seen in a while. 

It’s rewarding to see everything start to come together and come to life for the first time. After all the planning, that’s the point where you can really step back and see the impact of what you’ve created. 

50 years is an incredible legacy for the Brick Awards. As the coordinator behind the scenes, how are you scaling up the celebrations for this year? Are there any new categories, surprises, or marketing twists?

It’s a really exciting year for the Brick Awards as we celebrate the 50-year milestone, so we’ve been focused on making it feel bigger and more special than ever before.  

One of the key additions is a one-off category for this year, the Legacy Award, which recognises the impact and history of the awards over the past five decades. 

We’ve also launched a new initiative called “Future of Brick,” an architectural design competition inviting architects and designers to envision a building for 2075. It’s been a great way to bring something fresh and forward-thinking into the celebrations, and the winner will receive tickets to the awards. 

From a creative and marketing perspective, we’ve developed a really distinct theme to mark the occasion. To celebrate the 50th anniversary, we wanted to position the Brick Awards as the 'Oscars of the brick world', so everything is centred around a luxurious black, red and gold Art Deco style that captures the heritage and prestige of the awards. That look and feel will run consistently across all of our marketing and branding. 

On the night itself, that theme will really come to life. We’re introducing new, themed entertainment that ties into the overall style - something a bit different from previous years to elevate the experience and make it feel even more memorable. 

Overall, it’s about celebrating the history of the awards while also bringing in new ideas and energy to make this 50th year really stand out – it’s a huge moment for the association and our members. 

Do you have a go-to tip or hack that helps make your day run smoothly?

I think one of the biggest things for me is staying calm when things don’t go to plan. In events especially, there will always be unexpected challenges, so it’s important not to panic. 

I try to take a step back, look at the situation objectively, and focus on finding a solution rather than worrying about the problem. Most things are fixable with the right mindset, and nine times out of ten, it all works out. 

It’s really about staying level-headed, being adaptable, and keeping things in perspective. 

And when you aren’t busy promoting or planning, how do you recharge your creative batteries?

Outside of work, I’m heavily involved in local theatre, particularly musicals, which is something I’ve been passionate about from a young age. It’s a great creative outlet for me and a way to completely switch off from work. 

A lot of my friends are involved in theatre as well, so I also enjoy going to watch and support their performances. It’s a really nice way to stay connected to something creative and inspiring outside of my day-to-day role. 

Can you share a fun fact about yourself that might be surprising?

A fun fact about me is that I used to have a pet African pygmy hedgehog. They’re actually quite popular as small pets, but not many people have come across one before, so it always surprises people! 

Do you have a fun fact about the industry?

One thing that really surprised me when I joined the industry is just how much ceramics are part of everyday life. Most people think of things like bricks or tiles, but ceramics are actually used in so many unexpected places, from smartphones to cars and even renewable energy technology. 

It completely changed my perspective, because it’s one of those industries that’s quietly everywhere, even if you don’t realise it.