At the top of the industry: Two Emota stars join C&IT’s A-List

We’re incredibly proud to share that two of our brilliant people have been named on C&IT’s prestigious A-List, one of the industry’s most respected recognitions celebrating those shaping the future of events through leadership, creativity and impact.

This year, the spotlight shines on Helina Thompson-Hartley and Brett Halsey whose work and leadership perfectly reflect what Emota stands for.

Helina Thompson-Hartley: A leader who builds teams that thrive

Since joining Emota in 2022, Helina has become a defining force within our Meetings & Events business. She leads one of the most diverse portfolios in the organisation, spanning pharma and non-pharma work, congresses, incentives, product launches, internal meetings and venue sourcing.

Known for her people-first leadership, Helina creates environments where teams feel trusted, supported and empowered. This approach has resulted in one of the most stable and engaged teams in the business, with exceptionally low attrition and eight internal promotions in a single year.

Alongside this, Helina’s commercial impact is significant. Her team delivers around 200 events annually, generates $2m+ in revenue, achieves 20% account growth, and has secured major client wins including re-winning a key global pharma account on a three-year contract.

As one colleague puts it:

“Helina has this rare ability to balance what’s right for the team, the client and the business. She leads with calm confidence and creates an environment where people genuinely thrive.”

Brett Halsey: A producer who elevates every project

Brett Halsey’s inclusion on the A-List recognises his exceptional talent as a Producer within our Live Production team.

He brings together technical excellence, creative thinking and calm leadership, consistently delivering complex, high-profile events across global leadership meetings, hybrid programmes and multi-location broadcasts. He is widely praised for his meticulous preparation, best-in-class documentation and ability to bring clarity and structure to fast-moving environments.

Innovation sits at the heart of Brett’s approach, from championing new technologies to improving how teams collaborate and deliver. Under pressure, he remains composed and decisive, always protecting the quality of the experience for clients and audiences alike.

Clients frequently comment on the experience of working with him:

“You always stayed positive, flexible and showed a real can-do attitude. The event was very successful, and a great part of that was because of you.”

A huge congratulations

Being named on C&IT’s A-List is a significant industry achievement, and having two Emota colleagues recognised in the same year is something we are immensely proud of.

Helina and Brett bring different strengths, but share a commitment to excellence, collaboration and growth. They do not just deliver outstanding work. They help raise standards across our business.

To see the full C&IT Agency A-List 2025 and the incredible talent recognised this year, visit C&IT’s website.