From a very young age, Ann McDonald was trained to perform!  On stage from the age of five and naturally endowed with rhythm she can’t remember it being a difficult task to jump into action as the spots revealed the stage and blocked out the faces of the audience. These early memories gave her an everlasting love of performance. Ann feels there is  great joy seeing an event is well done, be it a clean and modern exhibition or a variety show or a launch of a new car model - for her it is all performance. Working with the SIAN Events team of 25 is also a joy.  To be surrounded by such innovative talent,  young people with wonderful bright minds and such energy to reach for perfection every time she finds invigorating to say the least.

From this performance background, inevitably Ann was drawn into the events world, along with Simon, (her husband) and Claire (her daughter) SIAN Events was born many years ago in the UK.  Ann’s main role is now Operational she is drawing on many years of experience working with Corporate Companies such as Decca and Air Products.   The joy is still there ? it always will be!

Claire McDonald is one of the owners of SIAN Events. She is a highly creative event director with a wide range of skills and experience. Claire’s has been creating events for the past ten years and has worked all over the world designing and managing events for clients such as Mubadala, Besix, Hyundai, Emirates Airline, HSBC, Toyota, Damac, Omniyat and Ferrari. Claire was responsible for the Mubadala/Ferrari series of International events following the F1 circuit from Canada to Singapore to Milan to Montreal and Istanbul.

Claire’s skill is in interpreting a brand in a highly creative unique way and with her degree in mechanical engineering she has the knowledge to back up her ideas.

Kelly Fitzgerald is the General Manager of SIAN Events.  With close to twenty years experience in conferences and exhibitions, event management and live communications, Kelly has spent the last ten years working in the Middle East as an event director and brand communications practitioner.  She worked extensively with Al Futtaim Group Real Estate to launch and market the highly successful 1300 acre mixed used development Dubai Festival City and also launched its sister project, Cairo Festival City to international investors through a strategic programme of international conferences, events and exhibitions.

Prior to moving to the UAE, Kelly spent a number of years as a production manager for film and television, working with leading companies such as Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and broadcasters ITV, the  BBC and Channel 4 Television.  With a strong production background it was a natural progression into live communications, events and exhibitions and her experience in the middle east is extensive. 

Since arriving in Dubai in 2007 to work as an events manager Lauren noticed a real gap in the market for bespoke costumes and hostess outfits for events, so back in 2008 creative thread and its studio was formed. The main selling point of the service Creative Thread offers is complete project management and design of client’s requirements. There are many tailors in Dubai and tailor shops offing what can be a fabulous service. However, when trying to prepare and run events, countless trips to satwa sourcing fabrics and materials without someone who understands your design, in the hope you will end up with a desired product is not always viable. Through her experience and dedication to her clients, Lauren has managed to source the best fabrics materials and auxiliary services making Creative Thread the perfect one stop shop.

Leading on from this has been the creation of the label By Lauren. This again was started when Lauren was asked regularly to make or alter personal items for client’s items such as dresses new and vintage, suits and shirts etc. This has since developed into bridal ware, which is growing and becoming a large part of Creative Thread.

Veronica is the newest member of the Sian team having recently joined us from the UK where she has a wealth of events experience with a track record of organising and managing a broad range of events, from large-scale, high profile music festivals to experiential marketing events, corporate ceremonies and public sector community events.

She has worked on many of UK’s major music festivals including the Reading Festival, Glastonbury Festival and the London Mela , the largest Mela outside the Indian sub-continent. She has a calm, pragmatic and strategic approach to planning and managing events and specialises in turning a concept into reality.

Previous clients include the London Borough of Ealing , Nissan, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, American Express, and the Greater London Authority .Veronica has a degree in English Literature and is NEBOSH Health and Safety trained.

Rehnaz is an experienced event coordinator who has been with SIAN for the past three years since graduating from Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.  She has worked on a variety of projects whilst with the company including a series of Formula 1 Events for Mubadala in Abu Dhabi and project managing the FIFA Trophy Tour which was a road show across the UAE.



Rehnaz has a sound technical background and a keen interest in production and therefore an asset for any event.

Rhea is a dedicated event coordinator who works primarily on SIAN public events.  Rhea recently graduated with a degree in finance but has been working on SIAN public events for the past four years.  Notable projects have been the highly successful Celtic Tenors GCC Tour and her support on the SIAN’s signature event, Picnic on the Park.

Rhea combines financial acumen with a passion for theatre and entertainment.

Faisal heads up the design team at SIAN Events. Having worked in the events industry in the UAE for the last four years, his experience and knowledge of what works in the region is invaluable.

Formally educated with a degree in Commerce, his love for art encouraged him to pursue a degree in Graphic Design and 3D Animation. Working for Artaaj Events in Dubai, Faisal most notably created the brand identity for Big Boys Toys ? one of the biggest exhibitions in the country.

With an eye for detail, a highly creative mind and the ability to visually represent event concepts, make him an instrumental member of the creative team.