CN talks events business and future plans with Natacha Allen, head of commercial events, RCP London Events (Royal College of Physicians)
How is the meetings and events business at RCP London Events currently and are you back to pre-Covid levels?
Our meetings and events business has bounced back strongly, with renewed interest in sustainable, inclusive and conscious conferences that align perfectly with what we offer. In 2025, we dealt with over 2,000 enquiries with a value of over £31m and exceeded our budget target by 12% – it was definitely a tremendous year for RCP London Events and it would not have been possible without the constant effort, passion and creativity of all teams involved in event delivery.
What types of events do you most commonly host and what makes RCP London Events an attractive choice for organisers?
We host conferences, lectures, exhibitions and private dining, as well as summer outdoor parties, in our beautiful Medicinal Garden. Organisers are drawn to our combination of heritage, architecture, sustainability initiatives, flexible spaces and our outdoor space, which creates a truly unique setting in the heart of London. It’s hard to point out one reason why organisers choose our venue, but I would say that it is because of our purpose-built facilities, especially our auditoriums, our continuous commitment to innovation, the combination of heritage within a modern event space and, last but not least, our wonderful people. Customer service is one of our strongest features – the team does really go the extra mile in ensuring every event feels unique.
RCP is a Grade I listed building. How does this heritage influence the events you can host and does it present any challenges?
Our heritage adds character and prestige, making events feel special. It encourages us to innovate thoughtfully, like in the case of the recent refurbishment of the Wolfson Theatre, where we introduced modern furniture, a sensory-friendly design and a contemporary, fresh look, while respecting the building’s history. But, of course, it comes with its challenges. Managing a Grade I listed building is a delicate task and has its limitations. This means we have to think creatively about our services and innovations, especially when it comes to sustainability and technology, as heritage venues have the added challenge of having to work within the confines of an often protected structure. Our solutions that align with the needs of the modern organiser and delegate, while maintaining the integrity of the historic building.
You’ve coined the term “conscious conferencing”. Can you explain what it means in practice and how it shapes your events?
Conscious conferencing is about going beyond the basic needs of a conference (location, good catering, technology) and choosing a venue with purpose. Conscious conferencing, we think, puts sustainability, wellbeing, inclusivity and social responsibility at the heart of every event. From plant-forward catering to accessible, calming environments, every choice reflects this philosophy. Our catering, for example, focuses on locally sourced, seasonal, plant-forward menus, while waste and recycling streams are monitored to ensure nothing goes to landfill. But it’s more than sustainability, it is about positively influencing and contributing to society: as one of the Royal College of Physicians’ event venues, all revenue from events hosted at RCP London Events supports the charity in its mission of improving patient care and medical training.
Sustainability is clearly a core focus. How do you help organisers achieve environmentally responsible events?
As an organisation, we have been working on getting our operations right long before sustainability became a trend. For example, we use 100% certified green energy, have replaced all lighting to LED over the course of the years, and manage 20 recycling and waste streams, including garden waste, blue roll and waste electrical and electronic equipment. For years, we have been guiding organisers on making sustainable catering choices, prioritising plant-based and meat-free choices on all menus. In 2026, we will work towards introducing carbon measurement tools too – in fact, some of our team have undergone training to become Carbon Literate recently.
How do your spaces and facilities enhance inclusivity and attendee wellbeing?
Some of the spaces in our venue were designed to have a positive impact on visitors, even in the 1960s. For example, the Lasdun Hall, one of our central areas, presents large windows and views of the Medicinal Garden, bringing natural light in and reinforcing a connection to nature. The garden itself presents an opportunity for clients and delegates to immerse themselves in greenery and is often used as a quiet space during events. Other spaces were recently refurbished with inclusivity in mind. The most recent example is that of the Wolfson Theatre, our largest auditorium, which underwent a major refurbishment in 2024 and was redesigned with neurodiversity in mind.
As part of a registered charity, how does hosting events at RCP London Events contribute to society and how do clients respond to this aspect?
We are proud that all profits from venue hire go directly towards advancing medical education, supporting healthcare professionals and improving patient care across the UK. We’re also proud to work with like-minded partners and suppliers who share our values of inclusion, empowerment and social impact. In partnership with our caterer, Company of Cooks, we support several social enterprises that help people facing social and economic disadvantage such as Luminary Bakery, a London-based women-led charity that empowers marginalised women through training and employment, or Springboard which supports young people into careers in hospitality through work placements, fundraising and ambassador programmes. Our clients love that every event they host with us makes a real social impact.
