EVCOM has announced the recipients of its 2025 Fellowship Awards, to be presented at the annual Fellowship Lunch on 11 December.
This year’s honours will go to Rick Stainton, founder of The Power of Events; Sonal Patel, partner and group head of creative at Brunswick; and Des Good, founder of Grosvenor Films, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
A fourth Fellowship will be awarded to a celebrity figure, whose name is due to be revealed next month.
The Fellowship Awards recognise individuals who have made a significant contribution to the communications and events industries. They are regarded as one of the sector’s highest accolades, celebrating careers defined by creativity, leadership and long-term impact.
Rick Stainton
Stainton is widely credited with reshaping the way the events sector presents itself to the wider world. After building the agency Smyle into one of the UK’s most successful event firms, he turned his attention to industry advocacy. His non-profit initiative, The Power of Events, launched in 2023, now brings together more than 650 partners and supporters, and runs outreach programmes aimed at inspiring 100,000 school students by 2025.
Sonia Patel
Patel, meanwhile, has built an international career at the intersection of film, events and corporate strategy. Leading Brunswick’s global creative practice, she has advised senior leaders on narrative development, brand visibility and high-stakes communications. She is recognised not only for her creative expertise but also for her long-standing service to EVCOM itself, having chaired the organisation and sat on its board.
Des Good
The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to filmmaker Des Good, who established Grosvenor Films and has spent decades shaping the language and standards of corporate film. Known as much for his mentorship and generosity as for his body of work, Good has been described by peers as a “quiet powerhouse” in the industry.
The fellowship lunch is one of EVCOM’s most prestigious annual gatherings. Taking place at a venue overlooking the Thames, the event brings together senior leaders creative practitioners and clients for an afternoon that combines celebration with networking.
Beyond its ceremonial importance, the Lunch has become a business fixture. Many agencies and corporates host clients at the event, using the occasion to strengthen relationships and, in some cases, to finalise deals in a setting that carries both prestige and influence.
Past Fellows have included Sir Trevor McDonald, Bob Geldof KBE, Naga Munchetty and Hugh Bonneville, names that illustrate the prestige of the programme and its reach beyond the communications industry. This year’s addition of a celebrity Fellow is expected to bring further attention and star power to the event.
For EVCOM, the Fellowship Awards serve both as recognition of individual achievement and as a showcase of the industry’s contribution to business, culture and society.