Karen Lohana

Motivated and creative professional, who always tries to excel at everything she does. With the ability to work independently or as part of a team. Always keen to listen and learn from others in order to improve professionally and personally.

* Run Interiors (Labtech) - FF&E Procurement and Design Consultant | February 2020 - to date
- Working closely with Head of Design to create project brief, the timeline, budget, and deadlines of the project.
- Assisting the Design team with sourcing all necessary information to complete the detailed specification document.
- Consulting with new members in order to provide them with furniture that meets their requirements within the budget set.
- Creating design proposals to present to clients.
- Selecting colour schemes, styles, themes, and layouts to bring the approved design to life.
- Ordering fabrics and materials for new projects, as well as looking after samples library. - Building relationships with a variety of suppliers and designers.
- Researching new suppliers and furniture designers.
- Arranging supplier’s meetings and showroom visits.
- Raising and placing purchase orders.
- Organising the purchasing schedule, liaising with the Project manager to ensure all project milestones are reached.
- Liaise with suppliers ensuring all lead times are known and all orders accurate.
- Administrate and track all orders in the purchase process providing timely updates to Head of Design, Project Managers, and Operations Director.
- Liaising with contractors and suppliers in order to ensure FF&E is delivered on time.
- Working on project fit-outs and overseeing the installation of FF&E alongside contractors.
- Ensuring that the clients’ message has been conveyed and that they are satisfied with the outcome.
- Assisting with social media and marketing tasks.

* LABS Worldwide (Labtech) - Event Planner | October 2018 - October 2019
- Liaising with clients to identify their needs prior to the event.
- Working closely with sales and marketing teams to publicize and promote the event space.
- Manage and coordinate a team of staff, suppliers, and all event logistics such as Catering, Layout, Furniture Removal, Branding, and AV.
- Propose and implement ideas to improve provided services and event quality.
- Ensure compliance with insurance, legal, health, and safety obligations.
- Working closely across all LABS Departments including Front of House, IT, and Interior Designers to ensure both our internal and external clients happiness.
- Working with brands such as HSBC, IBM, Teddy Baker, Fred Perry, GHD, Pinterest, DFS, etc.

* Hire Space - Venue Expert (Event Sales) | August 2017 – October 2018
- Dealing with B2B and B2C clients on new inquiries.
- Qualifying inquiries, searching for venues, sending proposals, and following up with clients. - Developing in-depth knowledge of a client’s industry and needs to create rapport.
- Maintaining a good relationship with clients in order to get repeat business.
- Managing accounts of venues to ensure their Hire Space profile is up to date.
- Visiting a number of different venues in order to become an expert.
- Organising clients events, in order to entertain clients and sell Hire Space.
- Cross-selling suppliers such as caterers and production.
- Attending weekly sales training.

* D&D London - Events Executive | February 2016 – August 2017

- Handling and managing both corporate and private enquiries for all sorts of events.
- Sending proposals and following up, completing site visits and answering all client questions. - Building long-term relationships with clients to ensure repeat business.
- Demonstrating an extensive knowledge of the venue, using suggestive selling to influence clients' average spend, and ultimately converting the enquiry into a confirmed booking.
- Contracting and detailing all aspects of the event on a function sheet which is communicated to the entire team on the evening.

* DSTRKT London – Marketing & Events Assistant | November 2015 – February 2016:
- Creating new content and updating social media platforms.
- Liaising with a wide range of websites and bloggers.
- Communicating with clients on a daily basis.
- Organizing market research and creating campaigns in order to attract more business. - Assisting the events manager on corporate and private events.

* Photographer | 2011 – 2015:
- Working on a variety of events both nationally and internationally
- Freelancing in my spare time, doing corporate headshots, lifestyle portraits, interiors and events.

Certificate of Higher Education in Interior Design at The University of The Arts London