Q&A with Lauren Wray, Events Intern at Freshwater

Lauren Wray, from Carmarthen, joined Freshwater in September 2025 on its newly launched Bart Haines and Lisa Durston Internship Programme. The programme was launched in Spring 2025 in memory of two much loved former colleagues of Freshwater, who are sadly no longer with us.

The internship programme provides an opportunity for two eager individuals, who are keen to get their foot on the career ladder in marketing and communications. It was established as a way of honouring Bart and Lisa, who were both exceptional role models and whose names are helping to inspire those just starting out in the industry.

Lauren has joined Freshwater as an events intern on the Lisa Durston internship placement. We caught up with Lauren to hear how she’s been finding her feet.

 

Tell us a little bit about your internship placement at Freshwater.
I’m currently working as an Events Administration Intern at Freshwater, supporting the team with a number of exciting projects. My role involves everything from research and planning to logistics and on-the-day event coordination. It’s a really hands-on role and I’ve been made to feel part of the team from day one.

 

What were you doing before you joined Freshwater and how did you hear about the internship?
I graduated from Cardiff University in 2024 with a degree in Business Management. After my graduation, I worked at Swansea University, where I was involved in supporting the delivery of multiple conferences and student engagement events. Then, I spent some time travelling across Asia, before starting my internship at Freshwater.

I found out about the internship through Cardiff Student Futures, and it immediately seemed like a great fit for my interests and career goals.

 

How did you feel when you found out you were successful in securing the placement?
I was thrilled to find out that I had been successful in securing the Freshwater placement. It felt like a significant milestone in my career, particularly as a recent graduate. Securing a role after university can be quite challenging given the competitive job market, so receiving the offer was both a relief and a real confidence boost.

 

What sorts of things have you done so far? And what have you learned?
I joined at a very busy period for the events team, so I’ve been able to hit the ground running with supporting on a number of different projects.

In October, I had the opportunity to work on the 2025 British Ports Association (BPA) Conference, supporting the team in all event administration preparation and on-site delivery. Since BPA, I have worked on a number of projects for the Welsh Government, primarily its upcoming Investment Summit. This has involved managing all aspects of exhibitor communications and providing logistical support, where necessary.

Being involved in numerous events has given me valuable insight into how large-scale events come together. I’ve learned just how much organisation, communication and attention to detail are required to deliver successful experiences consistently.

 

What have been the highlights – and what have been the challenges?
A definite highlight has been attending live events and seeing the work we’ve done behind the scenes come to life. It’s really rewarding to be part of something that brings people together and runs smoothly thanks to our careful planning.

One of the biggest challenges has been adapting to the fast-paced nature of agency life. Projects move quickly and you have to stay on your toes, but it’s a great learning curve.

 

What have you got lined up over the next few months?
Over the next few months, I’ll be continuing to support on upcoming events, and begin managing client relations. There are some exciting projects coming up that I’m really looking forward to being part of, in particular, the annual NASUWT conference in Birmingham.

 

What do you hope to do after the internship has finished?
Ideally, I’d love to stay in the events industry, whether that’s with Freshwater or in a similar role elsewhere. This internship has confirmed that this is the right path for me, and I’m really motivated to keep building on the skills I’m learning.

 

What benefits do you think the internship has given you personally?
This internship has helped me grow in confidence, both professionally and personally. I’ve learned how to manage my time, communicate clearly with clients and colleagues and stay calm under high pressure situations. It’s also been a great opportunity to build my network through engaging with other industry professionals at several networking events.

 

Would you recommend an internship to anybody else in your position? What advice would you give them?
Absolutely, I’d highly recommend it. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door and find out what kind of work you enjoy. My advice would be to go in with an open mind, ask questions and don’t be afraid to get stuck in. Every task, no matter how small, is a learning opportunity.

 

When you’re not at Freshwater, what do you do in your spare time?
Outside of work, I am part of a local netball team, which has been a great way to stay active, build teamwork skills and connect with people in my community. It’s a fun outlet that helps me maintain a healthy work-life balance.

I also like keeping up with the latest trends in marketing and events, and I’ve recently started volunteering to help organise community events, which has been really rewarding.