Corporate Event MC London: Hosting The Ireland Funds Women in Business & Philanthropy Lunch

There's something rather special about bringing together a room full of brilliant women, extraordinary stories and a shared desire to make a difference.

And when that room is filled with members of the Irish business and philanthropic community in the heart of London, it feels particularly close to home.

In February 2026, I had the pleasure of being the MC and event host for The Ireland Funds Great Britain Women in Business & Philanthropy Lunch at the beautiful Waldorf Hilton in London.

An afternoon celebrating leadership, literature, generosity and the power of women supporting women.

And my job? To bring it all together, keep the energy flowing and make sure everyone in the room felt part of something special.

Corporate Event MC London Kathryn B Wilson

More than an MC: Hosting with purpose

I've always believed that being a great event host is about much more than introducing the next person onto the stage.

It's about understanding why everyone is in the room in the first place.

For The Ireland Funds, that purpose is particularly meaningful. The organisation works to support communities, charities and initiatives across Ireland and Great Britain, bringing people together through philanthropy and a shared commitment to positive change.

You can read more about the extraordinary work of The Ireland Funds Great Britain and the organisations it supports.

As MC, my role was to guide the afternoon, introduce our wonderful guests, facilitate conversations, celebrate achievements and, importantly, help create the kind of atmosphere where people felt inspired to give generously.

Professional? Absolutely.

But warm, engaging and with plenty of personality? Always.

Because even the most prestigious events should feel human.

MC Kathryn B Wilson on stage

Brilliant women and conversations worth having

One of the highlights of the afternoon was the opportunity to bring some extraordinary women and their stories to the stage.

We heard from business leader Anne Heraty, in conversation with Eavan Saunders, Managing Partner at Dentons Ireland, discussing leadership, resilience and what it means to break barriers while creating opportunities for others.

There was also a wonderful conversation between acclaimed author Louise Kennedy and broadcaster and journalist Mariella Frostrup, exploring creativity, writing and the courage to find your voice.

As the event's MC, I helped facilitate the programme and its interviews, introducing the guests, connecting the conversations and keeping the afternoon moving naturally from one moment to the next.

My background in television and radio presenting has taught me just how important it is to listen, respond and understand the room.

And whether I'm hosting a corporate conference, moderating a panel discussion or guiding a more intimate conversation, that's always the approach I bring.

The best events don't feel like a series of separate agenda items.

They feel like one brilliant conversation.

Presenting Louise Kennedy with her achievement award

One of my personal highlights was having the honour of presenting acclaimed Irish author Louise Kennedy with The Ireland Funds Great Britain Outstanding Contribution to Literature Award.

It was a lovely moment of recognition for a writer whose work has made such an impression on readers.

And moments like these are a reminder that an MC's role isn't always about being the biggest personality in the room.

Sometimes it's about creating the right atmosphere, giving an achievement the recognition it deserves and allowing somebody else's moment to shine.

From laughter and lively conversations to moments of genuine appreciation, I love the balance that comes with hosting an event like this.

Encouraging generosity - and getting the room involved!

Of course, this wasn't simply a celebration of remarkable women.

It was also an opportunity to raise vital funds for the charities and communities supported by The Ireland Funds.

And that's where a different side of being an event MC comes into play.

Getting the room involved!

Throughout the afternoon, I helped encourage guests to participate in the blind auction, bringing energy, humour and a little gentle persuasion to the fundraising.

Because when you're asking a room full of people to dig deep for a brilliant cause, the atmosphere matters.

You want people to feel connected to the purpose of the event. You want them to enjoy themselves. And you want to create those moments of shared excitement that encourage everyone to get involved.

There's a real skill in reading a room and knowing when to turn up the energy, when to inject a little humour and when to remind everyone why their generosity matters.

For me, that's one of the most rewarding parts of hosting charity events and fundraising lunches.

You're not just helping the event run smoothly.

You're helping the event achieve something meaningful.

Celebrating the charities behind the occasion

Another important part of the afternoon was recognising the organisations making a real difference through the support of The Ireland Funds.

Among those highlighted was The Parent Rooms, an organisation supporting parents experiencing mental health challenges and helping families access vital support.

It's easy to become caught up in the beautiful surroundings, the wonderful guests and the excitement of an event like this.

But hearing about the people and communities benefiting from the funds raised is what gives the occasion its real significance.

And it's why I think the role of an MC at a fundraising event is particularly important.

You have to be able to move effortlessly between celebration, conversation, humour and heartfelt moments.

All while keeping the audience engaged and the purpose of the day front and centre.

A little piece of Ireland in London

Being originally from Northern Ireland, there's always something special about hosting events that bring together the Irish community in Great Britain.

I've built much of my presenting and event-hosting career in London and across the UK, but my connection to Ireland remains a huge part of who I am.

So to be hosting an afternoon celebrating Irish talent, women in business and the generosity of a community committed to making a difference felt particularly lovely.

And what better setting than the Waldorf Hilton in the heart of London?

A beautiful venue, an inspiring group of guests and an afternoon filled with warmth, laughter and generosity.

Exactly the kind of event I love being part of.

What makes a great corporate event MC in London?

Whether I'm hosting a conference, corporate lunch, awards ceremony or charity fundraising event, I always come back to the same thing.

It's about people.

Making your guests feel welcome.

Making your speakers feel comfortable.

Making sure the audience feels included.

Keeping the event running smoothly, while creating space for the unexpected moments that make live events memorable.

And, when there's an important fundraising goal, helping bring the room together behind it.

My experience as a TV presenter, interviewer and professional event host means I'm comfortable moving between different formats, personalities and audiences — from interviewing high-profile guests to hosting lively panels, awards presentations and fundraising activities.

And I genuinely love every minute of it.

Looking for a corporate event MC or charity event host in London?

I'm Kathryn B Wilson, a professional event host, MC, panel moderator and TV presenter, based just outside London and working across the UK and internationally.

I host corporate conferences, business lunches, charity fundraising events, awards ceremonies, panel discussions and live interviews — bringing warmth, professionalism and plenty of energy to every stage.

If you're planning an event and looking for an experienced MC who can bring your audience together, keep the atmosphere engaging and help make your occasion memorable, I'd love to hear from you.

Explore my event hosting and MC work

Visit The Ireland Funds Great Britain's official event recap

Big on people. Bigger on energy.

Mc for corporate event in London - Kathryn B Wilson