Event Host London: From Integrated School Pupil to Hosting at the House of Lords
From the classrooms of Belfast to the House of Lords in London.
If you'd told five-year-old me, starting my first day at an Integrated primary school in Northern Ireland, that one day I'd be standing in the House of Lords hosting an event celebrating the future of Integrated Education, I'm not entirely sure I'd have believed you.
But here we are!
In June 2026, I had the enormous pleasure of being the event host and MC for the Integrated Education Fund's launch of its new Strategic Vision at the House of Lords in London.
And while I've hosted events in some pretty extraordinary places over the years, this one felt particularly personal.
Because I'm not just a presenter who works with the Integrated Education Fund.
I'm a child of Integrated Education myself.
From Forge Integrated Primary School to Lagan College
I grew up in Northern Ireland and attended Forge Integrated Primary School from the age of five to eleven, before moving to Lagan College from eleven to seventeen.
Two schools that helped shape the person I am today.
And two schools with a pretty remarkable place in Northern Ireland's history.
Forge was one of the country's first Integrated primary schools, while Lagan College, founded in 1981, was Northern Ireland's first planned Integrated post-primary school.
The idea behind Integrated Education is beautifully simple: children from different religious, cultural and social backgrounds learning together, side by side.
For me, that was just school.
Different backgrounds, different experiences, different perspectives. All part of everyday life.
And looking back, I can see how much that environment influenced the way I approach people and conversations today.
As a TV presenter and event host, so much of my job is about bringing people together, listening to different perspectives and making everyone feel included.
Funny how things come full circle.
Hosting the Integrated Education Fund at the House of Lords
Fast-forward to June 2026, and I found myself standing in the House of Lords in London, microphone in hand, hosting the launch of the Integrated Education Fund's Strategic Vision for 2026–2030.
The strategy, titled Unmet Demand: Time to Close the Gap, sets out the charity's ambitions for the next five years, with a focus on increasing opportunities for families who want an Integrated Education for their children.
The event brought together supporters, donors, former pupils, business leaders and people working to support the future of education in Northern Ireland.
Among those involved were Lord Dubs, IEF Chief Executive Paul Caskey OBE, Chair Peter Osborne and businessman David Montgomery.
My role as MC was to introduce speakers, facilitate conversations around the charity's plans for the coming years and help guide the evening in a way that felt warm, engaging and accessible.
And that's something I always try to bring to live events.
Because even when the subject is serious and the setting is prestigious, the conversation doesn't need to feel stiff.
A great event host should help people feel comfortable, connected and part of what's happening.
And when the subject is something you genuinely care about, that connection comes very naturally.
A cause that's been part of my life for years
My relationship with the Integrated Education Fund goes beyond one event.
Over the years, I've had the pleasure of supporting the charity through live event hosting, presenting and video work.
I've even taken my TV presenting skills outside Parliament to film content supporting the Fund and the work it does.
It's one of the things I love about having a career that moves between broadcasting and live events.
Sometimes I'm on stage introducing speakers and facilitating conversations.
Other times I'm speaking directly to camera, helping communicate a message to an audience who might be watching online.
Different formats, but the same goal: to connect with people and help tell a story that matters.
And when it's a cause that's been part of your own life since childhood, it's particularly rewarding to be able to use those skills to support it.
Celebrating Integrated Education at Belfast City Hall
The House of Lords wasn't the first time I'd had the pleasure of hosting for the charity.
In June 2025, I also hosted the Integrated Education Fund's Summer Afternoon Tea at Belfast City Hall.
Held in the beautiful Grand Ballroom, the event brought together supporters, teachers, pupils and guests to celebrate the achievements of Integrated Education.
Among those attending were Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Fleur Anderson MP and the High Sheriff of Belfast, Councillor Fiona McAteer.
There were performances from young people, stories from schools and an opportunity to recognise the work being done to support Integrated Education across Northern Ireland.
And I particularly loved that the Lagan College Trad Band performed at the event.
My old school!
It was one of those lovely moments where my personal history and professional life met.
The IEF's official article about the celebration even features a photograph of me hosting the afternoon.
Why hosting events with a purpose matters to me
I've been lucky enough to host conferences, corporate events, interviews and panel discussions across London, the UK and internationally.
And I love the variety.
But there's something particularly rewarding about working with an organisation whose mission you genuinely understand.
When you're hosting a charity event, a fundraising occasion or a launch built around an important cause, your role goes beyond simply keeping the programme running.
You're helping connect the audience with the people, stories and purpose behind the event.
You're introducing speakers in a way that gives their contributions meaning.
You're creating space for important conversations.
And you're making sure people leave feeling informed, included and, hopefully, inspired.
My broadcasting background has taught me the importance of listening, asking the right questions and knowing when to let somebody else's story take centre stage.
And my years working as a professional MC have taught me how to bring warmth, clarity and energy to a room, whatever the occasion.
For me, the two go hand in hand.
From Belfast to London — bringing people together
There's something quite special about looking back at where your journey began.
From being a pupil at Forge Integrated Primary School and Lagan College to standing in the House of Lords hosting an event about the future of Integrated Education.
I feel very fortunate to have had that full-circle moment.
And I'm equally grateful to have built a career where I can use my voice, presenting experience and love of people to support organisations and causes that matter.
Whether I'm hosting a major corporate conference, moderating a panel, interviewing a high-profile guest or presenting a charity event, the thing I enjoy most remains the same.
Bringing people together and making everyone feel part of the conversation.
Looking for an event host or MC 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, charity events, fundraising occasions, awards ceremonies, panel discussions and live interviews, bringing warmth, professionalism and plenty of energy to every stage.
And whether your event is about celebrating achievements, sharing an important message or bringing people together around a cause, I'd love to help make it memorable.
Explore my Event Host & MC work
Learn more about the Integrated Education Fund
Big on people. Bigger on energy.