Inside Totem

Ivan studied Visual Arts and has a background in Digital Media and web. He previously worked making digital infographics, designs and web projects for different clients, including international news agencies. He relocated to London to complete an MBA before joining the company. Ivan likes to be involved in different types of projects. He enjoys diversity across the world of Digital Media to the point of developing different personalities. He has an alter ego known as “The Baron”, a Father Christmas / Santa Claus type character who brings breakfast treats to the office on Fridays and also plays loud music in the evenings. He ate a triple hamburger once while watching an 80s Horror Film Marathon.

Anna is a project manager motivated by delivering excellent platform improvements, streamlining processes and solving problems. She brings broad project and continuous improvement experience in logistics and employee engagement. Having moved from Australia, she spends her time finding London’s best bakeries and restaurants, travelling Europe, hiking around the UK countryside and seeking any sun she can find.

Sam has worked in the events sector for over a decade, co-ordinating and managing events in locations around the world including Singapore, Rome, New York and Birmingham. As Managing Director of Totem, she is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the business, delivering excellent services to our exceptional range of clients. In her spare time, Sam loves watching F1 and pretending Swindon’s ‘magic roundabout’ is in fact Eau Rouge.

Pallavi is a quality assurance specialist with a sharp eye for detail and a passion for elevating applications. A firm believer in continuous improvement, she integrates quality benchmarks into every project to ensure the best possible user experience. Outside of Totem, Pallavi enjoys dancing, experimenting with new recipes, and creating meaningful memories. Though based away from home, she stays closely connected with her family and friends in India, holding strong to the values that shape her both personally and professionally.

Christopher Bo Shields is a pivotal figure in the events and marketing technology space, leveraging his extensive experience to co-found and grow Totem into an award-winning, innovative platform. His journey from theatre technician to tech entrepreneur reflects a blend of creative and technical expertise, underpinned by a commitment to solving real-world problems for the events industry. Through Totem, Shields has not only adapted to a post-pandemic world but also set a new standard for how events can engage audiences, prioritise sustainability, and harness data—all while staying true to his roots in audience connection and industry collaboration.

Alex Hughes is the Co-founder of Totem Hybrid Events, a cutting-edge platform revolutionizing virtual and hybrid events. With more than 20 years of experience in digital media, he has led creative teams at notable companies like Deepend, ITV Network, and MTV Networks Europe. His past projects include building the early online presence for itv.com and developing interactive TV experiences for high-profile events such as The Brit Awards and Survivor. Before Totem, Alex co-founded Amigo Digital, which has since evolved into Create, the in-house creative agency of the Totem group, bolstered by a significant investment from Informa PLC. Passionate about pushing the boundaries of event technology, Alex brings a dynamic energy to his work, complemented by his love for snowboarding and surfing in his spare time.

Rex is a front-end developer with over nine years of experience building web and mobile apps. He launched his first App Store app at the age of thirteen. Drawing on his strong background in UI design, a keen eye for user experience, and a lot of caffeine, he ensures Totem delivers one of the most user-friendly B2B event apps. Among his credentials, Rex is also the winner of Totem’s Caffeine Connoisseur Award.

Dom is a software engineer with over nine years of experience. He has been building websites and mobile apps since the tender age of twelve. His exploratory spirit and curiosity about different cultures have led him to live in America, Taiwan, and Tokyo. Now based in the UK, he continues to learn new languages and plays football when he’s not coding.

Richard’s experience is in graphic design, video and events. He enjoys ‘thinky’ creative tasks with colleagues and long romantic walks to the fridge without them. He likes colouring in, staying in the lines and sometimes making doodles move. He does this for business and for pleasure, sometimes even at the same time whilst making Mexican food.

Grace joined Totem as Admin Assistant Intern after finishing Sixth Form. She is rapidly learning, booking travel for the team, assisting with event planning tasks, and managing office operations. Outside of Totem, Grace enjoys concerts, dancing and spending time with friends. She’s also a film buff and indulges in movie marathons.

A traveller with a passion for learning and getting to know different cultures. Food is her second language and she is a time-traveller when it comes to music. Her environment is the Mediterranean Sea, offering a special connection with her creativity. Some of her favourite things about working at Totem are using her creative skills to offer support for all things platform, finding creative solutions to help clients, and being the bridge between teams to provide a better user experience.

Alvaro is a senior designer who works with 2D and 3D animations for bespoke AV installations and large-format MediaWalls. He also works as an editor and with onsite camera work covering events, filming sessions and interviews. He loves animals, music and tapas at all times of the day.