Inside Totem

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.

Jasmine has a passion for editing, filming and live streaming and has been that way since college. Working previously with a live news station, where she edited and live streamed content. When not editing she likes to play games, arcade games and consoles alike. She is a Nintendo Girl at heart, when she isn’t editing or playing games, she reads fantasy novels like Terry Pratchett and draws. But most importantly she loves the Legend of Zelda and is currently collecting all the games!

David is a commercially driven and hands-on financial lead for Totem. Over 10 years post-qualification experience. During which he has mostly worked across different creative industries, most recently Film and Television. Now he really loves the hybrid of digital technology and creative process that Totem embodies. David enjoys getting involved in all areas of finance and accounting, considered a jack of all trades, (and self-proclaimed) master of all.

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.

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.

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.

Tom has a passion for design and branding and enjoys devising interesting ways to connect brands with consumers. In his spare time, he creates music, attempts to write comedy and plays a lot of video games. At the age of 8 he received a Bronze swimming certificate, which isn’t that impressive to be honest.

Anna is a product designer specialising in design systems, with a background in front-end engineering. Passionate about accessibility, she strives to create inclusive experiences. As she sadly does not live in a modernised L. M. Montgomery novel, she settles for reading books for her book club, hosting arts and crafts evenings, and observing corvids in her free time.

Herbie joined Totem as Platform Delivery Intern. With a background in customer service and hospitality, he brings a proactive mindset and is always keen to go the extra mile for clients and projects. Outside of Totem, you’ll find Herbie mixing music, watching football, or trying to teach himself Spanish — ¡Qué bien!

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.

Before joining Totem Harvey worked in the Offshore Recruitment Industry specialising in underwater drones. An experienced Account Manager he has a passion for people, technology and creativity. As a natural problem solver, he enjoys taking an ‘outside the box’ approach to collaborating with clients, with the goal of exceeding expectations to ensure the ultimate success of their projects. When not working, Harvey will mostly likely be found out with friends, at gigs/festivals, or trying not to (but mostly) falling over in skateparks across South London.

Chloe has a passion for creativity. A Fine Art, Film and Television production graduate, she is developing graphic design, editing and live-streaming skills at Totem. Chloe learns new skills every day. When not working at Totem, you will find her crocheting, painting, beekiping or trying out new hobbies.