Lorraine Milligan
Wargrave,Berkshire
Summary
I'm a dynamic, creative professional, with extensive experience in the arts, entertainment and corporate sectors. I've proven ability as a respectful team player and competent team leader, managing projects from concept to completion, maintaining composure and productivity, adhering to strict time frames. I work with a calm aura and high level of competency. I practise strong interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration with talent and VIP's ensuring discretion and exceptional client experience. I pride myself on versatility and I'm capable of excelling in a variety of roles, with confidence and style.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work history
Event Support & Host
ArrangeMy/TD SYNNEX & MDQ Events
London and Home Counties
2022.01 - Current
- Host and on site operations contact, between the client and venue manager, for conferences, business lunches and lectures, in high-end hotels, restaurants and venues.
- Greet and direct visitors, creating positive and welcoming first impressions, registration, place settings and badges, execute client requests, oversee dinner service, assist guests with special dietary requests, check budgets are adhered to and confidently represent, and communicate back to the event coordinator.
- Ensured guest satisfaction by providing excellent customer service.
- Created memorable customer experiences through attentive, responsive service.
- Well presented and articulate, representing the brand with professionalism, confidence, warmth and keen social skills.
Co Founder & Creative - The Vision Sisters
Freelance Portrait Photographer
Reading, Berkshire
2018.03 - Current
- Original Founder in 2018, becoming a Partnership as The Vision Sisters, in 2025.
- Hair, makeup, styling and photography services, offering clients image and personal branding packages and portraiture, for social media and website content.
- Specialising in using natural light to create cinematic and fashion-led images.
- Design client’s personal brand from concept to the finished images.
- Follow and execute a client’s bespoke brief, guided by our detailed questionnaire, design consultation and creative insights.
- Authentic, honest imagery, with minimal editing.
- Championed by Grays of Westminster, Nikon Owner Magazine, and Amateur Photographer publication.
Hair & Makeup Artist & Designer
Freelance Hair and Makeup Artist
Worldwide , Worldwide
2003.11 - Current
- Hair and makeup artist, designer and stylist with over 23 years of experience within TV, Celebrity, Fashion, Beauty, Music, Wedding and private clientele.
- Follow briefs and design with intuition and perfection in the art of makeup, instilling confidence by enhancing appearances, delivering a luxury experience.
- Keep up with the latest trends and work confidently with all ethnicities/ages.
- Work calmly and efficiently under pressure, adhering to time frames and creating precise schedules. Create a calming and relaxed aura, communicated frequently in online reviews and recommendations.
- Work closely with celebrities and VIPs. Confidentiality and discretion is paramount.
- Guest tutor at The London School of Beauty and Makeup, over the period of a year, facilitating large classes of International makeup students, within the final module of their 'high fashion' makeup course.
- Follow latest industry trends, ensuring contemporary styles for all clients.
- Travel internationally to provide professional makeup and hair services.
- Maintain strict hygiene standards, ensuring clean tools and work environment at all times.
- Collaborated with photographers and art directors, to produce desired visuals for shoots.
- Utilise high-quality professional grade products, delivering long-lasting results for clients.
- Enhanced clients' natural beauty with skilled application of cosmetic products.
- Demonstrate excellent knowledge of colour theory, implementing this in bespoke makeup creation.
- Conduct masterclasses, sharing expertise in hair styling and makeup techniques.
- Create stunning, bespoke looks for wedding parties and private clients by expertly applying makeup and styling hair.
- Work under pressure in fast-paced environments, whilst maintaining quality and finish.
- Facilitate smooth operations on set through effective communication with other departments.
- Work with design teams to achieve continuity of hair and make-up.
- Develop unique aesthetic concepts for editorial photoshoots by analysing themes and creative briefs.
- Cultivate a loyal client base through exceptional customer service and attention to detail.
- Evaluated client's skin tone, texture and condition to ascertain suitable products for desired looks.
- Clean and maintain make-up tools in alignment with sanitary practices.
- Advise clients on suitable products and treatments to recreate looks at home, providing a personal shopping experience ands makeup MOT.
- Apply colour theory principles to create colour palettes based on skin tone and desired look.
- Make detailed notes and photographs of work, to retain up-to-date copies for reference.
- Develop fresh and creative beauty techniques to match changing industry trends.
FOH and Assistant Manager Team
Nomadic Experiences
Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire
2025.04 - 2026.04
- Welcomed guests into the unique woodland, intimate, immersive dining space, creating a warm atmosphere from arrival.
- Set and style tables with rustic tablescape, reflecting seasonal and aesthetic vision.
- Build the rustic bar and run the bar service, crafting cocktails with attention to balance and presentation.
- Introduced guests to menu and drinks, sharing stories behind each element.
- Supported service flow, ensuring attentive and timely experience for each table.
- Collaborated with chefs and service team to maintain calm rhythm throughout event.
- Responded to guest needs, preserving atmosphere during live event.
- Helped transform space, through setup and breakdown, adapting to changing seasons.
Golden Experience Host
Golden Experience Host – Lapland UK
Ascot, Berkshire
2024.10 - 2025.12
- Confidently hosted VIP and celebrity guests, from arrival to departure.
- Provided a warm welcome creating positive first impressions, and facilitating private check-in, setting the scene.
- Engaged confidently with guests in role, to maintain an immersive and luxury atmosphere, using Lapland language and terminology.
- Took orders and served refreshments, without guests having to queue.
- Led guests down secret, private pathways to the front row of shows, and guided families through themed environments, ensuring smooth transitions between experiences.
- Prepared and hosted exclusive, private dining.
- Assisted guests with special dietary requests, ensuring their comfort and safety.
- Acted as a tour guide around the Elven Village, with charisma, charm and grace.
- Coordinated details and enchanting visits to Father Christmas.
- Captured photographic memories throughout the experience and presented mounted copies and gifts to the guests, on exit.
- Escorted guests to their transport, wrapping up their experience with care.
- Ensured guest satisfaction by providing excellent customer service.
- Helped deliver an enchanting, world class experience.
Wedding Specialist, Coordinator
The Elvetham Hotel, Hartley Wintney
Hampshire
2024.01 - 2024.07
- The full-time Wedding Coordinator in the Wedding Office.
- Managed the full process, from initial enquiry to the Wedding day.
- Meticulously quoted, contracted, and administered all details for the event.
- Designed and communicated every element of the hire.
- Built and allocated revenue for the venue.
- Delivered fully operational function sheets and table plans to the Operations team.
- Handled all administration, finance, reservations, C&B, F&B, menus, styling and host responsibilities.
- Coordinated recommended and trusted suppliers and dealt with purchase orders and invoices.
- Built rapport and created a memorable and positive experience, for guests and their families.
- Received heartwarming, positive reviews from guests.
Guest Feature Writer
Amateur Photographer Magazine
Reading, Reading
2019.09 - 2021.11
- Created commissioned features on photography and subjects that involve styling knowledge.
Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher
Freelance Dancer & Choreographer
Reading, Worldwide
1992.01 - 2004.06
- Performed within variety, celebrity and commercial dance sectors
- Supported choreography and direction for own dance troupe represented by Trends of London agency
- Taught street dance at Shiplake College for three years
- Facilitated advanced tap classes for Bracknell & Wokingham Adult Education Centre
- Participated as a costume character with Rainbow Productions for shows and corporate events
- Equity member
Deputy General Manager, Reception Manager
Deputy General Manager, Reception Manager
Henley on Thames
2000.01 - 2003.03
- Reception Manager and head of merchandise, Deputy General Manager role
- Provided support for the Membership team and conducted tours
- Qualified and served as the outdoor swimming pool plant coordinator
- Organised reception rosters and conducted staff recruitment and training
- Confidently dealt with customer queries
- Taught dance on the studio timetable
- Responsible for opening and locking up the club
- Ensured the club was clean and safe
- Utilised management and sales skills in daily roles
- Specialised in creative marketing
Receptionist, Administrator, Marketing
IRIS Software Group
Datchet
1996.01 - 1998.01
- Reception role and administrator cover
- Accepted zero hours contract in marketing department for flexible work options.
- Provided advice on in-house requirements for new Pivotel system database.
- Supported sales team members by offering assistance to 19 remote colleagues.
- Participated in off-site sales events to promote company visibility and client engagement.
Education
A Level 5 Passes - English Language, English Literature, Art, Contemporary Dance, Theatre Studies
The Henley College
Henley On Thames 09/1989 - 07/1991
RAD, ISTD, LAMDA - Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz Singing & Drama
Jeannine Greville Dancing Academies
Henley On Thames 11/1975 - 09/1990
GCSE 10 Passes -
The Piggott School
Wargrave 09/1984 - 07/1989
RAD & Chichetti - Ballet
The Royal Ballet School
Barons Court, London 09/1980 - 09/1984
High Fashion Makeup - Makeup
Brushstroke, Shepperton Studios
Shepperton, Surrey 09/2003 - 12/2003
Timeline
FOH and Assistant Manager Team
Nomadic Experiences
2025.04 - 2026.04
Golden Experience Host
Golden Experience Host – Lapland UK
2024.10 - 2025.12
Wedding Specialist, Coordinator
The Elvetham Hotel, Hartley Wintney
2024.01 - 2024.07
Event Support & Host
ArrangeMy/TD SYNNEX & MDQ Events
2022.01 - Current
Guest Feature Writer
Amateur Photographer Magazine
2019.09 - 2021.11
Co Founder & Creative - The Vision Sisters
Freelance Portrait Photographer
2018.03 - Current
Hair & Makeup Artist & Designer
Freelance Hair and Makeup Artist
2003.11 - Current
Deputy General Manager, Reception Manager
Deputy General Manager, Reception Manager
2000.01 - 2003.03
Receptionist, Administrator, Marketing
IRIS Software Group
1996.01 - 1998.01
Dancer, Choreographer and Teacher
Freelance Dancer & Choreographer
1992.01 - 2004.06
A Level 5 Passes - English Language, English Literature, Art, Contemporary Dance, Theatre Studies
The Henley College
09/1989 - 07/1991
RAD, ISTD, LAMDA - Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz Singing & Drama
Jeannine Greville Dancing Academies
11/1975 - 09/1990
GCSE 10 Passes -
The Piggott School
09/1984 - 07/1989
RAD & Chichetti - Ballet
The Royal Ballet School
09/1980 - 09/1984
High Fashion Makeup - Makeup
Brushstroke, Shepperton Studios
09/2003 - 12/2003