Corporate events take many forms, often serving different functions: launching a new brand or product; a company awards night; a seminar; a staff event; hosting a core sponsor or simply entertaining a benefactor. Yet all have one aspect in common – they are staged to enrich your business, by promoting, celebrating or launching something and to make you stand out from the crowd.

We teamed up with Derek Oliver, a professional magician, event host and SEP member to discuss the benefits of engaging a magician for a corporate event and to find out more about him and his business.

“I’ve performed at all manner of events for all types of audiences; some purely to entertain an assembled group of guests; others as a novel and memorable way to promote a message or product.” Derek said. “Magical entertainment at weddings is commonplace in the UK, not so in the US. Yet magic at corporate events is popular the world over, so it’s worth understanding its benefits to businesses and the events they stage.”

“I’ve often been asked to provide entertainment at a drink’s reception whilst guests await a gala dinner; or to entertain guests at their table between courses or perform a show as part of a celebratory awards night. I’ve even used magic in team building events or staff training to inject a novel way to impart a message. Yet the thing they all have in common is engaging people and the lasting effect it has on them”.

But it’s not all about the tricks. Yes, they are the ‘wow’ factor, but a skilled magician will be an excellent communicator with great interpersonal skills with interactions that are punctuated by powerful and visual magic bringing enjoyment and astonishment – and an appreciation that your company values their guests and delegates. And of course, don’t forget photography, with images snapped and pictures captured of fun, surprise and delight that will quickly appear on social media promoting your business.

So, next time you’re planning a corporate event, whatever the focus, consider adding a little magic to the mix. As American Civil Rights activist Maya Angelou said: “people will forget what you said; people forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel”.

If a magician can make people feel special about you and your corporate event, then you have gone a long way to stand out from the crowd.

At SEP, we love to showcase our members, giving an insight to them and their business.

Derek’s story is an inspiration to everyone who wants to follow their dream or consider a second career later in life. For over 40 years Derek worked in community care and local government, initially supporting people with a learning disability and culminating in being Deputy Director of Adult Social Services for the largest partnership of London Boroughs. Derek has run a care home, managed multiple care homes, helped close outdated care facilities and opened new ones, manged multi-million-pound budgets, been the adult safeguarding lead for London and was at the forefront of the Covid response in 2020. But in 2022, he decided to call time on that career, taking early retirement and following his dream to start his own business and become a professional magician. “Leaving behind what I knew best was hard, but the excitement of a new challenge, turning my passion into something others could enjoy was compelling. I’d always performed magic as a hobby from a very young age. I passed my exam to become a Member of the Magic Circle in 2015 so that had always inspired me to do more, and when I ended my long-term career, what better opportunity to capitalise on my dream. I’ve since become an Associate Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star (not quite Dumbledore but a bit better than Hagrid!).” Derek holds other magic related accreditations, all gained since starting his magic business and was recently made a Presidential Ambassador for The Magic Circle – one of only five. He has developed his business and subsequently performed at numerous events, weddings and parties including the Royal Variety Performance After-Show party (three times), Sandhurst Military Academy and travelled to many cities in the US to learn and share magic.

He has diversified into an accomplished Master of Ceremonies and has now hosted (and performed at) numerous weddings, corporate events and awards ceremonies. By combining magic with event hosting, demand for his services is increasing. “I’ve met many wonderful people: prospective brides and grooms, event planners and members of the public. Yes, the entertainment is important, but spending time and showing a genuine interest in people is what I enjoy; throw in some tricks and it is magical – for me too! I love being a Master of Ceremonies as well, helping turn events into exceptional occasions. But take it from me, if you have a dream and you can – follow it!”   

Derek joined SEP in 2024 and became part of our SEP family, making numerous connections and friendships. He is available as either a magician or event host or both. You can find out more at www.derekolivermagic.co.uk or contact Derek on derek@derekolivermagic.co.uk or via our SEP supplier page on our website

Derek Oliver is a Professional Master of Ceremonies and Magician, a member of The Professional Master of Ceremonies Association, Equity and an Associate Member of the Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star. To find out more email derek@derekolivermagic.co.uk or contact me HERE

Surrey Event Professionals is an event based networking collective of suppliers from the event and wedding industry. To find out more visit www.surreyeventprofessionals.com

© Derek Oliver Magic & Surrey Event Professionals 2025