Caroline Medcalf
Chief Operations OfficerSince joining XSEM as Chief Operating Officer in January 2024, Caroline Medcalf has brought more than three decades of experience in hospitality, events and leadership. She combines strategic vision with operational expertise, helping clients achieve meaningful outcomes while fostering a culture where people can grow, thrive and succeed.
- More than 30 years of experience across hospitality, events, business leadership and operational management.
- Specialist expertise in event strategy, operational leadership and building high-performing teams.
- Passionate about understanding client objectives and delivering measurable event outcomes through strong strategy, culture and collaboration.
Bio & notable achievements
Caroline Medcalf is Chief Operating Officer at XSEM and brings more than 30 years of experience spanning hospitality, events, operations and leadership. Having entered the industry in 1994 and joined XSEM in January 2024, she combines strategic thinking with extensive operational expertise to help drive the continued growth and success of the business.
In her role as COO, Caroline works across the organisation to ensure exceptional experiences are delivered for clients while creating an environment where people can develop, perform at their best and enjoy what they do. She is passionate about understanding what success looks like for each client and building the right strategy, team and culture to achieve it. Her approach is centred on strong relationships, clear objectives and empowering people to take ownership and deliver outstanding results.
Throughout her career, Caroline has held senior leadership positions across the industry and is widely recognised for her expertise in event strategy, operational leadership and people development. She believes that the most successful projects are those that align commercial objectives with meaningful audience engagement, creating experiences that deliver measurable impact while strengthening client relationships and business outcomes.
Outside of XSEM
Outside of work, Caroline has a strong interest in personal growth, leadership, psychology and wellbeing, and is fascinated by understanding what helps people perform at their best both professionally and personally. She enjoys continuous learning through reading, mentoring and exploring different perspectives on leadership and human behaviour. Regular yoga classes, particularly those incorporating mindfulness, help her unwind and maintain balance.
When she’s looking to switch off completely, Caroline can often be found borrowing a friend’s dog and heading out for long walks in the Yorkshire countryside. She also enjoys spending quality time with friends over a glass or two of rosé and loves bringing people together around the table, often hosting generous Sunday lunches for her children, extended family and friends. Creating meaningful connections, whether at work or at home, is something she values deeply.
