Kat Jordan is a Senior Project Manager in the Experiential team at The Leith Agency, with over a decade of global experience in event and production management.
Over the past six years at Leith, she’s worked across a range of high-profile campaigns for major brands – from TV adverts and stills shoots to launch events and retail activations – gaining a broad skillset along the way. Kat now focuses her expertise on The Macallan, bringing the brand to life through memorable and meaningful experiences. Here, she shares a recent week in her life…
Monday
I’m definitely a morning person – always up early with a coffee in hand, thinking through the week ahead. Mondays are work-from-home days for me, which means settling in at my desk overlooking the garden, keeping an eye on my dog Kiwi (a very cheeky Cavalier Spaniel)
playing in the rare Scottish sun.
What I love most about my role at Leith is how varied the work is – every day brings something new. One moment I’m deep in logistics, the next I’m working closely with our creatives to finesse the details of a live experience or reviewing floorplans for an upcoming retail activation.
There are a lot of moving parts—liaising with fabricators, briefing designers, keeping timelines in check—but that’s what keeps it interesting. I get to be involved from early ideas right through to seeing something come to life in the real world. It’s fast-paced, collaborative, and full of problem-solving, which really suits how I like to work.
I’ve recently fallen in love with The Productivity Method by Grace Beverley – if you know, you know! It’s been brilliant for carving out time for focused work, and has really helped protect both my schedule and my headspace, especially during the busier weeks like this one.
This week, my main focus is the redesign of a VIP guest space at The Macallan Estate. With the installation date fast approaching, it’s full steam ahead. Lots to coordinate, but I love these kinds of projects and I’m really excited to see it all come together!
Tuesday
I commute into Leith from the West of the city and always leave early to beat the traffic. A funny podcast – currently loving Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang” – sets the tone for the day. Catching the skyline in the soft pink morning light is a reminder of how grateful I am to live
and work here. Plus, early starts mean prime parking!
The office is already buzzing – even first thing on a Tuesday, there’s an energy that’s infectious. It’s a vibrant, creative space filled with people who genuinely enjoy what they do, and it shows.
My day kicks off with a full run of client meetings across a mix of projects, so I’m bouncing between meeting rooms, pods, and our Studio on the third floor. It’s non-stop but energising.
Lunchtime is yoga on the Leith barge – our very own little boat on the Water of Leith. It’s the perfect way to decompress and reset for the afternoon.
The second half of the day is spent working closely with our brilliant design team: Rob, Scott, and Carolina. The range of work is broad and exciting – everything from spatial design and visual identities to beautifully detailed invitations, menus, and bespoke gifting for high-
net-worth clients. The craft and care that goes into every detail are genuinely inspiring.
Wednesday
The alarm goes off early for a midweek trip north. Coffee in hand, I head for the train – four hours through Perthshire and into the Highlands. It’s a long journey, but I find it really calming watching the hills roll by, emails get answered, and there’s finally a bit of space to
think.
I’m on my way to The Macallan Estate. It’s one of those places that never loses its magic – 485 acres of quiet beauty tucked away in Speyside. I’m there to take some final measurements, check in on a new lighting installation we’ve looked after, and catch up with
our client in person.
Over the years, I’ve had the chance to work on some brilliant experiences with The Macallan team. From supporting brand partnerships with names like Bentley and Stella, and Mary McCartney, to travelling to Jerez to help deliver events for international media and influencers, it’s been a real mix. We were part of the team behind Distil Your World Mexico, which won an IPM award, but my personal highlight? Escorting a full 6-piece mariachi band around The Macallan Estate – definitely one for the memory bank. Each project brings something completely different, and it’s a real privilege to keep playing a part in this iconic brand’s story.
The return train is its own kind of workspace. No distractions, just a quiet carriage and a window view. I use the time to review concepts for the new VIP room – we’re presenting later this week, so it’s a good chance to tighten up the details before sharing it with the team.
Thursday
Off to Glasgow this morning to catch up with a long-time creative partner, someone who helps us take bold ideas off the page and into the real world. There’s always a post-site-visit buzz, and after being at The Macallan yesterday, I’ve got a few things I want to test out. In
their workshop, we explore materials, discuss fabrication techniques, and bounce around ideas. It’s a proper hands-on, collaborative session, brainstorming ways to push boundaries and bring our thinking to life in innovative and beautiful ways.
Sustainability is a big focus for us, and for our clients too. So, a key part of today’s session is reviewing eco-conscious materials and processes – whether that’s low-impact finishes, modular builds, or ways we can reuse and repurpose elements across multiple activations.
It’s something we’re hugely passionate about, and it’s great to work with partners who share that mindset.
It’s a relationship I really value, especially when working in a world of fast turnarounds and high expectations. Having partners who understand that and meet it with creativity, skill, and energy makes all the difference.
Friday
We kicked off the day with a client call to present the VIP room design concepts – great news: they were really happy, so we’ll move forward with 3D renders next week to keep the project rolling.
After that, it was time to chair Leith’s monthly Social Committee catch-up. We meet regularly to plan events at Leith – company culture is a big thing here, and there’s always something fun on the go. Our most recent outing was a cocktail night on the barge boat – Aperol Spritz in the sunshine was a big hit!
Now we’re turning our attention to planning the annual Sports Day (a Leith classic) and even locking in the Christmas party venue – you’ve got to be quick if you want the best spots in Edinburgh! All in all, a great way to end the week – happy clients, brilliant teammates, and plenty to look forward to.
