Fun and games with Theme Traders

In fact, you have probably watched something on TV this week that belongs to Theme Traders. Clients range from Emmerdale to X Factor.

Theme Traders has come a long way since it launched in 1989.

The brainchild of former children's entertainer David Jamilly and his sister Kim Einhorn, the firm now employs 30 full time staff and has a fleet of 12 vehicles. During the peak season there can be up to 150 additional contractors working on up to 50 events in one day. Its team of friendly and hard-working drivers deliver anywhere around Europe and the UK, either from the North West London headquarters or the Edinburgh office.

Jamilly, who appeared on Secret Millionaire in 2010, also founded Pod Charitable Trust for children in hospital in 1988. It now holds 2000 parties a year in children's hospital wards and hospices throughout the United Kingdom.

As he prepares for a hectic year, the successful entrepreneur reveals what Londoners want from a party...

What inspired you to set up Theme Traders?
We saw a gap in the market! At the time, no-one else was offering a 'one-stop' Party Planning and Event Management business which had the facilities and expertise to provide bespoke props to the highest standard, experienced Project Managers, extensive Costume Workshops, innovative Design Teams, and reliable Crewing and Logistics.

Did you initially envisage it growing into such a big company?
Theme Traders just grew and grew organically. We were led by a marketplace with increased spending power and increased leisure time.

What is the most memorable party you have worked on?
Over the years, Theme Traders has worked for many of the household global brands, numerous 'A list' celebrities and three of the five richest people in the world. A personal highlight of mine was being involved with (not organising) a party in the grounds of Buckingham Palace for the Queen's 80th Birthday Party.

However, in reality, each party is the 'most memorable' as every client and each single occasion is different; the bespoke parties we plan reflect this. To be a good party planner your total focus should be on the 'now' - the 'now' of the client's particular expectations, the 'now' of current trends and fashions, the 'now' of just being in the moment!

Could you briefly describe what the party planning process entails?
99% of the party planning process is behind the scenes. A large event can run up to 12 Arch Levers of back-up files and up to 50 people can be involved in the design, management, set-up and staging.

Is there a particular theme that is popular with Londoners?
This year everyone wants London and Olympic themed events, although there are various derivatives. To give you an example, people are tying in the Olympics to the Royal Jubilee, East End London and Ancient Greece but the possibilities are endless!

In preparation, our Props Department have worked tirelessly to create everything from 8 foot Olympic torches to scaled-down fronts of London buses, with everything you can imagine in-between. We expect a very busy season.

What kind of TV clients do you have?
Recently we appeared on the Hairy Bikers' Christmas special and Celebrity Wedding Planner, both of which were fantastic fun. We also supply and build props for The One Show, the X-Factor and Strictly Come Dancing amongst many others.

What is the most bizarre prop in your office?
In our Projects Office we have spitting image style torsos of Pavarotti and Pope Paul II sitting at the two empty desks.

Could you tell us a little about your charitable projects?
I'm very excited about the national Kindness Survey we've just launched on www.kindnessuk.com(fill it in - it's fun). The aim of the survey is to further understand trends and perceptions of 'kindness' within the bigger aim of promoting, sharing and uniting kindness. Kindness can sound so 'fluffy', but if we all practised a little more kindness towards ourselves, others, animals, nature and the environment, it would make the world of difference.

Also, Pod Children's Charity, who bring magic and laughter to sick children in hospital, has now attained 85% coverage of all hospitals in the UK. That's a huge achievement considering it all started when my sister and I visited Great Ormond Street Hospital dressed as 'Spaceman Sam' and the 'Red Elephant' over 30 years ago.

Are you still in touch with the Secret Millionaire charities?
I have made about 50 trips back to Redcar since filming the program nearly two years ago - I continue to take energy and inspiration from the people of Teesside who have such strength of spirit and tenacity. I'm still patron to four charities in Redcar was recently honoured to open the NHS Redcar Primary Health Hospital amongst others.

What would be your top tip for Londoners planning parties in 2012?
My top tip is to book early - be it the venue, the party planning services or the performers.

For more information visit or to book a party visit www.themetraders.com