AEV announces new safeguarding partnership with X2Consult Ltd.

The Association of Event Venues (AEV) has, today, announced a new safeguarding partnership with X2Consult Ltd for 2026.

A specialist safeguarding and child protection consultancy supporting the events industry across the UK and Europe, X2Consult Ltd operates at both strategic and operational levels to ensure safeguarding is embedded, proportionate and effective within complex live environments.

Alden Arnold, head of commercial & projects, AEV, said, “We’re delighted X2Consult has joined as our AEV safeguarding partner, their knowledge and expertise will be extremely helpful in guiding our members to strengthen their safeguarding culture fostering a safer, inclusive and well-governed member venue experience.”

X2Consult delivers end-to-end safeguarding, supporting venues and events from planning safeguarding strategy and governance, event-specific safeguarding plans, risk and vulnerability assessments, through to policy development, staff and contractor training, incident response frameworks and post-event assessment and evaluation.

Thomas Stead, managing director & safeguarding consultant, X2Consult, said, “We’re genuinely excited to be working alongside the Association of Event Venues as their partnered safeguarding consultant. Having supported a wide range of venues and events across the UK and Europe, this partnership gives us the opportunity to raise awareness, share best practice and help set the bar for safeguarding across the sector. Working with AEV allows us to bring proven, practical safeguarding approaches to its wider portfolio of venues, supporting safer, more confident and more consistent event delivery for everyone involved.”

Arnold added, “X2Consult ensure safeguarding standards are actively managed rather than simply documented. Their ability to concisely translate statutory guidance into practical systems aligning with all elements of event management will prove essential to our member venues and we look forward to working with them.”