In this episode of Events That Made Me, Liz Taylor sits down with fellow events industry veteran, and friendly rival, Julian Posner, Founder and CEO of special event and production company Banana Split.

With almost 40 years of knowing each other, plenty of mutual respect and more than a few pitches along the way, there’s a lot to talk about.

Julian takes Liz right back to the beginning: becoming a DJ at just 14, saving £500 to buy his first equipment and discovering how the rather unforgettable name Banana Split came about.

From there, things get considerably bigger.

He reveals how a Saudi prince’s 12th birthday party helped take the business to another level, including the small matter of being asked to “turn Balham into a spaceship”, and shares the story of stepping in to take over a multi-million-pound wedding in the South of France with only weeks to go.

There are extraordinary clients, ambitious briefs, big decisions and plenty of behind-the-scenes stories from two people who have spent their careers creating events at the very top of the industry.

But it’s also a conversation about what it really takes to build a business that lasts: trusting your instincts, taking risks, nurturing relationships and continuing to evolve in an industry where standing still simply isn’t an option.

Two events professionals. One industry they both still love.

And, unsurprisingly, plenty of stories to tell.