Hackney People
Nick Ede
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Named as one of the top 100 most influential people in events and PR, Nick Ede believes in working hard and being a nice guy. As well as running a busy PR agency, it’s possible you’ve seen Nick in a range of TV presenting roles. Born in Edinburgh, he knew from an early age what he wanted to do. |
“I always dreamed of living in London,” he says. And in 1996 that’s exactly what he did. Helped out by his scientist father and teacher and musician mother, Nick set off for the bright lights of the big city with two month’s rent in his pocket.
He settled in Stoke Newington, but in 1997 his mother died from a stroke on the same day as Princess Diana. “I felt I wasn’t allowed to grieve for my mum, as the nation was in mourning,” Nick explains.
He left London to be near his dad and older brother in Edinburgh and stayed there for a year to bring himself ‘back to life’. Then he returned to East London to visit a friend, and decided to stay on – a moment in his life that he describes as the ‘turning point’.
Taking his mother’s last words, ‘be true to yourself’, as his motivation, Nick set out to raise awareness and honour her memory by doing what he does best. He organised a charity event to support the Stroke Association.
While planning the big night, Nick bumped into EastEnders actress Pasty Palmer and asked her to come along. Another day saw a chance encounter with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
Both showed their support by turning up, and the event – now an annual bash – was a major career boost for Nick. He then moved to Kingsland Road and got a job with lastminute.com where he was in charge of promoting entertainment, but left to pursue his dream of working in TV.
For six months he was an unpaid runner for Shine Television. Nick says of the time: “I had no money and was a runner 10 years older than everybody else.”
In 2004, he got a break co-hosting the Russell Grant Show on Sky One. It was then he realised his vocation.
“I found myself styling for celebrities and I became a lifestyle expert,” he said.
In 2005, he set up Eden Lifestyle, which later became EdenCancan, following a merger with Cancan Communications in 2006.
The business took off after actress and model Jennifer Ellison asked Nick to throw a party for her around the time she was entering ITV’s Hell’s Kitchen. The party received massive coverage in OK magazine, and Nick hasn’t looked back.
Since his first move to London, Nick has always been drawn back to Hackney. He has now settled near Broadway Market, and says: “I love the history, fashion and interesting places to go.”
The last few years have seen Nick take on a series of presenting roles, and he dedicates one day a week to TV. He is currently working on a jewellery line and also has plans to write a book.
But he still finds time to relax in the borough.
“Some of my favourite haunts include the Geffrye Museum on Kingsland Road; a walk through London Fields; and the Lido.
There are open spaces that I never imagined existed.
“I also spend half my time – and salary – in the Cat and Mutton on Broadway Market.”
Curriculum Vitae
- 1974 Born, Edinburgh
- 1980-91 Student at Edinburgh Academy
- 1991-92 Foundation course at Glasgow School of Art
- 1999-95 Bretton Hall University, Degree in Theatre
- 1998 Set up A Night With Nick – an annual charity event to increase awareness of people who have suffered strokes
- 2000 Head of Lifestyle at lastminute.com
- 2004 Co-host of the Russell Grant Show on Sky One
- 2005 Set up Eden Lifestyle PR and events agency and continued to present on Taste, GMTV and CTV in Canada
- 2006 Merged with Cancan Communications to create EdenCancan
- 2007 Judge on Project Catwalk
- 2008 Mentor on Diet On The Dancefloor. EdenCancan nominated for PR Agency Of The Year
- 2009 Presenter on Market Kitchen & named in the top 100 most influential people in PR and events
More information
To find out how you can support stroke victims visit: www.stroke.org.uk
Page updated: 15 Jun 2010
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