ABOUT:
OLIVIA rebecca horton
A Life Shaped by Different Worlds
Olivia's story has always crossed cultures, countries and communities. Growing up in Kenya gave her an early sense of independence, curiosity and connection to the world beyond one place. Her family life was equally international, with an Indonesian sister and a Filipino stepmother, shaping the way she understood identity, belonging and the importance of seeing people beyond the environments they come from. Those experiences gave Olivia a deep appreciation for community and for the different ways women move through the world. They also taught her that connection often begins with listening, understanding and creating spaces where people feel seen. That perspective has stayed with her throughout every chapter of her life.
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From the Stage to the World Beyond It
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Performance became one of Olivia's first great passions. She trained in dance from a young age, including time with the Royal Ballet School Junior Associates, The Hammond School and Laine Theatre Arts, before going on to study at Middlesex University. Her career later took her around the world, including performing for Disney in Hong Kong and Shanghai before becoming part of the Disney Events team in London. The stage taught her discipline, resilience and how to connect with people, but some of the most meaningful moments happened away from the spotlight. Working on experiences connected with Make-A-Wish showed Olivia how powerful a single moment can be when it is created with genuine intention. It reinforced something she would carry into her work years later: an experience can be beautiful, memorable and entertaining while still having a much deeper purpose.
Finding Purpose in Leadership
Olivia eventually moved from entertainment into the corporate world, building a career in executive leadership support, business operations and advocacy. Working closely with senior leaders gave her a very different perspective on influence. She saw how decisions are made, how organisations create change and how businesses can use their platforms, people and resources for something bigger than commercial success alone. Alongside her professional career, Olivia became increasingly interested in advocacy, particularly around the experiences and safety of women and girls. For her, the corporate world and the world of purpose have never needed to exist separately. She believes businesses can be some of the most powerful partners in creating meaningful social impact when the right people, ideas and communities are brought together.
The Miss Universe Great Britain Journey
Miss Universe Great Britain 2026 became another turning point. Olivia entered the competition wanting to challenge herself, use her voice and raise meaningful funds for A-Sisterhood. What began as a pageant journey quickly became much more. Through events, fundraising and partnerships with businesses across the UK, Olivia raised more than £10,000 for A-Sisterhood during her 2026 journey. She went on to place in the Top 5 and receive the Miss Congeniality award, but the experience left her with something far more important than a placement. It showed her what could happen when people were brought together around a shared purpose. Businesses offered support. Venues opened their doors. People donated time, expertise, products and experiences. Communities showed up. And somewhere along the way, Olivia realised that the events themselves could become something bigger.
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£10,000
RAISED FOR A-SISTERHOOD
As part of Miss Universe Great Britain 2026, Olivia raised over £10,000 for A-Sisterhood, contributing to more than £45,000 raised collectively by the finalist cohort. A powerful reminder of what can happen when strong women come together with purpose, generosity and a shared commitment to creating change.
Creating Events with Purpose
Events with Purpose grew from that realisation. It was created around a simple belief: an event should be able to create a brilliant experience while also leaving something meaningful behind. Rather than fundraising being an addition at the end of an event, Olivia wanted purpose to sit at the heart of it. Events with Purpose brings together businesses, venues, communities and individuals to create experiences that raise funds, start conversations and shine a light on issues that matter. From intimate dinners and movement events to conversations around women's safety, wellbeing, leadership and community, each experience is designed to connect people while contributing to something larger. For Olivia, this is not about creating one successful event. It is about building a platform that can grow.
Beyond the Event
Olivia's wider ambition is to turn awareness into lasting change. Her work around women and girls' safety has increasingly shaped that direction, including the development of SafePoint, an initiative exploring how public spaces can be made safer and how businesses, local authorities, technology providers and communities can work together to create practical solutions. It reflects the same philosophy behind Events with Purpose. Bring the right people together. Start the conversation. Then make sure the conversation leads somewhere.
What Comes Next
Olivia continues to build Events with Purpose while developing projects focused on women, community and safety. For Olivia, there is no single destination. The stage, the boardroom, the events and the advocacy are all different parts of the same story. A story about connection. About using opportunity well and about creating something that lasts long after the moment itself has passed.
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