Samantha Hicks: Global Marriage Specialist

Award-Winning Strategist | HR Expert | Administrative Specialist

Expertise at a Glance

• Global Recognition: Multi-award-winning Wedding Planner (2023–2025) and “Most Inclusive Paperwork Specialist.”
• Administrative Excellence: Over a decade of Senior HR Leadership, specializing in complex compliance, policy creation, and Investors in People accreditation.
• International Reach: Bilingual (English/French) specialist with a deep network.
• Academic Excellence: Post Graduate Diploma in HR (Leeds University) and CIPD (IPM) qualified.
• Client-Centric Philosophy: A “Client is King/Queen” approach, combining corporate grit with empathetic, personalized problemsolving.

Professional Biography

My journey began with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Northumbria, launching me into the high-stakes world of target-driven sales. It was here, managing government contracts and navigating competitive call centers, that I developed the grit and tenacity that remain the bedrock of my professional life.

This drive naturally transitioned into a passion for people. I moved into management, eventually becoming a Departmental HR Head, where I designed company-wide HR strategies from the ground up. I specialized in aligning workforce development with ambitious growth goals, implementing full reward-based appraisal processes, and overseeing complex payroll systems. During this time, I solidified my expertise with a Post Graduate Diploma in HR from Leeds University and qualified with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)—formerly the IPM.

Today, I have combined my strategic HR background, my entrepreneurial experience in SEO and e-commerce, and my deep love for the South of France to create a world-class wedding planning service. I believe that the client is King/Queen, and I use my professional history to solve the most complex administrative puzzles, ensuring every couple’s marriage is as clean on paper as it is beautiful in person.

Previous Leadership Roles

• Senior Manager in HR (UK): Lead the creation and implementation of comprehensive HR policies for a rapidly growing workforce. I was instrumental in achieving and renewing the prestigious Investors in People accreditation, a testament to my commitment to training, development, and staff excellence.
• Sales & Team Management: Managed high-performing sales teams within competitive, target-driven environments, mastering the art of interpersonal communication and referral network building.
• International Business Development: Successfully pivoted my career to the South of France, building a robust network of referral partners in the currency exchange sector and mastering the nuances of SEO and digital business management.

Awards & Global Recognition

I am honoured to have my dedication to excellence recognized by some of the most prestigious bodies in the international business and wedding industries:

• Best International Wedding Planner (2023): International Wedding Awards.
• Best Express Wedding Planning Services Provider (2024): Scandinavian Business Awards.
• Best Express International Wedding Planning Service (2025): Global Business Awards.
• Most Inclusive Marriage Paperwork Specialist Director (2023): Influential Businesswoman Awards

A Personal Note

Moving my small family to the South of France was a turning point that taught me more than a new language; it taught me the true value of cultural adaptability and deep communication. I understand that behind every marriage that achieve (which is now tens of thousands ❤) is a deeply personal story. My HR background and warm empathetic character has given me the unique ability to listen to each couple, understand their specific situation, and offer a clear, stress-free solution to their legal paperwork. Once the logistics are settled, my number one goal is simple: ensuring you have the most magical day of your lives. I don’t just plan weddings; I protect the joy of your celebration by handling the complexities for you.

Connect with Samantha

• LinkedIn: Samantha Hicks
• Contact: [email protected]