Belinda Adderton – Navigating Wealth, Alignment, and Universal Success
Managing Director and Founder, CBD Group (CBD Events, CBD Models, CBD Store)
AT A GLANCE
Companies: CBD Events, CBD Models, CBD Store
Industry Tenure: 23 Years
Core Focus: Bespoke, High-End Events
Philosophy: Trust, Respect, and Consideration
Recent Venture: Hosted. by CBD Events
For the past 23 years, Belinda Adderton has been building the CBD Group from the ground up, working to redefine standards within the events and modelling industry. Through CBD Events, CBD Models, and her latest venture, Hosted. by CBD Events, she has consistently focused on creating bespoke experiences that move beyond generic templates, placing personalisation and attention to detail at the heart of every project.
Belinda's professional journey has been anything but linear. Over the years, she has navigated the complexities of business management, successfully evolving into the luxury events sector while leading with a combination of resilience, vision, and genuine empathy. In this conversation, she shares insights into balancing high-stakes professional responsibilities with a purposeful personal life, explains why she values collaboration over competition, and reflects on the philosophy that has guided her continued growth and success for more than two decades.
In a candid conversation with Dr. Malini Saba, Managing Editor of LA Evolution, Belinda Adderton discusses the philosophy behind the CBD Group, the importance of intuitive leadership, and why she believes the most successful business decisions are the ones made with heart.
1. What is your view of the new wave of women in business?
I think it’s exciting to see more women backing themselves in business or leadership roles. There seems to be a real shift toward collaboration over competition, which I find incredibly empowering. Women can be so hard on themselves and we’re often our own worst critics, particularly when trying to balance a career with family responsibilities. It’s important to acknowledge that none of us get it right all the time and it’s totally okay if the path gets a little bit messy on the journey!
2. How did you get started?
I started the agency at 23 with a terrible business plan that I wished I’d framed (it was a solid outline of how I wanted my first office to be styled but no real plan for how I would secure clients!). I laugh about it now, but it was probably the foundation for the highly styled events that we run today. I was lucky to have had some very sharp people around me who challenged me and helped me to learn quickly along the way. It’s one thing to have a degree in Business but the reality of starting your own business is a far cry from what I learned at university.
Our most recent venture, Hosted. by CBD Events, was born over a glass of wine with my husband. After many years of managing premium incentive events around the world for luxury automotive brands, hosting groups at events such as Wimbledon and the Monaco F1 GP, we were constantly being asked for invitations. It was then that we realised there was a gap in the market for more personalised, fully curated luxury event experiences, both for private high net worth clients and smaller corporate groups looking to host their own guests. Our suites feature celebrity guests and ambassadors, and the more intimate scale allows for genuine connection and interaction between guests. We provide a complete concierge-style service from start to finish, with a focus on delivering an impossibly high standard.
3. What is the essence of your personal philosophy and leadership philosophy, and are they different?
I would say that my personal and leadership philosophies are naturally aligned. On a personal level, I demonstrate to my children the importance of respect and kindness every single day. I’m inherently a people pleaser and I also believe that the smallest interactions can really affect someone’s emotional state or confidence so I always try to offer a genuine compliment to a stranger. Most of the time it will make them smile, but selfishly, the impact on my own emotional state is always a positive one. Professionally, this translates into leading with trust, respect and consideration for where everyone is coming from. I genuinely love the team that we have built because when everyone shares the same values and is working in sync, delivering excellence becomes effortless.
4. How do you define your personal life compared to your business persona?
I’m quite driven and detail-focused in business, but in my personal life I am much more relaxed. My business is a big part of who I am so it’s difficult to switch off at the end of the day. I love what I do and my work is so varied that it means I can go down a rabbit hole researching trends.
In my personal life, I am that friend who mentally responds but forgets to hit send or only responds to the daily group chat once a week. I try to incorporate balance by making every Wednesday in our office "Wellness Wednesday," but I’ve learned that even though it’s important to step away from my desk and recharge, I’m not always great at doing it and I definitely don’t do it enough.
5. Where do you see women in your industry 10 years from now?
I would love to see women leading more agencies, shaping the future of the industry, and continuing to redefine what success looks like with creativity and a strong point of view. There will be more innovation, more creativity and hopefully more women backing other women, which is key.
6. Where would you say strength and determination to succeed come from?
For me, it comes from a combination of passion, stubbornness and having a clear sense of why I do what I do. That sense of purpose is what carries you through the inevitable challenges that come with owning a business. Over the years my motivators for success have changed and today it’s more about designing a life and a business that I actually enjoy. I’m determined to live my best life with my family so every day is another opportunity to create the life I want to live.
7. What does failure mean to you? How do you define it?
Failure isn’t something I focus on for too long. I’ve made so many mistakes along the way that to focus on that would be exhausting. I still take rejection personally but this is why I’m good at what I do—because everything is personal to me. Failure is not final, it’s just part of the refinement process.
8. What would you advise another woman who wants to get into this industry?
Be prepared to work hard and do whatever it takes to get the job done. Be intentional about the standard you want to represent and surround yourself with people who reflect the level you aspire to because your environment will shape you more than you realise. Be selective about who you work with and don’t be afraid to say no - it can be very powerful.
9. What’s your favourite thing to do to relax?
I love a long lunch with my girlfriends as much as I love supporting my children from the sporting sidelines or spending time with my husband on our boat. I was admittedly late to the sourdough trend, but I’ve fully embraced it now and am obsessed with baking the perfect loaf. Like everyone else, I’ve found a new love of pickleball (although this might be for the post-match mimosas!)
"As Belinda looks ahead, her journey remains a testament to the idea that true success is found in the intersection of professional excellence and personal integrity. By leading with empathy and maintaining an uncompromising standard, she continues to redefine the landscape of luxury events—not just by what she creates, but by how she empowers those around her to grow."
This article is an original biographical interview focused on Belinda Adderton’s journey and resilience.
10. What’s the amazing part of being a woman? What is the amazing part of owning your own business?
There’s a quiet strength in the perspective and intuition that women have. It’s the juxtaposition of strength and softness that allows us to create from the heart. Owning a business is, in many ways, the ultimate expression of that balance. It’s the ability to shape something entirely your own, guided by your own point of view and upheld by your own uncompromising standards.
Always lead with heart
