Inside the "Terrapinn Brain": How One COO Cut £470K in SaaS and Shipped 13 AI Skills in 5 Weeks

Heather Holst-Knudsen is a distinguished figure and expert in the events, media, marketing and technology sectors. Using her extensive experience, she guides clients in adapting to structural economic and market changes, seizing the chance to innovate and evolve. She specializes in digital and data disruption and opportunity, exploring how these overarching factors can impact revenue growth,customer-centricity, operational efficiency, profit margins, and the overall valuation of companies in both public and private markets. Her journey began at her family business, Thomas Publishing Company, where she honed her skills. She further expanded her expertise by holding positions at early industry giants Miller Freeman, Reed Elsevier, and IDG. Returning to Thomas Publishing, Heather founded and spearheaded Manufacturing Enterprise Communications, an integrated media portfolio connecting buyers and sellers in the manufacturing and technology sectors. Starting in 2015 and spanning the next seven years, she leveraged her expertise as a revenue and business leader in various SaaS businesses, including Feathr, Gleanin, Brella and Edflex. Heather is deeply passionate about digital innovation, data monetization, and AI and how these strategies fuel revenue growth, profitability, and company valuation. To serve and create value for clients in these areas, she launched H2K Labs, dedicated to generating and leveraging value through data for media, business information, events, and adjacent technology and service markets.

I’m a strategic operator, problem solver, and commercial leader with over 30 years of experience in the B2B events industry. As Chief Operating Officer at Terrapinn, I turn big ideas into thriving, scalable businesses—by aligning vision with execution, strategy with systems, and innovation with commercial impact. I’ve led the launch and growth of 20+ large-scale events across Asia, including global brands like EDUtech and Solar & Storage Live. Whether expanding into new markets, building high-performing teams, or modernising our tech infrastructure, I bring structure, pace, and clarity to complex challenges. I thrive on getting things done—quickly and effectively. I’m highly organised, outcome-driven, and always looking for the smartest path from idea to impact. My passion lies in creating value: for customers, for teams, and for the business.