Veteran promoter Giles Cooper awarded OBE

UK concert promoter and charity trustee Giles Cooper has been awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List.

The CEO of Giles Cooper Entertainment/GCE Live, Cooper has produced countless tours over his 30 years in the industry and has been recognised for services to entertainment and charity.

GCE Live is renowned for promoting outdoor concerts under the Heritage Live brand, in the grounds of stately homes, with capacities ranging from 10,000 to 30,000. In recent years, it has promoted concerts for the likes of Robbie Williams, The Who, Noel Gallagher, Kris Kristofferson, Tom Jones, Sir Van Morrison, Madness, Jose Carreras, Soft Cell, Hozier and The Jacksons.

“I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the OBE and look forward to continuing my work in the entertainment and charity world for many years to come”

“I am truly honoured and humbled to receive the OBE and look forward to continuing my work in the entertainment and charity world for many years to come,” says Cooper.

The 55-year-old began his entertainment career in the late 80s, working on music papers Melody Maker and NME. In 1992, he joined advertising agency Sold Out as an account director where he marketed tours for bands including U2, Oasis and the Rolling Stones, as well as festivals such as Glastonbury, V Festival and Reading.

In 1998, he founded arts and entertainment agency Media Junction, later developing it into Soho Media Group.

In 2007, Cooper volunteered for the Royal Variety Charity and was voted chairman in November 2010, with overall responsibility for the annual Royal Variety Performance. He has acted as executive producer for the annual fundraising show since 2010. He was re-elected in 2016 and again in 2020 by unanimous vote.

Since Cooper became chair of the charity, in excess of £16 million has been raised from fundraising and appeals.

“Ally Pally is one of the nation’s great success stories”

Meanwhile, Emma Dagnes, Alexandra Park and Palace Charitable Trust CEO, has also been awarded an OBE in recognition of her services to heritage. The London venue is preparing for its biggest ever season of outdoor summer events, including Kaleidoscope Festival on 13 July.

“I am truly honoured to have received this award,” says Dagnes, who has worked at Alexandra Palace for 14 years. “Heritage is much more than just physical structures. It is about the people and the stories that inhabit these spaces and the inspiration and sense of community that they bring to people’s lives.

“Ally Pally is one of the nation’s great success stories in this respect. That is thanks to a huge number of people who have worked, campaigned, volunteered and fundraised to ensure the survival and success of the ‘People’s Palace’ over its 150 years. I am proud to be one of their number and privileged to continue to serve as we move forward with an exciting and bold new vision and resolve to safeguard Ally Pally for now and forever.”

In addition, musician and producer Phil Manzanera has been honoured with an OBE for services to music, while composer and conductor Dr John Rutter is recognised with a knighthood.

Elsewhere, there are MBEs for Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon, artist and music industry campaigner Rebecca Ferguson, Boney M’s Liz Pemberton-Mitchell, M People singer Heather Small and KISS FM founder Gordon Mac.

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