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The Jockey Club Live has appointed Nicky Dunn as its new chairwoman.
Dunn (pictured), who was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours earlier this month, is an ex-CEO of the 11,000-capacity SSE Arena (then the Odyssey Arena) in Belfast, and was previously commercial director of the former London Arena (cap. 15,000) in the Docklands.
She was most recently chairwoman of Belfast’s Titanic Foundation, and is also the owner of consultancy firm IMD Group and holds non-executive positions at the London Legacy Development Corporation and E20 Stadium LLP, which manages the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.
The Jockey Club Live, a joint venture between Music + Sport and The Jockey Club, promotes concerts at racecourses around the UK. It is a sister organisation of Cricket Live, which does the same at county cricket clubs, and recently launched Music + Rugby.
“The combined teams of Music + Sport and The Jockey Club are a formidable partnership, and I am looking forward to helping them realise their ambitious vision and to build on their existing success”
Upcoming The Jockey Club Live shows include Little Mix, Mark Ronson, Jess Glynne, Kaiser Chiefs, Bryan Adams and Busted.
Andrew Wilkinson, CEO of The Jockey Club Live, says: “Nicky Dunn is a highly skilled board chair who is perfectly placed to lead the board of The Jockey Club Live. We are in a phase of rapid growth and her track record of success in the live music industry is second to none. She brings with her enormous experience of leading companies and organisations to success.”
Dunn adds: “In the relatively short time since The Jockey Club Live launched in 2013 they have established themselves as significant players in the live music market. The combined teams of Music + Sport and The Jockey Club are a formidable partnership, and I am looking forward to helping them realise their ambitious vision and to build on their existing success.”
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Former SSE Arena Belfast CEO Nicky Dunn, consultant Remi Harris and Universal Music Group chairman Lucian Grange were among the music industry figures recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Dunn, now chairwoman of the Titanic Foundation and owner of consultancy firm IMD Group, was chief executive of the 11,000-capacity arena (formerly the Odyssey Arena) from 2000 to 2010. She was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to tourism in Northern Ireland.
“It’s been a real privilege to work on these iconic projects and with the superb teams behind them,” says Dunn. “Receiving an OBE is recognition for not just my contribution but all those who I’ve worked alongside over the last 16 years.”
Harris, who runs Remi Harris Consulting and has previously worked at UK Music and the Association of Independent Music, received an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to the music industry.
Simon Robey, chairman of music charity and classic festival Aldebrugh Music, was knighted for services to music.
Grange was also knighted, as was Rod Stewart (becoming Sir Lucian and Sir Roderick, respectively), while ‘forces’ sweetheart’ Dame Vera Lynn became a Member of the Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) for services to entertainment and charity.
The full list of Birthday Honours can be viewed at the British government website.
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