SEC installs new director of operations
Experienced major event professional Colin Hartley has been installed as the new director of operations at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
Hartley has more than 20 years’ experience working across some of Scotland’s biggest events. He worked on the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, was championships director for the 2015 FIG World Gymnastics Championships, hosted at the OVO Hydro, and was head of festival operations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
In November 2024, the SEC will host the 92nd Interpol General Assembly, while the campus is also gearing up for a busy live entertainment season with the likes of Elton John, Shania Twain and Deacon Blue scheduled to perform at the Hydro before the end of 2023.
“I’ve been fortunate to work across some of the world’s biggest and most exciting events and I’m delighted to be bringing that experience to the home of Glasgow’s best events – right here at the SEC,” says Hartley. ‘Glasgow and indeed Scotland, has the capacity to rival even some of the world’s biggest cities when it comes to facilities and accessibility and I’m looking forward to helping the SEC solidify its prominence on the global events stage.”
“Colin is by far one of Scotland’s most seasoned event professionals and brings with him a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience”
As well as overseeing the operations around all events, Hartley will also play an integral role in the SEC’s strategy of becoming net zero by 2030.
“Colin is by far one of Scotland’s most seasoned event professionals and brings with him a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience,” adds Peter Duthie, chief executive of the SEC. “He will be an excellent addition to our senior team as we look to grow the SEC’s reputation as a world-class venue for events at all levels.”
Last week, the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA) announced the appointment of 10 new directors to its company board.
The newly-appointed directors are Andy Duggan (agent – music division, WME), Anneliese Harmon (general manager, Music Managers Forum), David Mogendorff (head of EU Artist Services, TikTok), Dougie Brown (event producer, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival), Horse McDonald (artist), Jennifer Anderson (co-owner, The Bothy Society), Phoebe Inglis-Holmes (presenter, BBC Introducing in Scotland), Sarah Johnston (client relations manager – EMEA, FUGA), Thursa Sanderson (chief executive, Drake Music Scotland) and Will Page (author, Tarzan Economics/Pivot).
The new directors complete a 15-strong board to provide strategic direction for the SMIA and support the work of the executive team.
“This is an outstanding set of appointments,” says SMIA interim chair Nick Stewart, who is also MD of Edinburgh venue Sneaky Pete’s. “I am very proud to have such an esteemed group of Scottish music industry professionals join the SMIA Board. Each is a significant figure in Scotland and beyond, and their commitment to help us in our mission to strengthen, empower and unite the Scottish music industry is very warmly welcomed.”
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MMF’s Accelerator programme to return in 2020
The Music Managers Forum (MMF) and YouTube Music have announced that the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers will return in 2020, following a successful inaugural year.
The initiative, lauded as the first-ever independent funding and professional development programme designed solely for music managers, aims to increase the number of sustainable full-time management businesses, offering a combination of financial and educational support.
The programme currently benefits 24 managers across England and Scotland, who have received year-long grants of up to £15,000 and more than 80 hours of manager-specific education courses, through backing from Arts Council England and the Scottish Music Industry Association.
Applications for those wishing to participate in the 2020 programme open on Tuesday 15 October.
“MMF are absolutely thrilled that YouTube Music recognise the importance of Accelerator and that the programme will return next year,” says MMF’s strategy and operations director Fiona McGugan.
“Accelerator has already offered a career-changing experience for 24 upcoming music managers”
“It has already offered a career-changing experience for 24 upcoming music managers, and we look forward to sharing some of the impact data and successes in time for the opening of 2020 applications.”
Roz Mansfield, YouTube Music artist partnerships managers, comments: “As well as supporting the next wave of British talent, we also want to support the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the industry function, grow and succeed.
“We at YouTube Music are so proud to be a sponsor of MMF and their Accelerator Programme and look forward to seeing what these talented managers go on to do next.”
Accelerator business partners include Music Ally, CMU Insights, Harbottle & Lewis, Sheridans, Simkins, Simons Muirhead & Burton, Music Insurance Brokers and SRLV. MMF aims to confirm and expand partnerships for 2020 before the programme begins.
Full details on how to apply to the programme will become available here.
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MMF reveals managers to benefit from Accelerator programme
Music Managers Forum and YouTube Music have announced the 24 beneficiaries of the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers (APMM). Under the programme, the chosen managers will receive funding to develop their businesses, as well as tailored training and expert mentoring.
APMM, lauded the first-ever independent funding and professional development initiative designed solely for music managers, launched in October last year.
The programme aims to aid the development of upcoming music management businesses, awarding grants of up to £15,000 and offering high quality educational support, delivered in partnership with CMU Insights and Music Ally. The programme receives additional backing from the Arts Council England (ACE) and the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA).
The 24 successful applicants represent a diverse range of talent across the genres of grime, metal, reggae, pop, drum’n’bass and jazz. The list of beneficiaries includes managers for Mammút, Poppy Ajudha, Voyager and Brookes Brothers.
“Managers are the lifeblood of the music business, our industry will continue to thrive if they have the support to continue focusing on their businesses”
“Accelerator is the first scheme I have seen that is dedicated to supporting music managers as they develop their careers within the industry,” says Rachel Miller of Rachel Miller Management, one of the programme’s beneficiaries.
“The mentorship, training and opportunity to establish a network of peers is going to be invaluable to furthering my management skills and expanding the success of my artists and company.”
Experienced manager and music specialist Paul Bonham will manage the initiative, taking a year-long secondment from his current position as relationship manager, diversity and culture at ACE.
“Managers are the lifeblood of the music business, and our industry will continue to thrive if they have the support to continue focusing on their businesses,” says Azi Eftekhari, Head of YouTube Music Partnerships, UK and Ireland.
“These 24 individuals represent some of the most exciting next wave of management industry, and we look forward to seeing how they use these funds to improve and evolve their business here in the UK.”
The full list of programme beneficiaries can be found here.
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Live biz figures join SMIA board
The Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), a trade body founded in 2008 to advocate for Scotland’s music business, has appointed a new chairman and three additional board members.
Dougal Perman, founder of digital content creation company Inner Ear, takes over as chairman, while BBC Scotland’s Sharon Mair – responsible for BBC Radio Scotland’s music output and events, including the recent Music Day festival – Scottish Development International senior executive Blake Hutchinson and Ticketmaster/Ticketweb’s director of business development, Gillian Henderson, join the board of the directors.
“With such great new additions, we are looking forward to continuing to work with our members to strengthen and champion Scotland’s music industry”
The new directors join existing board members Vic Galloway, Greg Kane, Michael Lambert, Claire MacKay, Lisa Whytock and Alex Smith and a membership comprising venues, agents, promoters and figures from the recorded music industry.
“With such great new additions, we are looking forward to continuing to work with our members to strengthen and champion Scotland’s music industry,” says SMIA in a statement.
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