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FlyDSA Arena former GM Rob O’Shea passes

Rob O’Shea, the former general manager of FlyDSA Arena in Sheffield died last week following a year-long battle with cancer.

O’Shea successfully managed the arena, formerly Sheffield Arena, for over ten years. In total, the ILMC member accrued 22 years of arena management at the Manchester Apollo and Sheffield Arena, working for Apollo Leisure, Live Nation and Sheffield International Venues.

O’Shea took on the role of general manager at 13,500-cap. Sheffield Arena in 2006. Under his management, the venue hosted Arctic Monkey’s first arena show, BBC Sport’s Personality of the year and Pulp’s final gig in 2012. O’Shea also oversaw the creation of the Steel Hall, a 4,000-cap. venue within the arena.

“Rob was a brilliant venue manager and colleague. He was also a true maverick and innovator”

O’Shea left his position at Sheffield Arena in July 2017, to concentrate on his events promotion company, Manifesto Events.

“Rob was a brilliant venue manager and colleague. He was also a true maverick and innovator. Above all he was my friend who I had the privilege to know and work with over the past 22 years,” says Dominic Stokes, head of Sheffield International Venues Live.

“It goes without saying he touched so many lives in so many ways and will be missed by so many people.”

The funeral will take place at 2pm on Friday 8 February at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium. O’Shea’s family have requested no flowers but encourage donations to St Luke’s Hospice, where he received treatment and care.

 


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Sheffield Arena becomes FlyDSA Arena

Sheffield Arena has been renamed FlyDSA Arena following the signing of a naming rights deal with Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) in South Yorkshire.

The three-year deal, which sees the airport – formerly known as Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield – invest a “six-figure” sum into the 13,500-capacity venue, was announced today and sees the arena assuming its new identity with immediate effect.

Robert Hough, chairman of DSA owner Peel Airports, comments: “DSA and the arena are key parts of Sheffield and the region’s leisure offering, so by working together we hope to attract even more visitors to the region.”

“We are absolutely delighted to be working with DSA on this new chapter of the arena’s history,” adds Alex Pettifer MBE, deputy chairman of the arena’s owner, Sheffield City Trust.

“This is a brilliant example of positive collaboration between two integral local businesses”

“Both DSA and the arena are integral to the region’s economy and the significant contribution from both organisations supports the continued growth of visitors to South Yorkshire from across the county and further afield.

“This is a brilliant example of positive collaboration between two integral local businesses and we look forward to welcoming visitors to FlyDSA Arena very soon.”

FlyDSA Arena is owned by the charitable Sheffield City Trust and operated by its subsidiary, Sheffield International Venues (SIV), which took over from Live Nation in 2015. It was ranked 17th in the world in Pollstar’s recent mid-year report, with ticket sales of 306,365 in H1 2017.

Joe Waldron took over as its new general manager in July following the departure of previous GM John O’Shea.

 


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Sheffield Arena appoints new GM

Sheffield Arena in Yorkshire, the UK’s seventh most-visited arena, has appointed a new general manager to replace Rob O’Shea, who has stepped down to focus on his promotions business.

Joe Waldron, who has been at the arena for 18 years, including 11 as deputy GM, takes over the top job, with O’Shea leaving to concentrate on his work with regional promoter Manifesto Events.

“I am sad to be leaving colleagues who have become friends,” O’Shea tells The Yorkshire Post, “but after 11 years of running Sheffield Arena the time is right to concentrate all my efforts on Manifesto Events and promoting shows in Sheffield.”

“After 11 years of running Sheffield Arena the time is right to concentrate all my efforts on Manifesto Events”

Waldron, meanwhile, promises to focus on “maintaining and developing our relationships with all of the stakeholders who continue to make the arena the success story it is for Sheffield”.

The 13,500-cap. venue is owned by charity Sheffield City Trust and operated by its subsidiary Sheffield International Venues (SIV), which took over from Live Nation in 2015. It was ranked 17th in the world in Pollstar’s recent mid-year report, with ticket sales of 306,365 in H1 2017.

 


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