Experience

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  DF Concerts & Events

  • United Kingdom
  • Entertainment Providers
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Head of Concert Operations

    • Dec 2023 - Present

    I have responsibility for the operational planning and delivery of all indoor and outdoor concerts at DF Concerts, leading the concerts team during planning and delivery.

  • Project & Event Manager

    • Mar 2018 - Dec 2023

    Tasked with managing two summer festivals for DF Concerts & Events, my role was to ensure the safe planning, management and completion of a run of live music shows at Kelvingrove Bandstand in May 2018 and a number of shows for Edinburgh Summer Sessions at the Ross Theatre Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh. Following a successful delivery of these, I was again contracted to manage these events in 2019, in addition to the Spice Girls Concert at Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh.I was responsible for all aspects of these events, including contractor negotiations, local authority and police liaison, budgeting, build, break and on-the-day management.These events featured headline performances from the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Florence + the Machine, Courteeners, Alfie Boe, Tom Jones, Paloma Faith and Kasabian.I have been tasked with delivering Edinburgh Summer Sessions once again in 2022, in addition to all of DF Concerts stadium shows at Falkirk, Ibrox and Hampden Stadiums featuring artists such as Calvin Harris, Harry Styles and Coldplay.

  • Promoter Representative

    • May 2017 - Dec 2023

    As a promoter representative I am responsible for all advance production planning for live music events throughout Scotland. I am also responsible for the safe delivery of the show-day itself, liaising with the artist, agent, management, promoter and contractors.

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  BH Events

  • Director

    • Apr 2004 - Present

    Under the 'BH Events' umbrella, I am contracted to positions with DF Concerts and the East Renfrewshire Business Improvement Districts (listed in more detail in further positions below). I also undertake a number of other projects with the BH Events brand.PROJECT MANAGEMENT• Project management of numerous large-scale events, such as live music festivals, festive lights switch ons and town centre fun-run events.TOURING POSITIONS• I have toured with a number of artists as tour manager and production assistant including Simple Minds and Major Lazer.• I have managed merchandise accounts, including design, stock management and sales, for various touring artists.• Facilitation and management of VIP meet & greet experiences for A-list artists.STAGE & PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT• I have been involved in the stage management and production advance process for a number of events such as the Party at the Palace festival and Channel 4’s Street Velodrome.• Involved in the setup and management of VIP meet and greet experiences for a number of A-list artists.PHOTO, VIDEO & PRESS• I have photographed a number of events and have had images featured in print publications such as Kerrang! Magazine.• I have created a number of marketing videos for online, TV and cinema advertising.• Producing print-ready press releases for a number of local businesses and events and had these releases featured in national media.EDUCATIONAL• I have presented a number of talks, lectures and Q&A sessions on the entertainment industry and my career to high school, college and university students.

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  East Renfrewshire BIDs

  • Clarkston & Barrhead, East Renfrewshire

  • Chief Operating Officer

    • Nov 2015 - Present
    • Clarkston & Barrhead, East Renfrewshire

    Responsible for the operation of East Renfrewshire business improvement districts (BID), 'I Love Clarkston', 'Giffnock Village' and 'all about Barrhead', who, between them, have over 350 business members.As BIDs, we actively promote our towns as places to visit, work, shop and visit through a series of town centre events, positive marketing campaigns, capital expenditure and business support projects.

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  St. Andrew's First Aid

  • Glasgow, United Kingdom

  • National Events Manager

    • Jun 2015 - Dec 2015
    • Glasgow, United Kingdom

    I was responsible for ensuring that St. Andrew’s First Aid supply first aid event cover at a safe, efficient and sustainable level. In the short time I was with the organisation I was responsible responsible for the following:• Operational management, planning and delivery of emergency and first aid provision for all major events throughout Scotland including T in the Park, Edinburgh Festival, The World Pipe Band Championships, Pedal for Scotland and the Scottish Airshow.• Recruitment and development of volunteers. At this time the organisation currently have 2,000 volunteers throughout Scotland.• Recruitment, training, development and management of events and logistics staff.• Management of all event income, revenue targets and budgets. This includes identifying and maximising business opportunities and partnerships.• Ensuring the organisation complies with all relevant health and safety regulations.• Ensuring a consistent high level of service from point of booking to after the event.• Coordination and supervision of resource requirements for events including equipment, personnel, vehicle and command and control to ensure delivery.• Management of key accounts, partnerships and Royal patronage visits.• Initiation of a resilience plan for emergency response throughout Scotland.• Implementation of new processes for the logistical management of all assets, including vehicles, safety and life-saving equipment.

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  Twin Atlantic

  • Worldwide

  • Tour Manager

    • Jun 2010 - May 2015
    • Worldwide

    As Tour Manager I am responsible for all aspects relating to the safe management and delivery of worldwide live music tours for a top ten recording artist, ensuring all key targets are met. I am also responsible for the coordination of all touring personnel, which can regularly exceed 40 members of essential crew and artists.• Key contact for label, promoters, agents and all other relevant stakeholders involved in a large scale touring operation that has visited some of the largest and most prestigious venues and festivals across the globe.• Negotiate with suppliers to ensure we obtain the best possible value from any purchases and hires relating to the tour. This can include sound equipment, lighting, transport and accommodation for all touring personnel.• Ensure all aspects of the event meet the required international legal standards.• Liaise with promoters during the advancing process to ensure the smooth delivery of our events. The touring process involves taking the same show to different venues each night and often these venues can throw up their own challenges. An effective advancing process is essential to the smooth running of a tour each night.• Ensure each venue can facilitate our events, has sufficient security provisions and is adequately prepared to safely host thousands of customers on any given night.• Liaise with media representatives to create and manage press schedules for the artist whilst on the road.• Produce technical documents and travel itineraries for distribution to all relevant staff, management and promoters to assist in the efficient running of all touring schedules.• Produce and distribute reports, budgets and research findings to artist management and agents for post-event analysis to assist with development. This also includes the handling of all tour related finances whilst on the road.

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  Renfrewshire Council

  • Paisley, United Kingdom

  • Senior Communications & Events Officer

    • May 2013 - Jul 2014
    • Paisley, United Kingdom

    This fixed-term contract involved working within both the events and communications departments within one of the largest local authority councils in Scotland. During this time I was lead officer on a number of events including the only UK starting point for the Monte Carlo Classic Car Rally, the 2014 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay and The Spree National Arts Festival.• Developed and managed marketing strategies for all key events.• Lead on key projects that included full branding management, national print advertising campaigns, radio advertising, social media management and other web-based media.• Producing marketing and communications materials including press releases, quotes and copy for national press and broadcast media.• Streamlined and managed the processes behind the Council’s online and wider communications profile - including all use of social media.• Invited to facilitate an Events Steering Board by David Martin (Chief Executive) with a view to developing this group into an integral component in the management and marketing process for any major event in the area.• Responsible for the production of full event management plans that would include event logistics, security deployments, access management (both for artists, competitors and spectators) and emergency arrangements for all events in the area.• Negotiating with management and agents of artists, competitors, suppliers and venues for the delivery of events.• Writing sponsorship proposals and managing the contracts of any successful sponsorship agreements.• Liaising with external stakeholders (e.g. Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue, local community groups) for the safe delivery of large-scale events. • Management of paid and volunteer event staff. This included any pre-event briefing and on the day deployment.

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  DF Concerts & Events

  • Scotland

  • Senior Operational Manager

    • Jun 2009 - Jan 2012
    • Scotland

    As part of the Senior Management Team I assisted with the delivery of T in the Park festival in accordance with the operations plan. This was seasonal role.• Attended pre-event consultation meetings with the management and production teams to discuss safe practices and finalise operating plans.• Responsible for the safe delivery of a number of stages throughout the duration of the festival. This included ensuring each stage was properly maintained, staffed and had an adequate security provision.• Responsible for the security, time and stage management of artists, crew and equipment at each stage throughout the festival site.• Responsible for the deployment of a team of volunteers who were to assist any festival goers in need of help.• Designated show stop for assigned stages. This involved being responsible for making assertive decisions in a rapidly changing environment. This could include measures such as halting the show for emergency evacuation or potentially dangerous situations.• Designated Police liaison for the duration of the festival.• Responsible for reporting and relaying operational feedback to the joint operational command throughout the day and again to the Senior Management team upon completion of the festival. This allowed for strategic decisions to be made without compromising other areas.

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  Queen Margaret Union

  • Glasgow, United Kingdom

  • Venue Manager

    • Sep 2007 - Dec 2011
    • Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Responsible for the safe and successful operation of a 2,000 capacity live music, entertainment, conference and social venue within a busy student environment. • Responsible for the conception, organisation, marketing and development of all events, including corporate conferences, club nights and live music, within the venue.• Created and managed the distribution of all publications and promotional materials including, but not limited to, social networks, welcome handbooks, event posters, web images and TV advertising.• Sole controller of the events budget.• Negotiated with all suppliers, agents and promoters when hosting events to ensure we received the best value possible.• Secured corporate sponsorship for the venue and one-off events. During my time at the QMU I negotiated and managed sponsorship contacts with companies such as Coca-Cola, O2 and Deloitte.• Provided regular updates to the Board of Management and Finance Committee.• Researched and advised the organisation on areas of capital investment.• Responsible for ensuring the venue remained properly maintained and continued to be a safe location for all visitors. This included delegating tasks to the in-house maintenance team and managing assigned contractors. • Responsible for the recruitment, management and delegation of all security, staff and student volunteers. • Implemented staff communication forums and bi-annual appraisals. 
• Attended student led events committee meetings and customer feedback forums in a professional advisory capacity. 
• Attended Board of Management meetings to advise on all aspects of the events department, venue logistics and our legal obligations and how these fitted with our constitution, bye-laws and policies.

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  University of Paisley

  • Paisley, United Kingdom

  • Operational Development Manager

    • Oct 2004 - Sep 2007
    • Paisley, United Kingdom

    The University of Paisley designed a new building, built specifically for the Students’ Union at a cost of £5million. When I arrived, the building was being underused and in much need of a brand identity and direction. • Responsible for ensuring all events went successfully from concept to completion stages in a non-profit student organisation.• Created and managed all publication and promotional materials, including the full online presence. • Recruitment, training and management of all events and promotional staff and student volunteers.• I was tasked with increasing student involvement and footfall. Alongside a focus on international student led programs, a solid structured schedule of regular events, and a new brand identity, we more than doubled the previous daily footfall.

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  David Lloyd Leisure

  • Paisley, United Kingdom

  • Swimming Coach

    • Jun 2002 - Feb 2006
    • Paisley, United Kingdom

    Upon leaving University I decided to further my lifeguard training which began with Renfrewshire Leisure and focus on coaching, working with pupils as young as 4, and as old as 80.• Responsible for the conception and completion of all group and one-to-one swimming lessons.• I created and marketed a Junior Lifeguard Summer Camp, teaching children essential lifesaving techniques and basic first aid skills. This scheme is still used today.• Created and maintained training records.

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  Mitchells & Butlers

  • Glasgow, United Kingdom

  • Event Manager

    • Jun 2002 - Dec 2005
    • Glasgow, United Kingdom

    Mitchells & Butlers run around 2,000 managed pubs, bars and restaurants throughout the United Kingdom. During my time there they owned the ‘It’s a Scream‘ franchise, the brand I was associated with.• I ensured all events and entertainments were taken successfully from concept stages to completion at four Mitchell & Butler venues throughout Glasgow.• I created publications that suited our target market, and managed the distribution of these.• Sourced and secured corporate sponsorship for larger events.• Produced and presented musical set lists for all events.• Management, staging and presentation of all stage acts.• In my time with Mitchell & Butler we successfully increased turnover and profit by over 200%.

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  Renfrewshire Leisure

  • Renfrewshire

  • Leisure & Events Staff

    • Jul 2000 - Feb 2005
    • Renfrewshire

    Renfrewshire Leisure operated multiple leisure venues throughout the area, including swimming pools, ice rinks and fitness centres.• Member of event staff at busy, town centre leisure centres, predominantly ice rinks, but also including swimming pools and other sports facilities.• Experienced and fully qualified lifeguard, swimming instructor and designated first aider.• Part of the team responsible for the safety of the public using the facilities.• Responsible for music and announcements at all events, including professional ice hockey matches.• Member of the crew responsible for the lifting, laying, painting and maintenance of the ice rinks.• Responsible for the maintenance of events equipment and power tools.• Assisting in the safe operation of the Zamboni in a busy environment.