Ade Dovey
General Venue Business Manager
Highly regarded whilst holding key operational and programming roles across the industry, Ade is a respected Promoter and a first-class creative Venue Manager in his own right. Previously responsible for developing unique venue spaces such as The Deaf Institute, Gorilla and the Albert Hall in Manchester, Ade leads on our partnership with Marble Factory (Bristol). He also brings an eclectic mix of niche artists to our Promotions Department along with knowledge of the best way to handle a surfboard.
Top Five Albums
Slint – Spiderland Mercury Rev – Deserter’s Songs Tortoise – TNT Kyuss – Welcome To Sky Valley Dirty Three – Cinder
Aoifé Niblock
Operations Manager
Beginning her journey in the industry assisting local promoters and bands, Aoifé graduated in Music, Theatre & Entertainment Management from the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Post-graduation, she gained experience from a wide variety of areas in the industry including artist & talent management, tour management and has worked on events ranging from smaller community focused activity to large-scale outdoor events & festivals. Aoifé is an extremely experienced operator having held several senior positions in the corporate and independent sector including General Manager of Arts Club (Liverpool) and Northern Operations Manager for a multi venue and outdoor events business. Aoifé helps and supports our venue estate in the North West region as well as managing large-scale events within our outdoor portfolio with her famed laidback and unflappable demeanour.
Top Five Albums
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Californication Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine The Cranberries – No Need To Argue Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon Damien Rice – O
Carl Bathgate
Commercial Director
With extensive experience at a senior level in both the independent and corporate sector, Carl oversee the commercial aspects of the company. Having a well-rounded pedigree including roles such as Head of Academy Events (Academy Music Group’s promoters division) senior venue management positions and Commercial Director of a multi venue and outdoor large-scale events company he is equally comfortable with indoor and outdoor activity. Carl enjoys working closely with our clients and partners on areas from strategic and concept development to content procurement and delivery. He is an established promoter in his own right working with a wide variety of artists including Ed Sheeran, Snow Patrol, Alice Cooper, Kasabian, Jess Glynne, Madness, James, McFly, The Wombats, Flaming Lips, Nile Rodgers, Paloma Faith, Katherine Jenkins, Gary Numan, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Keane, Blondie, Kaiser Chiefs, Rita Ora and Tom Jones to name but a few. He likes nothing more than an innovative solution or the development of a new model that offers our promoters, operators, partners and clients a viable and commercially sound approach to any given project or event. Oh yes and Diet Coke (and chocolate!).
Top Five Albums
Arctic Monkeys – Whatever you say I am, I’m not Fleetwood Mac – Rumours Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under Radiohead – The Bends Stone Roses – Stones Roses
Craig McVeigh
Promoter
A former founder and owner of the established independent promoter I Love Live, Craig played a key role in the development of several artists who are now household names from Catfish and the Bottlemen, Phoebe Bridgers to KSI and The Reytons. Acting as Head Programmer for Liverpool Sound City he worked alongside the festival team to remodel the event from a greenfield site to become one the best independent metropolitan showcase events in the UK. Craig now heads up Pink Dot promoting UK wide, whilst delivering talent for our partner venues and our inhouse outdoor large-scale events. A firm believer in helping emerging artists along their chosen path Craig has a passion, understanding and empathetic approach that only those who have toured in a band can truly offer.
Top Five Albums
Turnover – Peripheral Vision Frank Ocean – Blonde Khruangbin – Mordechai Oasis – (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Title Fight – Shed
Gemma Shamah
Operations Director
Our most recently appointed Director, Gemma really left us no choice! An excellent communicator with a genuine and detailed knowledge of all facets of the industry Gemma has proven herself to be an extremely capable individual. Her professional history is a rich tapestry of experience of both indoor and outdoor events. A former manager of many established venues including The Forum (London) along with outdoor experience as varied as bar management to being in overall control of large-scale events. Gemma was DPS & Operational and Events Manager for the 15,000 capacity classic rock camping festival Ramblin’ Man Fair and designed and delivered 5 on the Farm Festival in partnership with Viacom CBS and Channel 5. With specialisms in large-scale outdoor events across feasibility, site design, health & safety, supplier procurement and supplier diligence, she leads on our speciality projects as well as the onsite delivery of the Live After Racing series and Royal Holloway Students’ Union Summer Ball.
Top Five Albums
Incubus – S.C.I.E.N.C.E Creedence Clearwater Revival – Best of Gil Scott-Heron – Pieces of a Man Hatebreed – The Rise of Brutality American Head Charge – The War of Art
Joe Roberts
Head of Production
Looking for a reason not to attend lectures whilst at University, Joe entered the industry as a member of the old skool Entertainments Committee. Taking full advantage and still not wanting to go to lectures, he immersed fully in the entertainment industry becoming Technical Manager, Assistant Manager and then Entertainments Manager of Liverpool Guild of Students. From there Joe joined Academy Music Group following the same path from Technical Manager to General Manager of Oxford Academy. He also has comprehensive experience of tour management, promoter repping, and makes a great coffee and bacon butty. Focussing on his love of all things tech, Joe became Production Manager for a national venue and outdoor event operator advancing and producing shows from 200 – 20,000 capacity. Joe now heads up our Production Department working closely with Gemma and Richard to deliver all events across Live After Racing, Pink Dot, our partner venues and large-scale outdoor events. He enjoys drawing site plans, loves his van and drives a mean telehandler!
Top Five Albums
Ben Folds – Ben Folds Live Counting Crows – This Desert Life Neil Diamond – Greatest Hits Garth Brooks – Double Live The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
Karen Lillycrop
Office Manager & PA to the Directors
The real “boss” of the company, Karen worked in theatre for Live Nation and the Ambassador Theatre Group for 12 years across various roles in Box Office, Front of House, Administration and Venue Management and then for a multi-site operator as Finance and Data Officer. As Office Manager and PA to the Directors, she oversees the administrative and HR functions of the business as well as supporting the Ticketing and Finance Departments. The glue that binds us together and keeps us in-line, Karen is an invaluable member of the team.
Top Five Albums
The Beatles – Help! The Killers – Hot Fuss Savage Garden – Affirmation Abba – Gold Josh Groban – Closer
Molly Doyle
Ticketing & Promoters Assistant
Being introduced to the industry from both sides of the bar at The Garage in London and after various management roles in other sectors, Molly joined Ghostwriter in October 2021. Originally employed in a ticketing role and quickly becoming a key part of the team, Molly rapidly progressed to become Promoters Assistant. She provides support to all the Promoters in the department and works on the delivery of shows across the UK for Pink Dot, Live After Racing, our in-house and partner brands.
Top Five Albums
Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love The Cadillac Three – Bury Me In My Boots Tyler Childers – Purgatory Missy Elliot – Miss E … So Addictive Daft Punk – Alive 2007
Richard Maides
Director of Events
A well respected and established industry professional Richard has held Directorships both in the independent and corporate sector. Having extensive experience at the highest level whilst at the UKs leading music venue operator in addition to regularly working on large-scale outdoor activity and consultancy projects, Richard’s repertoire offers a wide range of achievements from which to draw upon. Richard is a co-founder of the company, a Technical Member of IOSH and leads on event and company compliance with responsibility for event health & safety and licensing. Richard oversees the delivery of our Live After Racing series whilst keeping his love of promoting alive by working with some of his favourite artists such as Peter Hook & The Light, 808 State, The Chameleons, The Wedding Present and is also Creative Director of Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival. Unfortunately, Richard is a lifelong Nottingham Forest fan but we are hoping that in terms of judgement that this is the exception that proves the rule!
Top Five Albums
The KLF – Chill Out Talk Talk – The Spirit of Eden The Human League – Dare The Sisters of Mercy – First And Last And Always Underworld – Dubnobasswithmyhead
Victoria Smith
Finance Director
Victoria started her career with Live Nation at 16, achieving their Trainee of the Year award. She subsequently progressed to hold several senior positions at both MAMA and Academy Music Group. Whilst still focussed on operations, Victoria has worked on and supported venues and large-scale outdoor events across the UK. Now our Finance Director, Victoria is well equipped with significant experience of the intricacies of venue & site management, artist bookings, ticketing and promotions that aid her in taking a pragmatic and practical approach to all our projects. Victoria has a love of independent venues, cultural eco-systems of their localities and enjoys engaging and assisting all those who share her passion.
Top Five Albums
Taylor Swift – Red Damien Rice – O Florence & The Machine – Lungs We Were Promised Jetpacks – These Four Walls Mumford & Sons – Babel
Ade Dovey
General Venue Business Manager
Highly regarded whilst holding key operational and programming roles across the industry, Ade is a respected Promoter and a first-class creative Venue Manager in his own right. Previously responsible for developing unique venue spaces such as The Deaf Institute, Gorilla and the Albert Hall in Manchester, Ade leads on our partnership with Marble Factory (Bristol). He also brings an eclectic mix of niche artists to our Promotions Department along with knowledge of the best way to handle a surfboard.
Top Five Albums
Slint – Spiderland Mercury Rev – Deserter’s Songs Tortoise – TNT Kyuss – Welcome To Sky Valley Dirty Three – Cinder
Aoifé Niblock
Operations Manager
Beginning her journey in the industry assisting local promoters and bands, Aoifé graduated in Music, Theatre & Entertainment Management from the prestigious Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts. Post-graduation, she gained experience from a wide variety of areas in the industry including artist & talent management, tour management and has worked on events ranging from smaller community focused activity to large-scale outdoor events & festivals. Aoifé is an extremely experienced operator having held several senior positions in the corporate and independent sector including General Manager of Arts Club (Liverpool) and Northern Operations Manager for a multi venue and outdoor events business. Aoifé helps and supports our venue estate in the North West region as well as managing large-scale events within our outdoor portfolio with her famed laidback and unflappable demeanour.
Top Five Albums
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Californication Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine The Cranberries – No Need To Argue Pink Floyd – Dark Side Of The Moon Damien Rice – O
Carl Bathgate
Commercial Director
With extensive experience at a senior level in both the independent and corporate sector, Carl oversee the commercial aspects of the company. Having a well-rounded pedigree including roles such as Head of Academy Events (Academy Music Group’s promoters division) senior venue management positions and Commercial Director of a multi venue and outdoor large-scale events company he is equally comfortable with indoor and outdoor activity. Carl enjoys working closely with our clients and partners on areas from strategic and concept development to content procurement and delivery. He is an established promoter in his own right working with a wide variety of artists including Ed Sheeran, Snow Patrol, Alice Cooper, Kasabian, Jess Glynne, Madness, James, McFly, The Wombats, Flaming Lips, Nile Rodgers, Paloma Faith, Katherine Jenkins, Gary Numan, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, Keane, Blondie, Kaiser Chiefs, Rita Ora and Tom Jones to name but a few. He likes nothing more than an innovative solution or the development of a new model that offers our promoters, operators, partners and clients a viable and commercially sound approach to any given project or event. Oh yes and Diet Coke (and chocolate!).
Top Five Albums
Arctic Monkeys – Whatever you say I am, I’m not Fleetwood Mac – Rumours Sam Fender – Seventeen Going Under Radiohead – The Bends Stone Roses – Stones Roses
Craig McVeigh
Promoter
A former founder and owner of the established independent promoter I Love Live, Craig played a key role in the development of several artists who are now household names from Catfish and the Bottlemen, Phoebe Bridgers to KSI and The Reytons. Acting as Head Programmer for Liverpool Sound City he worked alongside the festival team to remodel the event from a greenfield site to become one the best independent metropolitan showcase events in the UK. Craig now heads up Pink Dot promoting UK wide, whilst delivering talent for our partner venues and our inhouse outdoor large-scale events. A firm believer in helping emerging artists along their chosen path Craig has a passion, understanding and empathetic approach that only those who have toured in a band can truly offer.
Top Five Albums
Turnover – Peripheral Vision Frank Ocean – Blonde Khruangbin – Mordechai Oasis – (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? Title Fight – Shed
Gemma Shamah
Operations Director
Our most recently appointed Director, Gemma really left us no choice! An excellent communicator with a genuine and detailed knowledge of all facets of the industry Gemma has proven herself to be an extremely capable individual. Her professional history is a rich tapestry of experience of both indoor and outdoor events. A former manager of many established venues including The Forum (London) along with outdoor experience as varied as bar management to being in overall control of large-scale events. Gemma was DPS & Operational and Events Manager for the 15,000 capacity classic rock camping festival Ramblin’ Man Fair and designed and delivered 5 on the Farm Festival in partnership with Viacom CBS and Channel 5. With specialisms in large-scale outdoor events across feasibility, site design, health & safety, supplier procurement and supplier diligence, she leads on our speciality projects as well as the onsite delivery of the Live After Racing series and Royal Holloway Students’ Union Summer Ball.
Top Five Albums
Incubus – S.C.I.E.N.C.E Creedence Clearwater Revival – Best of Gil Scott-Heron – Pieces of a Man Hatebreed – The Rise of Brutality American Head Charge – The War of Art
Joe Roberts
Head of Production
Looking for a reason not to attend lectures whilst at University, Joe entered the industry as a member of the old skool Entertainments Committee. Taking full advantage and still not wanting to go to lectures, he immersed fully in the entertainment industry becoming Technical Manager, Assistant Manager and then Entertainments Manager of Liverpool Guild of Students. From there Joe joined Academy Music Group following the same path from Technical Manager to General Manager of Oxford Academy. He also has comprehensive experience of tour management, promoter repping, and makes a great coffee and bacon butty. Focussing on his love of all things tech, Joe became Production Manager for a national venue and outdoor event operator advancing and producing shows from 200 – 20,000 capacity. Joe now heads up our Production Department working closely with Gemma and Richard to deliver all events across Live After Racing, Pink Dot, our partner venues and large-scale outdoor events. He enjoys drawing site plans, loves his van and drives a mean telehandler!
Top Five Albums
Ben Folds – Ben Folds Live Counting Crows – This Desert Life Neil Diamond – Greatest Hits Garth Brooks – Double Live The Stone Roses – The Stone Roses
Karen Lillycrop
Office Manager & PA to the Directors
The real “boss” of the company, Karen worked in theatre for Live Nation and the Ambassador Theatre Group for 12 years across various roles in Box Office, Front of House, Administration and Venue Management and then for a multi-site operator as Finance and Data Officer. As Office Manager and PA to the Directors, she oversees the administrative and HR functions of the business as well as supporting the Ticketing and Finance Departments. The glue that binds us together and keeps us in-line, Karen is an invaluable member of the team.
Top Five Albums
The Beatles – Help! The Killers – Hot Fuss Savage Garden – Affirmation Abba – Gold Josh Groban – Closer
Molly Doyle
Ticketing & Promoters Assistant
Being introduced to the industry from both sides of the bar at The Garage in London and after various management roles in other sectors, Molly joined Ghostwriter in October 2021. Originally employed in a ticketing role and quickly becoming a key part of the team, Molly rapidly progressed to become Promoters Assistant. She provides support to all the Promoters in the department and works on the delivery of shows across the UK for Pink Dot, Live After Racing, our in-house and partner brands.
Top Five Albums
Kate Bush – Hounds Of Love The Cadillac Three – Bury Me In My Boots Tyler Childers – Purgatory Missy Elliot – Miss E … So Addictive Daft Punk – Alive 2007
Richard Maides
Director of Events
A well respected and established industry professional Richard has held Directorships both in the independent and corporate sector. Having extensive experience at the highest level whilst at the UKs leading music venue operator in addition to regularly working on large-scale outdoor activity and consultancy projects, Richard’s repertoire offers a wide range of achievements from which to draw upon. Richard is a co-founder of the company, a Technical Member of IOSH and leads on event and company compliance with responsibility for event health & safety and licensing. Richard oversees the delivery of our Live After Racing series whilst keeping his love of promoting alive by working with some of his favourite artists such as Peter Hook & The Light, 808 State, The Chameleons, The Wedding Present and is also Creative Director of Tomorrow’s Ghosts Festival. Unfortunately, Richard is a lifelong Nottingham Forest fan but we are hoping that in terms of judgement that this is the exception that proves the rule!
Top Five Albums
The KLF – Chill Out Talk Talk – The Spirit of Eden The Human League – Dare The Sisters of Mercy – First And Last And Always Underworld – Dubnobasswithmyhead
Victoria Smith
Finance Director
Victoria started her career with Live Nation at 16, achieving their Trainee of the Year award. She subsequently progressed to hold several senior positions at both MAMA and Academy Music Group. Whilst still focussed on operations, Victoria has worked on and supported venues and large-scale outdoor events across the UK. Now our Finance Director, Victoria is well equipped with significant experience of the intricacies of venue & site management, artist bookings, ticketing and promotions that aid her in taking a pragmatic and practical approach to all our projects. Victoria has a love of independent venues, cultural eco-systems of their localities and enjoys engaging and assisting all those who share her passion.