Music Venue Properties

Music Industry Professional, specialising in event promotion, digital music distribution and event ticketing with 10+ years’ experience. Co-chair of the Music Venue Trust board of trustees.

“Having sat on the board of Trustees of MVT for 2 years, I have seen what a huge negative impact landlords can have on the sustainability of our grassroot music venues. I am passionate about ensuring our GMVs are owned by landlords who understand the music industry and share the same motivations. Purchasing venues through community shares is an inspired idea, which I support wholeheartedly”.

Founding Partner of the Community Shares Unit, Hugh, a former investment banker, has over 20 years’ experience as an active social investor through Key Fund, Social Investment Business and the Community Shares Booster programme. He was awarded an OBE in 2021 for investment services.

“I am delighted to be involved with Music Venue Properties because I believe that some things are too important to be left to the vicissitudes of the market: amongst them great independent music venues clearly belong. I am a passionate believer in the power of Community Share capital – a truly radical form of investment where investors give up the prospect of capital gain to secure a wider public good and believe that this form of investment capital has an important role to play in a more sustainable future. I am excited to bring my experience of social investment to Music Venue Properties”.

As a Chartered and Accredited Historic Building Surveyor, Gabriella has worked in the historic building industry for over 20 years, both in the public sector for the Government’s Statutory advisor and in the private sector.

“I am completely passionate about historic buildings. I am keen to help Music Venue Trust with my experience and knowledge of conserving and restoring the historic venues to secure their sustainable future not just for our benefit, but also that of our future generations”.

Former live music promoter, booking agent and tour manager now working as a built heritage consultant specialising in planning applications for historic buildings.

“Independent grassroots venues are an essential part of the musical lifeblood. Without these training grounds for emerging talent there will be no future acts capable of headlining big clubs, theatres, arenas, stadiums or festivals. The road to recognition begins with these vitally important cultural assets. Music Venue Properties will hopefully become a strong bastion which will encourage both local and touring bands to keep aspiring towards success”.

Finance professional with over 20 years of experience in financial management and transformation, notably at Universal Music as the Financial Controller of EMI Records. Now specialising in Sustainability, Governance, and Risk advisory for the SME sector. Natasha has a passion for sustainability and community, together with her finance and governance skills support her to champion grassroots projects.

“I am particularly interested in roles where I can add tangible value, evidenced by the introduction of governance and risk frameworks that promote strategy and resilience. As the Governance and Risk Advisor at Profit Impact, I support SMEs in embedding sustainability and realising their true value, not limited to solely the financial value, but including community and environmental value. I welcome the opportunity to contribute my experience to the board of MVP and forge a sustainable route to secure the future of our grassroots music venues”.

Singer, songwriter, recording artist and music teacher (post-1 6), turned professional in 1980. Rhoda is the middle of three generations of songwriters/recording artists.

“I started going to gigs in 1973 and eventually found my way to the small West End clubs where innovation abounded. I saw Glam, Soul, Punk and the evening after I left school, I spent at the Blitz with many who went on to form that particular genre. I joined a band and we played small clubs to learn our craft. I am very grateful to be playing in one or two of those clubs more than forty years later. I say one or two, because many have disappeared. If Music Venue Properties had existed before, perhaps that would not have been the case. As the latest generation, my son is now out and about in the UK and Europe playing in small clubs. They really are the lifeline of our business."

Legal Professional with over thirty years of experience advising individuals, businesses and charities.

“I was involved in the creation of MVT for which the work of MVP is a natural consequence”.

Real estate investment professional, specialising in urban asset management, and Chartered Surveyor, with over 30 years of experience in the sector, the last 10 in private equity investment and development. He has represented the real estate industry as an expert contributor to the Mayor of London’s Night-time Economy Commission and sits on the Advisory Board at Sound Diplomacy. Non-exec roles include the new Goods Way venue at Kings Cross and The Rattle community of start-up inventors, artists, hackers and nerds looking to change the system.

“As a music nut I am passionate about a secure future for the UK’s grassroots circuit so jumped at the chance to be a part of the new MVP initiative and give something back for the thousands of hours of pleasure grassroots music has given me”.

25+ years’ experience in the music industry working as a Music Booking Agent representing artists’ live careers worldwide. Director/Owner of recently launched company which is a Booking Agency and Consultancy. Co-chair of the Music Venue Trust board of trustees.

“MVP is important as we see the urgent need to help venue managers get the support in keeping beloved grassroots venues as part of each local community. With MVP it will give them the freedom to keep that intact and work to continue to give music lovers a place to go and developing artists the platforms needed to succeed”.