Meet The Team

Ade Dovey

Ade Dovey

Business and Programming Development 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
Carl Bathgate

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
Gemma Shamah TechIOSH

Gemma Shamah TechIOSH

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
George Egerton

George Egerton

Junior Promoter
Looking for a polite way to say they didn’t like their degree, George got involved in live music whilst studying philosophy at university. Soon after, they dived deep into the world of independent promoting, working on many sweaty basement shows over the course of three years. During this time they also interned in a booking agency, giving them valuable insight into how to work and coordinate different parts of the industry, as well as being an active touring musician. When they aren’t putting on shows, they’re chilling with their cat, or watching the Minnesota Vikings lose every Sunday. We are very excited to have them on board and watching how they grow in the industry.

Top Five Albums

Blind Girls – An Exit Exists Doris – Four Trees February – Febuary 100 Gecs – 1000 Gecs idialedyournumber – Hourglass
Joe Roberts

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

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

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
Nicola Coaker

Nicola Coaker

Marketing Manager
Nic’s journey into the music industry started in journalism, writing for the likes of GRM Daily and UK Grime. She then went into the PR industry, managing campaigns such as Russ and Tion Wayne’s “Body” (the first drill song to go number one), Dizzee Rascal, Hardy Caprio, Pip Millett, Blac Youngsta and Erick The Architect. She then began working across culture campaigns for The North Face, Timberland and New Era. Alongside this, she was working to develop North East based talent, landing spots across key festivals such as Reading and Leeds Festival and Kendal Calling, as well delivering songwriting camps for major labels and working with brands such as Sephora, Nandos, Mallet London and Kick Game. She now heads up our marketing department as Marketing Manager.

Top Five Albums

Jevon – Fell In Love In Brasil Nines – Crop Circle J Cole – Forest Hills Drive Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city Jhene Aiko – Trip
Richard Maides

Richard Maides

Promoter
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. He is a co-founder of the company, now living his best semi-retired life by following his love of promoting and working with some of his favourite artists such as Peter Hook & The Light, 808 State, The Chameleons, and The Wedding Present all whilst acting as 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

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