Venue virtuoso Dunstan to steer Co-op Live

Article posted by Coliseum, October 2^nd, 2024

Image: Oak View Group

The United Kingdom’s (UK’s) largest arena – the Co-op Live in Manchester, England (UK) – has announced that the NEC Group veteran Guy Dunstan will be joining the Manchester venue as its new General Manager and Senior Vice-President (SVP).

‘IQ’ stated that Dunstan will take the helm from October 21^st with the current interim General Manager Rebecca Kane Burton becoming the Executive Vice-President (EVP) of Venue Management for the Oak View Group (OVG) International leading the OVG’s global business development strategy for its facilities, sports, entertainment, and hospitality divisions.

The Co-op Live is an indoor arena in Manchester, England, United Kingdom, sited in the Etihad Campus next to the 53,400-capacity City of Manchester Stadium. Opened on May 14^th, 2024, it has the largest maximum capacity of any indoor arena in Europe with 23,500 seats, surpassing the existing 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena in England.

Birmingham (UK)-based the NEC Group is one of the world’s top venue management companies with world-class expertise in venue and destination management. It operates the NEC, the 8000-capacity International Convention Centre (ICC) in Birmingham, the 900-capacity Vox Conference Venue in Marston Green, the 15,685-capacity Resorts World Arena in Marston Green and the 15,800-capacity Utilita Arena Birmingham in Birmingham, England. It also manages a range of support services, namely, the national ticketing agency, The Ticket Factory, the hospitality brand, Amplify, and the award-winning caterer, Amadeus. The NEC Group has been bringing Live to Life© for over 40 years.

The Oak View Group, LLC (OVG) is an American professional sports and commercial real estate company based in Denver, US. It manages several sports venues, including the 18,300-capacity Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington, which was constructed under the company’s supervision.

‘IQ’ further stated that Dunstan, who brings more than 25 years of experience in the live arena industry, joins Co-op Live from the Birmingham-based NEC Group where he was the Managing Director (MD) of Arenas responsible for the City’s Resorts World Arena and the Utilita Arena for four years. He has also been active for more than a decade with the National Arenas Association holding the positions of Chair, Vice-Chair and Steering Group Member.

In his new role as the GM, Dunstan will oversee the management of the 23,500-capacity venue’s executive team. In addition, he will be influential in guiding the strategic leadership of Co-op Live as the SVP as well as being instrumental in developing its commercial and operational strategy.

Observed Dunstan, “It’s a privilege to be joining the team at Co-op Live and leading the United Kingdom’s largest live entertainment arena after its impressive opening season hosting world-class acts. The design, technology and acoustics of the arena are the best I have experienced throughout my time in the industry so I’m excited to build on its success so far and put Co-op Live further on the world stage to add to Manchester’s cultural legacy and music heritage.”

A joint venture between the Oak View Group (OVG) and the City Football Group, the £365 million Co-op Live has put on over 35 events since opening in May this year with more than 900,000 tickets sold. The venue has already hosted exclusive events including the Eagles’ (American rock band) final UK shows, Pearl Jam’s (American rock band) only indoor concerts on their most recent tour and the first Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in Manchester since 2016.

The City Football Group Limited is a British-based holding company that administers the association football clubs. The group is owned by three organizations of which 81 percent is majority-owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, 18 percent by the American firm Silver Lake and one percent by the Chinese firms China Media Capital and CITIC Capital.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA – a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada (US). It is owned and operated by the TKO Group Holdings, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA promotion in the world as of 2023.

Dunstan’s appointment comes as the Co-op Live confirms over 25 additional shows for the remainder of 2024 including the MTV Europe Music Awards (EMAs), which will be held in Manchester for the first time this November. The upcoming concerts include Paul McCartney (English singer-songwriter and musician), Billie Eilish (American singer-songwriter), Janet Jackson (American singer-songwriter and actor), Glass Animals (English indie rock band), Charli XCX (English singer and songwriter), The Script (Irish rock band), Slipknot (American heavy metal band), Teddy Swims (American singer-songwriter), Andrea Bocelli (Italian tenor), and Sabrina Carpenter (American singer and actor).

Remarked Jess Koravos, President of OVG International, “Guy has a wealth of experience in leading live entertainment venues, so we’re thrilled to be welcoming him to the team at Co-op Live and the wider OVG Group. As we move into the next chapter of the venue’s story, Guy’s leadership will be a significant asset in helping us achieve our goals for Co-op Live to become the most sustainable arena in Europe and a first-choice venue for the artistes and the fans worldwide.”

Kane Burton, who’s CV includes stints as boss of London’s (UK) 20,000-capacity The O2 and the 10,250-capacity Alexandra Palace in North London, and head honcho at the 2,300-capacity LW Theatres in London and Sodexo Live! (food service company), was drafted in at Co-op Live in April amid the venue’s protracted opening.

In its first four months, the arena has also driven forward its commitment to raise £1 million annually for the Co-op Foundation to support good causes alongside wider charitable involvement including a recent donation to Liam Gallagher’s (English singer-songwriter) chosen charity, Happy Doggo (fixing the global street dog problem).

Welcome Dunstan

A ‘LinkedIn Post By Co-op Live’ stated, “The Oak View Group and us are delighted to welcome Guy Dunstan as our General Manager and Senior Vice-President joining the UK’s largest live entertainment arena from October 21^st, 2024.”

The ‘LinkedIn Post By Co-op Live’ further stated, “With over 35 incredible shows under our belt, Guy’s appointment launches us into the next phase of Co-op Live, bringing with him more than 25 years of experience in live events and venues as well as a formative background chairing celebrated industry bodies.”

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