New initiative also brings changes to the
Barbican team, with promotions for Anthony Hyde and Samme Allen.
Following substantial research, planning and client feedback, the Barbican has re-organised its commercial events departments. The newly created team, titled Barbican Business Events, will be headed up by Anthony Hyde, who takes on the role of General Manager. In addition to the Barbican’s well known venues, Anthony’s role will also encompass the introduction of several new venues including a new 608 seat capacity space. Barbican Business Events, General Manager, Anthony Hyde: “During the last few years we have witnessed huge upheaval across the events industry. Whilst the Barbican’s offering has remained strong it was clear that we needed to embrace changes if we were to maintain our cutting edge reputation. In particular, we want to work more consultatively with our clients, whilst capitalising on our arts expertise – bringing more creativity and rich content to events.”
Barbican Business Events will bring together the venue’s rich heritage and history in the performing arts and their professional expertise within the corporate events sector.
Anthony continues: “The Barbican was built as a combined arts and conference centre; this new approach to corporate events is based on stronger, more in-depth partnerships with our artistic, creative learning and development teams. Such a focus on key partnerships will also extend to long term catering providers Searcys. Bringing creativity to the business environment will lead to more engaging, exciting and ultimately successful events.
“The whole centre has bought into this new concept of delivering events along with our mission statement, which is – Working to provide content led creative solutions where arts and business come together to invigorate creativity and learning.”
To ensure the success of Barbican Business Events, Anthony Hyde moves up to the role of General Manager, Business Events, overseeing the event sales, event management and technical production departments. This move will see Anthony working more closely with the Barbican’s development and arts teams for the benefit of all corporate clients. Samme Allen, previously Business Development Manager has been promoted to Head of Sales. She will work alongside Head of Event Management, Lee Dobson and Head of Technical Production, Chris Wheal.
In the run up to the launch of Barbican Business Events several events have trialled elements of the new Business Events offering. This has included theatrical style themeing for one event; a keynote address from one of the Barbican’s director’s at another; and performances from members of the youth ensemble World in Motion Drumming at another. Other projects currently in development include research being undertaken by the Creative Learning department in local community groups that can then be used to generate content for Business Events.
This creative approach will take events at the Barbican to new heights, particularly when combined with the potential offered by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama’s new venue – Milton Court. Spaces available include:
* a 608-seat Concert Hall * a 227-seat Theatre * a Studio Theatre
Anthony concludes: “The development of this new style of creating events has been an in-depth and highly focused project. We have worked with clients, suppliers and key individuals within both the arts and corporate events arena to ensure we are providing the best possible combined services, with access to both highly professional event organisers as well as leaders in various artistic fields. Corporate clients have already been approached to discuss this offering in more detail and the response has been incredibly positive, with huge potential for the future.”
The Barbican is a world-class arts and learning organisation, pushing the boundaries of all major art forms including dance, film, music, theatre and visual arts.
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