The Music Venue Trust has announced that Ministry of Sound chairman Lohan Presencer and Sarah Thirtle, head of business lending programmes at Creative United, will join its board of trustees.
They will sit alongside existing trustees Chris Prosser (Suspicious Marketing/IQ Magazine/ILMC), Sybil Bell (Independent Venue Week), Simon Hilton (REVL8), Jeremy Mills (Mills Keep) and Jason Dorman (Tunbridge Wells Forum).
Thirtle said: ‘Grassroots music venues may be small, but they're mighty. They form a vital part of the foundation for our thriving music industry. They are also the places where friendships are forged, people fall in love, hearts are broken, minds are blown, inhibitions are forgotten, experiences are shared, inspiration strikes, happiness is attained, careers are begun, and music gives meaning to life.
‘Imagine how much poorer would we be if we lost these places that shape our lives as young adults and provide spaces to bring communities together over the years. Grassroots music venues have given me so much: opportunities to grow as a performer and musician, and as a professional in the creative industries. Being involved with the Music Venue Trust is one way I hope to make sure these opportunities aren't lost for others.’
Presencer added: ‘The work that MVT does is critical in highlighting the plight of music venues and supporting their passionate owners and operators with the challenges that they face daily.
‘Music has given me a fantastic career and I’m honoured to be able to support MVT in maintaining and creating more of those opportunities for passionate musicians and music lovers.’
They will sit alongside existing trustees Chris Prosser (Suspicious Marketing/IQ Magazine/ILMC), Sybil Bell (Independent Venue Week), Simon Hilton (REVL8), Jeremy Mills (Mills Keep) and Jason Dorman (Tunbridge Wells Forum).
Thirtle said: ‘Grassroots music venues may be small, but they're mighty. They form a vital part of the foundation for our thriving music industry. They are also the places where friendships are forged, people fall in love, hearts are broken, minds are blown, inhibitions are forgotten, experiences are shared, inspiration strikes, happiness is attained, careers are begun, and music gives meaning to life.
‘Imagine how much poorer would we be if we lost these places that shape our lives as young adults and provide spaces to bring communities together over the years. Grassroots music venues have given me so much: opportunities to grow as a performer and musician, and as a professional in the creative industries. Being involved with the Music Venue Trust is one way I hope to make sure these opportunities aren't lost for others.’
Presencer added: ‘The work that MVT does is critical in highlighting the plight of music venues and supporting their passionate owners and operators with the challenges that they face daily.
‘Music has given me a fantastic career and I’m honoured to be able to support MVT in maintaining and creating more of those opportunities for passionate musicians and music lovers.’
