Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group is continuing to build its senior team, making a number of new appointments with diverse entertainment experience from the likes of Spotify, Disney, Warner Bros., Penguin Random House, The Blair Partnership and BBC Studios.
Following the arrival of James McKnight (ceo), Lawrence Chapman (group cfo) and Libby Grant (cco), Louise Hughes (pictured) joins as chief operating officer.
In her new role, Louise will lead legal, operational and business affairs globally, working in close partnership with the company’s licensing teams across theatrical, live, immersive and themed entertainment, as well as music, consumer products and merchandise.
She joins from J.K. Rowling’s entertainment agency, The Blair Partnership where she held the position of group general counsel.
“I’ve spent my whole career specialising in deal negotiation to support the ambitions of world class teams managing generation-defining intellectual property,” Louise commented. “It’s an honour to be able to continue this journey with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. The business is setting out on an ambitious and exciting new path, building on all the incredible work that has gone before. I’m hugely excited to be a part of it all and to join the outstanding team already in place.”
The company has also made a host of new and recent hires across theatrical productions, brand and franchise development, music strategy and finance.
Serin Kasif returns from maternity leave with a new, expanded brief as business development director (theatrical and live) after 12 years in senior production and licensing roles with the business; Isobel Richardson joins as brand and franchise development director with 19 years’ experience in brand, marketing and franchise management with the likes of Disney, Warner Bros. and Penguin Random House; Ken Marchesi joins as finance director from Nederlander Theatres, where he led UK finance for the last eight years; Aaron Buckingham joins as head of music strategy after more than two decades in the music industry, most recently at Spotify; and Jordana Leighton joins as senior brand manager with 22 years’ experience in licensing and brand management with Warner Bros., BBC Studios and Walker Books.
Martin Lowes, meanwhile, will leave his position as director and head of legal, joining entertainment business and legal affairs consultancy, Jonathan Hull Associates. He will continue to work with The Really Useful group on an ongoing basis as legal consultant.
James McKnight, ceo, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Isobel, Ken, Aaron and Jordana to the team, see Serin take on this critical new brief, and to continue working with Martin in his new role with Jonathan Hull Associates. Their unique perspectives and broad, combined entertainment experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to explore new and diverse opportunities, reach new audiences and deliver on our ambitious global plans for the business.”
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