LIVE join forces with Small Green Shoots

15 November 2024 - Press release

Honey Ferdinand Appointed Communications Coordinator

LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), which represents 15 live music industry organisations, has joined forces with Small Green Shoots, the UK charity dedicated to increasing career prospects for underrepresented young adults through paid training placements and secondment opportunities with a wide range of music industry partners.

Under this new programme LIVE will offer apprenticeship and employment pathways into the UK live music industry to help ensure long-term, stable careers as opposed to short-term, low-earning and unsustainable intern contracts.

The first appointment under this new initiative is Honey Ferdinand, who has taken up the role of Communications Coordinator at LIVE.

Working closely with LIVE CEO, Jon Collins and Head of Partnerships, Gaby Cartwright, Honey will be based in London and will oversee the online presence of LIVE while developing an image and identity for the organisation that aligns with its values and ethos.

Honey joins LIVE from 4th Floor Creative at Sony Music and since securing her first opportunity in the music industry at 18 has had experience within a variety of sectors including live events production, digital marketing and artist management.

Honey Ferdinand said, “I am really excited to be a part of LIVE and to be working with an organisation that is not only a fantastic advocate for the live music industry but puts tackling the big issues affecting our sector front and centre as part of its overall mission.”

Makeda McMillan CEO of Small Green Shoots said, “We are overjoyed about Honey starting her new role as Communications Co-Ordinator and our partnership with LIVE. Joining our 8-week sharps programme last year and then moving onto Sony 4th floor for our 6-month internship programme she has proven her dedication, work ethic and hunger for pursuing a career in the sector. A true example of what SGS stands for and we are excited to see her thrive in the role and what she does next!”

Gaby Cartwright, Head of Partnerships at LIVE said, “Small Green Shoots do incredible work helping create pathways into the music industry for talented young adults who might otherwise never get a chance to pursue their ambitions. We are really excited about the opportunities we can create together and in Honey we are welcoming someone who is super smart, creative and energetic and who will add real value to our wider team.”

Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE said, “Our new relationship with Small Green Shoots will allow us to access a wealth of untapped talent and to ensure our recruitment policies are inclusive and supportive of everyone wanting to work in live music. Communicating what we do and promoting the work being done by the wider live music industry, particularly in the digital space, is hugely important and Honey will bring passion and energy to this key role and play a major part in increasing the visibility and reach of our activities.”