Music Venue Trust Welcomes Four New Trustees to Strengthen its Mission

17 December 2023 - Press release

Rhoda Dakar, Jane Beese, Emma Bownes & Arusa Qureshi Appointed to Board

 

Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents almost 900 UK grassroots music venues (GMVs), has announced the addition of four accomplished individuals to its Board of Trustees. These new appointments reflect MVT's commitment to maintaining a diverse and experienced team, essential for guiding its mission and ensuring the well-being of the live music ecosystem.

The following individuals have joined MVT's Board of Trustees:

• Arusa Qureshi – A freelance writer and editor who was recently appointed Music Programme Manager at Summerhall in Edinburgh.
• Emma Bownes - Venue Programming at The O2 arena.
• Jane Beese - Director of Music, Factory International.
• Rhoda Dakar - Musician.

Arusa Qureshi who is a passionate advocate for grassroots music venues, shared her excitement about joining the board stating, “Grassroots venues have been instrumental to my personal journey, and I’m delighted to be joining the board of the MVT to act as a cheerleader for these vital spaces.”

Emma Bownes, who has a wealth of experience in both independent and large-scale venues, said, “My aim in working with the Music Venue Trust is to try and support smaller, grassroots venues with programming and ultimately to try and help them avoid closure.”

Jane Beese, a longtime supporter of MVT, emphasized the critical role the organization plays, stating, “We need to work even harder to unite the live sector to recognize its survival as an ecosystem relies on cooperation and a fair distribution of wealth.”

Rhoda Dakar, a seasoned musician who fronted ska legends The Bodysnatchers, has been a patron of MVT for years and recently a trustee of sister organisation Music Venue Properties. She expressed her commitment to MVT, saying, “My skillset is now more useful to MVT, as I am a working musician and have been part of national campaigns over many years.”

These four new trustees bring a diverse range of skills and experiences to the board, combining operational expertise from the world of venues with a deep understanding of the live music ecosystem. They join existing trustees Bonita McKinney, Phyllis Belezos (Co-Chairs of the Board), Scott Taylforth (Treasurer), Chris Prosser, Simon Hilton, Sarah Thirtle, Jason Dorman, and Jeremy Pritchard.

Bonita and Phyllis expressed their enthusiasm for the new appointments, stating, “We’re delighted to welcome Arusa, Jane, Emma, and Rhoda to the MVT board. Their vast array of skills and experience are very welcome and appreciated, especially as 2024 is looking to be an even more difficult year for our GMV members.”

MVT also extends its enormous thanks to two trustees, Sarah Clover KC and Lohan Presencer, who have stepped down from its board after many years of service.