LONDON (CelebrityAccess) – Ben Sharman has officially been named the new director of booking for Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor music arena, effective today (January 8), as reported by MusicWeek.
This announcement comes alongside a shift in roles for Katie Musham, Co-op Live’s director of strategic programming, who is moving into Oak View Group International. Masham will continue to develop the arena’s bespoke events lineup while assisting Oak View Group with its expansion plans across Europe and beyond.
The year ahead promises an exciting lineup for Co-op Live, with performances slated from global stars such as Sabrina Carpenter, Tyler, the Creator, Bruce Springsteen, Lionel Richie, and Hans Zimmer.
Sharman brings over a decade of experience in live events and entertainment. His journey with NEC Group began in 2014 in the commercial partnerships department, eventually moving into arena programming in 2017. By late 2022, he had risen to the role of head of programming for both Utilita Arena Birmingham and BP Pulse Live, achieving significant financial success with events such as Genesis’ The Last Domino? Tour and Peter Kay’s Better Late Than Never tour. Sharman also played a crucial role in delivering the 2022 Concert for Ukraine, which raised £13 million for the Disasters Emergency Committee.
In his new role at Co-op Live, Sharman stated: “Joining Oak View Group and Co-op Live is an exciting new chapter in my career after an incredible 11 years at NEC Group, for which I’m deeply grateful. When the chance to work with the UK’s largest arena came up, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I’m looking forward to applying my experience in venue programming and leveraging industry connections to solidify Co-op Live as a must-play venue on the global stage.”
Gary Hutchinson, executive vice president of global touring and content at Oak View Group International, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Ben Sharman to Co-op Live. His career accomplishments, extensive expertise, and strong industry ties make him an ideal leader for our booking strategy. We’re confident that Ben’s vision will enhance Co-op Live’s standing as a premier venue for world-class events and uphold our legacy of hosting top-tier global talent.”
