Co-op Live

In our next spotlight on women behind the scenes here at Co-op Live, introducing our Venue Manager, Bethany Farrer. ⭐ What is it that you do? I am a Venue Manager at Co-op Live. ⭐ What do you love about it? I truly fell in love with Venue Management in particular whilst I was on my placement at university. The fact that no day is really the same keeps it exciting, and seeing a full crowd singing along to their favourite artist after months of planning always makes it so worthwhile. I feel like I've been so lucky to work with the people I have up to this point, and I'm excited about where my career will continue to take me. ⭐ What advice would you give to other women who aspire to do what you do? Really put yourself out there in regard to networking and volunteering. Experience and knowledge are always going to be important, but networking and meeting the right people is imperative in aiding progression and getting to where you want to be. I've had the privilege of being involved in so many fantastic opportunities already just through meeting amazing people with a passion for this industry and exchanging experiences and life stories. ⭐ Shout out to a female rolemodel: In the Events Industry specifically, Eilidh Struthers, Mish Thomson and Emma Beszant are such amazing mentors and friends. But my overall female role model would obviously and always be my mam. She inspires me to the best I can be every day and I wouldn't be the woman I am today if it wasn't for her love and support. 

WE'RE HIRING 🎉 We're looking for three passionate new starters to join Co-op Live across an exciting range of roles. ⭐ Senior Guest Experience Manager Work across all operational teams to develop and deliver the guest experience strategy, offering a fully inclusive experience to fans at Co-op Live. ⭐ Senior Maintenance Engineer Become the ‘go-to’ person at the venue for technical and mechanical operations, taking the lead on technical maintenance. ⭐ Sales Executive - Special Events Support the vibrant Special Events team with sales and administrative duties. Find out more about these roles and working at Co-op Live here: https://lnkd.in/e7c4Zu3T

Next up in our spotlight on some of the incredible women making Co-op Live the incredible venue that it is, Premium Sales and Relationship Manager, Frankie White. -- ⭐ What is it that you do?  I work for Co-op Live and I’m part of the team that sells and manages premium spaces in the arena. My main focus is account management of the AMP Club which involves 100+ clients as well as helping to oversee the premium spaces on event days.   ⭐ What do you love about it?  No two days are the same. It's fast paced and at times challenging but equally rewarding. I’ve formed some really great relationships and then getting to be a part of the team on event nights is the ultimate highlight. My only career goal was to work in the live industry, and if 18 year old me could see me now she’d be buzzing. ⭐ What advice would you give to other women who aspire to do what you do?  Just say yes to everything and know that you are just as good as anyone else. Nothing is out of reach just because you happen to be female. Be a positive and hardworking all-rounder early on in your career, and get out there and do it. Volunteer, work the festival circuits, work in venues, work for agencies... the broader your experience the better. ⭐ Shoutout to a female role model  I’d give this shout out to Jessica Webb, owner of GoTo Live, who was one of the first people I worked for in the industry and then freelanced for over many years. She’s fierce and really knew what she was doing but still knew how to have a good time doing it. She’s still killing it now and was actually in the arena before Christmas as a tour manager!

Last week, Co-op Live was named Building of the Year by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, nominated alongside some of the city's most exciting projects and commended for our positive impact on the local community, global visitors to Manchester, our world-leading event programming, and of course, our unique design and fan experience. A huge thank you to all our partners including City Football Group and Co-op, Manchester City Council, and our design and construction leads and suppliers including Populous, Turner & Townsend, Buro Happold, Vanguardia, A Buro Happold Company, and BAM UK & Ireland. Finally, thank you to everyone who has attended the venue or plans to in the future, from our dedicated fans to the artists and their teams bringing the stage to life.

In our next spotlight on the women working tirelessly behind the scenes here at Co-op Live, meet People & Culture Director, Catherine Wallace. ⭐What is it that you do? I lead an inspiring People & Culture team, whose purpose is to ensure that we provide our colleagues with the practical tools, skills, and training to thrive and develop in their roles, as well as a safe and inclusive workplace. ⭐What do you love about it? Working in an industry that creates memories and amazing experiences for others, inspiring the next generation to find a role within the industry, and opening up opportunities for others. ⭐What advice would you give to other women who aspire to do what you do? Build a supportive and collaborative network, trust in your own beliefs, experience, and judgment, and listen! Always view change as a potential opportunity! ⭐Shout out to a female role model. My mum! She raised a family, had a hugely successful career in the medical profession, worked in traditionally male-dominated industries, and often in very difficult environments. She worked tirelessly in a role that was always about giving back and caring for others and is a huge inspiration. #IWD2025

We're spending March highlighting some of the women working hard to deliver the best live entertainment experience here at Co-op Live. Next up, Production Coordinator Lily Maketansky. -- ⭐ What is it that you do? I am a Production Coordinator and aspiring Production Manager.    ⭐ What do you love about it? I love being able to represent women in a male dominated field. I really enjoy being able to be practical and solve problems, and in production I am always kept on my toes. Also, I love being able to build so many legendary gigs from start to finish and see how happy we make the fans and artists.    ⭐ What advice would you give to other women who aspire to do what you do? Don’t be afraid to muck in! Production is hard work, but it is also the most rewarding. It can feel scary to enter a predominantly male career path but ask questions, admit when you don’t know something and learn as much as you can. The more involved you are, the more experience and confidence you will get. (And you’ll also get mega strong from moving kit around all the time!)   ⭐ Shoutout to a female role model: Just one?! My first ever production role model was Nancy Munoz - the Executive Producer of the Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies. I started working with her when I was 14 years old, and she instilled a passion for production in me and the knowledge that women can do ANYTHING!   And I must mention my Co-op Live mentor and queen, Emma Beszant – Production Manager who taught me that literally nothing is impossible when women put their mind’s to it. #IWD2025

To celebrate #IWD2025, we're spending the month turning the spotlight on just some of the incredible women behind the scenes who bring Co-op Live to life each and every day. Starting with our Partnerships Account Director, Stacie Jennifer Lloyd. ⭐What is it that you do? I am a Partnership Account Director. I manage our naming rights partnership with Co-op along with our partnerships with Diageo, Britvic and Moet Hennessy. ⭐What do you love about it? A combination of the people and the unpredictability of each day is what I love most. I enjoy working on a diverse range of projects from creating an activation strategy with our partners one day to taking fans to meet their favourite artist the next. Everyday surprises me and brings something new but ultimately, it’s the people I work with internally and externally that bring the most fun to the job. ⭐What advice would you give to other women who aspire to do what you do? Don't underestimate the power of a part time job early in your journey. If you can get any type of work in a music venue (stewarding, bar work, hospitality etc) it will teach you so much. This industry is fast paced. Confidence and adaptability will set you apart. My part time job at a venue during university instilled that in me. ⭐Shout out to a female role model  Very cliche of me, but my biggest role model is my mum. Her ability to stay positive and keep going in the face of adversity is admirable and something I strive to do daily. 

⭐WE’RE HIRING⭐ Come and join our vibrant team as our brand new Sales Executive – Special Events. We’re looking for a passionate individual with a love of live events and venues to support the Sales team across a large number of exciting private and special events. Are you highly organised and ready to make your mark on the UK’s most celebrated new live entertainment venue? Find out more about the role, and working at Co-op Live here: https://lnkd.in/e7c4Zu3T

It’s been one month since we hosted Young Voices UK for their spectacular celebration to mark Bob Marley's 80th birthday, and we’re still in absolute awe of the 8000+ young people who took part here at Co-op Live, and the many more around the globe.    Thank you to everyone at Young Voices for trusting us with such a special event, and to all those who helped make the day a truly special experience.

⭐ WE'RE HIRING ⭐ Come and join Co-op Live as our brand new Venue Marketing Manager or Venue Event Manager. 🎉 Venue Marketing Manager Drive strategic marketing initiatives for a range of audiences, focusing on corporate clients, event organisers, premium partners and fans. 🎉 Venue Event Manager Refine outstanding ways of working and think outside the box to manage events across the arena to the highest standards. Find out more about these roles, and working at Co-op Live, here: https://lnkd.in/e7c4Zu3T