BA (Hons) English Literature and Journalism
Graduated 2010
I joined BNU in 2007 to study BA English Literature and Journalism. I had always been interested in the music industry, so I chose journalism with the aim of becoming a music writer. While studying, the university hosted many live music events, which gave me the opportunity to review and photograph bands for the university newspaper, where I was also the Entertainment Editor.
After graduating, the university helped me secure an internship at a music industry magazine, which led to a career in music publicity specialising in electronic and pop music. I spent eight years working in PR, running campaigns for major artists including Swedish House Mafia, deadmau5 and Marshmello, as well as managing press events for singles, albums and live shows.
In 2019, I moved into artist management, managing Pendulum and Knife Party, who had previously been PR clients. In 2021, I founded my own artist management company and now work primarily across the rock and metal genres, representing artists such as Tesseract, Trash Boat, Modestep and BBC Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe. Alongside this, I regularly speak on music industry panels and have taught at BIMM, as well as returning to BNU to deliver guest lectures.
What are your memories of being a student at BNU?
Coming of age surrounded by like-minded people was a really positive experience for me, there was a vibrant community at BNU and I made friendships that have lasted to this day. Some of those people now work alongside me in the music industry and have gone on to build great careers of their own.
There was always something happening socially, with lots of events and opportunities to get involved. As someone who loves music, being able to see bands I admired performing so close to my halls of residence was an incredible experience. Coming from a small village in the North, being in Wycombe opened up a world of opportunity and exploration that I hadn’t experienced before.
What advice could you give to recent graduates who want to get ahead?
I think it’s important to maintain a positive attitude towards the job market. It’s tougher than ever, but if you have a particular industry or sector in mind, persistence really matters, chip away at it and gain as much experience as you can. If you’re able to start gaining experience while still at university, that can make a huge difference.
After graduating, I moved between journalism, promoting, PR and artist management. I always knew I wanted to work in music, but I stayed open-minded about the roles available to me. Using the connections I made at university as a starting point, I worked hard to build new relationships across the industry. That openness and willingness to explore different paths ultimately led to me starting my own business.
How did your degree at BNU impact on your career?
Although my degree wasn’t specifically music-focused, BNU has a very strong music management course, and that’s where I met many of my closest friends. Fifteen years later, the fact that I’m still working with those same people says a lot about the lasting impact the university has had on my career.
Why did you join the course?
Honestly, location played a big part in my decision. Wycombe is over 100 miles from my hometown, and its proximity to London, with its events, venues and key industry contacts felt incredibly valuable. I do often say that I wish I’d studied music management instead, but I’ve always loved books and reading, so I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to study literature alongside journalism.
Which parts of your student experience were the best preparation for your job?
Moving to a larger town and living independently helped build my confi dence and sense of adulthood. The university provided a lot of support during that transition, helping me move from being a teenager living at home to becoming fully independent. The encouragement of independent learning alongside independent living gave me confi dence and optimism about my future when I left university.
What are your major careers milestones since completing your studies?
BPI/ RIAA Awards
● Deadmau5 ft. Rob Swire - Ghosts N Stuff (RIAA 2x Platinum)
● Marshmello ft. Khalid – Silence (BPI 2x Platinum)
● Alan Walker – Faded (BPI 2x Platinum)
● Alesso – Heroes (BPI Platinum)
● Tiësto ft. Post Malone – Jackie Chan (BPI Platinum)
● Tiësto, Jonas Blue & Rita Ora – Ritual (BPI Silver)
● Alesso – Cool (BPI Silver)
Live Shows
● Award from Live Nation and The O2 for my fi rst arena headline show
● Sold-out shows at Alexandra Palace and two nights at Brixton Academy
● Main Stage festival performances at Download, Reading & Leeds, and Boomtown
What are your future ambitions?
My ambition is to continue growing and expanding my management company, working with more artists I love and building a larger team. While I currently work predominantly with rock and metal artists, I’d love to expand into electronic music and eventually run both Unholy Rock and Unholy Electronic as parallel divisions.
What advice would you give to a student considering the course or looking to get into a career in your sector?
My specifi c course no longer exists, but if you’re considering music management, absolutely do it. I genuinely wish I had. The course, the lecturers and the students are an incredibly passionate and driven group. The connections you make will stay with you for life, and you’ll meet people who can help you build your career while also allowing you to support and grow alongside others in the industry.