Industry News

SMG Europe appoints GM for Hull Venue

Sports and entertainment venue operator SMG Europe has appointed Dan Harris as general manager of Hull Venue, which is due to open in the English city next summer.

Harris will oversee the management of the 3,500-capacity venue alongside The Baths Hall and The Plowright Theatre in nearby Scunthorpe.

Hull Venue will serve as a music and events complex and will be located on Myton Street, near the Princes Quay shopping centre.

It is hoped that the arena will host corporate conferences, exhibitions, trade events, concerts, stand-up comedy events, family shows and sporting events.

The venue will be able to operate at a reduced capacity of 2,500 and a 1,400m2 exhibition space plus 800-capacity conference auditorium.

Harris will be joined on the senior management team by Paul Savage, the recently-appointed head of entertainment sales and marketing for all three venues.

John Sharkey, executive vice-president of SMG Europe, said: “Dan has been instrumental in the success of our two Scunthorpe venues and I’m delighted to announce we’re now expanding his role to cover our new project in Hull. This new organisational structure, led by Dan, allows us to better programme content across all three venues as we continue to synergise our offering in the north.”

Harris added: “Following this year’s hugely successful City of Culture 2017 in Hull, entertainment in the region is now firmly on the agenda and I’m looking forward to leading the team across all three venues as we keep the momentum alive. In addition to bringing the best in live entertainment and sporting events to all three venues, we’re also working closely with national conference and exhibition organisers to ensure both our new and existing venues offer a wide and varied programme.”

SMG Europe’s venue portfolio also includes First Direct Arena in Leeds, Manchester Arena, Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena and the York Barbican.

Image: AFL Architects