About DHP Family

Dedicated to live music

Since the opening of our flagship venue Rock City 40 years ago, DHP Family has grown to become a leading name in the live music industry with a deserved reputation for our innovative and creative approach to music production and promotion.

After 10 years of fast expansion, we’ve established ourselves as the biggest independent promoter in the UK, earning a credible reputation within the live industry and winning Music Week’s ‘National Promoter of the Year’ in 2019 and Live UK’s ‘National Concert Promoter of the Year’ multiple times.

We pride ourselves on our big company capabilities but with the same focus on the original ethics that got us here. We deliver an unrivalled experience in promotion, managing all aspects of major indoor and outdoor festivals, national tours and standalone shows across the UK.

DHP Family is constantly expanding, in 2013 we added a brand new London venue, Oslo, to our accomplished roster. This was shortly followed by the purchase and renovation of iconic venue The Garage in Islington in 2016 and the launch of The Grace in 2019. Our venue portfolio also includes Rock City, Rescue Rooms, The Bodega and Stealth in Nottingham and Thekla in Bristol, and is a key part of the business. Our venues are unique, fully equipped and offer customers and artists the best experience possible.

Above all, we’re dedicated to live music. Whether it’s fresh and exciting new talent playing their first show at a 50 cap venue, or a national tour for an established stadium star, we always provide an epic live experience for live music lovers, because we love what we do.

Meet The Family

Get to know just a few of the 400-strong staff we have at DHP Family!

George Akins

George Akins

Managing Director

I have been Managing Director of DHP since 1994. I’ve substantial experience operating, managing and opening venues and expertise in the booking, promotion and production of live music events including major festivals. During my time the business has collected a number of awards in relation to venues and promotions.

Bart Easter

Venues Managing Director

I joined DHP in November of 2008 with a vision to re-establish Rock City as one of the country’s leading nightclubs. After a management re-structure at Rock City we were able develop new revenue streams and increase efficiency to deliver a record profit in 2010 of £1.7m. I am also responsible for overseeing operations at DHP’s venues across Nottingham, London and Bristol.

Anton Lockwood

Anton Lockwood

Director of Live

I’m a huge fan of live music. For sure I listen to albums, watch videos, sit on the train with my mp3 player on and all the rest of it. But nothing in the world beats the feeling of a talented artist, on top of their game giving their all for a an appreciative audience – which is why I’ve been a promoter for over 20 years, so I can help make that happen.

Sophie Power

Head of Creative

I’ve worked for DHP since 2009 when I started on the bar at Rescue Rooms after finishing my degree in Fashion and Brand Promotion and Journalism. Working at Rescue Rooms I met so many amazing people that I still count as my best friends today. Next I moved into head office as Marketing Assistant, before leaning on my design background to become Graphic Designer, Creative Manager and finally Head of Creative in 2017; where I oversee the visual creative output for our venues, festivals and live events.

Anwyn Williams

Head of Marketing

I moved to Nottingham for university in 2010 and ended up staying for the music scene! After many nights in DHP venues, followed by graduation and an internship, I joined DHP in 2014 as a Marketing Assistant. I’ve since worked through various roles in the team before becoming Head of Marketing in 2021. I love that I’ve been able to develop & progress in an industry and with a company that I’m truly passionate about. I’m now responsible for leading the marketing team’s work promoting our shows & festivals.

Michele Somers

Venues Area Manager

I started my career with DHP in 2003 where after choosing to go to University in Nottingham, a decision solely based on the amazing gigs at Rock City I landed a job on the bar. After completing my course, I had no idea what I wanted to do so I carried on working for Rock City – first joining the promo team, then Alt-Tickets until I was offered a Trainee Management position. The rest as they say is history, 19 whirlwind years later I am now the Venues Area Manager overseeing all seven of our amazing venues across three cities.

Dave McDerment

Group Finance Director

I started working for the DHP Family at 19 after coming to Nottingham to study Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham, but ended up on a completely different track. After stints working as a General Manager at our various Nottingham venues I took (and passed!) 15 exams to become a Chartered Management Accountant, and am now the Head of Finance of both DHP and Bildurn.

Julie Tippins

Head of Compliance

I joined DHP in 2010 as Operations Manager, overseeing its venues and its supporting operational functions. I moved to Head of Compliance in 2013 and now am responsible for many legal aspects of the business – including health and safety, licensing and planning matters. I am a member of IOSH and the CIM and play an active role in the licensing discussions within the city.

Tina Edwards

Ticketing Operations Manager

I started working for DHP in 2015 as their Ticketing Operations Manager overseeing all things ticketing.  I came from a ticketing background having worked at See Tickets for several years doing various roles.  The move to an independent Promoter has meant I’m involved in making the decisions, working towards a great customer experience.  I’ve been very lucky I get to work with award winning venues, on record breaking tours, with fantastic artists and with an amazing team of people.

Vindeya Bhuchar

HR Manager

I assist and support in all people issues both at Head Office and the Venues. I am Chartered member of the CIPD and have over 20 years of human resource management experience.  I have extensive experience of HR in a range of industries such as Retail, Consultancy, Education, Public Sector and the UK Civil Service.  I have substantial knowledge of managing all aspects of the employee lifecycle, from employee relations, policy, recruitment, restructure, redundancies, disciplinaries, grievances, development and career planning, through to HR strategy.

Sean Akins

Director

I am a non-executive director of DHP. I have been Managing Director of Bildurn, the sister company to DHP, since 1996 and have wide experience in various property, gaming and leisure businesses that the enterprise has engaged in. I established the Bildurn business in 2000 as vehicle to position the group’s legacy property holdings and to fashion a leading development, management and investment company.

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