The WMMB Board Members

Nick is the CEO of B:Music the Birmingham-based music charity that manages the Town Hall and Symphony Hall – the city’s two iconic concert halls.

Along with the senior management team, Nick oversees the strategic direction and day-to-day management of the charity, feeding back to the board through a regular cycle of full board meetings and sub-groups. Many of B:Music’s trustees bring professional experience in areas such as law and finance, providing both support and scrutiny to the work of the executive.

Nick grew up in Birmingham and went to his first gigs at venues such as Barbarella’s, Birmingham Odeon and the Top Rank. Since then his whole working life has been in music, presenting thousands of gigs and leading venues in England, Wales and Ireland. Nick believes that live music is a fundamental force for good that brings people together and enhances lives. He is proud to be part of the West Midlands Music Board, working to support the music sector across the region.

Lisa is the Artistic Director and CEO of Birmingham-based Capsule which she co-founded in 1999,  Capsule has grown into a leading curator/producer of experimental music and art, showcasing international artists, nurturing home-grown talent and celebrating counter culture.

Capsule is responsible for a number of high-profile projects, including the internationally renowned Supersonic Festival, an experimental music and arts festival.

Since 2003 Supersonic Festival has been hosting superior weekends for the adventurous audience, taking care to present only the most artistically relevant and irreverent acts from the UK and across the globe. Supersonic Festival in 2019 was named ‘The UK’s best small festival’ by The Guardian, with a 5* review. The Independent described Supersonic as ‘a true alternative to the alternative’ and in 2017 topped The Guardian’s list as the best International Experimental music festivals, with a 5* review from Arts Desk & The Quietus named Supersonic as the best European festival for new music.

Lisa was responsible for conceiving and curating the Home Of Metal heritage project, Home of Metal’s exhibitions and events join the dots between music, social history, visual art and fan cultures to produce a new perspective on Heavy Metal. One that is celebratory, eschews notions of high/low art and joins audiences and performers together. Home of Metal is devoted to the music that was born in and around Birmingham. Music that turned up the volume, down-tuned guitars, and introduced a whole new meaning to the word ‘heavy’. Having created  an expansive international programme of exhibitions & events, first exhibited in 2011, reaching 200,000+ people. The 2019 programme engaged with 350,000 people, with visitors from 52 different countries.

She was also the Curator and Producer of the Discovery Season for largest library in Europe. Lisa was an Honorary Research Fellow at Digital Humanities Hub, University of Birmingham & resident at Pervasive Media Studio. She plays a strategic role to influence policy in the Cultural/Creative Industries in the Midlands & beyond, appointed to the Midlands Area Council, Arts Council England (2013 – 2018). Lisa has been a guest assessor for PRS Foundation, and nominator for Paul Hamlyn Foundation and the Arts Foundation, a judge for the sound art category for the Ivor Novello Award (2020) and is the lead mentor for Sound and Music’s Curator/Composer programme.

Alicja is a leader, activist and the Founder and Director of Centrala, an independent arts venue in Birmingham’s Digbeth neighbourhood.

Launched in 2014, Centrala is the only publicly-funded gallery of its kind and the only advocate for Central and European art and artists outside London.

It was born out of Alicja’s dedication to community development, social action and social justice, which is rooted in years of professional experience and involvement in promotion of equality and human rights.

Over the past eight years Centrala has established itself as a nationally and internationally recognised centre for Central and Eastern European art and artists.

Its mission is all-embracing: powerful advocates for social integration, bringing together diverse audiences under one roof to share, explore, debate and connect with high quality art and events, including live music.

Guy is NEC Group Managing Director for Ticketing and Arenas, which includes national ticketing agency The Ticket Factory and two of the UK’s leading live entertainment venues: Resorts World Arena and Utilita Arena Birmingham.

These two venues both hold 15,000 plus capacities with Resorts World Arena at 15,685 and Utilita Arena Birmingham 15,800.

Guy has worked at the NEC Group for more than 20 years and has led the multi million pound redevelopments of both Arenas, securing numerous high-profile events including delivering the last ever Black Sabbath concert in their home city.

Guy is a member of the National Arenas Association (NAA) steering group, having Chaired the Association from 2013-2015. He was responsible for implementing the NAA’s Safety Advisory Group and was responsible for training courses in emergency planning, crisis management and disability awareness. Guy was also a founding member of the International Association of Venue Management Europe (IAVM).

Working with bands and songwriters, Reuben has developed a reputation as a highly skilled, reliable and sought-after freelance musician & guitar tutor from the Birmingham music scene.

Through his works as a music director, contributions & collaborations with numerous songwriters/producers and his experience working with acclaimed artists, he is known for his versatility, tireless enthusiasm and high standards.

With a band comprising some of Birmingham’s exciting young talent, Reuben performs an eclectic mix of original compositions, adventurous music and modern standards.

Reuben has also taught in schools across the country, as well as providing mentoring for the professional and artistic development of young musicians.