The Music Venue Trust (MVT) has revealed details of two new additions to its board of trustees.
The two new members are Ministry Of Sound Group chairman Lohan Presencer and Sarah Thirtle, head of business lending programmes at arts financial services company Creative United.
They join existing trustees Chris Prosser (Suspicious Marketing/IQ Magazine/ILMC), Sybil Bell (Independent Venue Week), Simon Hilton (REVL8), Jeremy Mills (Mills Keep) and Jason Dorman (Tunbridge Wells Forum) to steer MVT’s work.
Sarah Thirtle said: “Grassroots music venues may be small, but they're mighty. They form a vital part of the foundation for our thriving music industry. They are also the places where friendships are forged, people fall in love, hearts are broken, minds are blown, inhibitions are forgotten, experiences are shared, inspiration strikes, happiness is attained, careers are begun, and music gives meaning to life. Imagine how much poorer would we be if we lost these places that shape our lives as young adults and provide spaces to bring communities together over the years. Grassroots music venues have given me so much: opportunities to grow as a performer and musician, and as a professional in the creative industries. Being involved with the Music Venue Trust is one way I hope to make sure these opportunities aren't lost for others.”
Lohan Presencer added: “The work that MVT does is critical in highlighting the plight of music venues and supporting their passionate owners and operators with the challenges that they face daily. Music has given me a fantastic career and I’m honoured to be able to support MVT in maintaining and creating more of those opportunities for passionate musicians and music lovers.”
This year the Trust – which was created in 2014 to protect the UK’s live music network – celebrated a change in planning law (effective from April 2016) that stipulated that local planning authorities will have to consider noise impacts on new residents from existing businesses under an amended permitted development right.
The Trust’s other milestones in 2016 include gathering 500 industry figures at London’s Roundhouse for Venues Day. Later in October, Sir Paul McCartney also pledged his support for the MVT and made a donation to the charity.
FOLLOW 
