Manchester's new £365m Co-op Live Arena has named its new general manager as it prepares to open later this year.
The 23,500-capacity venue - whose backers include pop star Harry Styles - is due to open in December at Manchester’s Etihad Campus and will host up to 120 shows a year.
Now Gary Roden has joined as executive director and general manager, following eight years at Ticketmaster where he became senior vice president of client development and commercial.
He will lead the strategic and operational delivery of Co-op Live, a joint venture between Oak View Group (OVG) and City Football Group (CFG).
He said: “I am delighted to be joining Co-op Live, leading the team in Manchester to launch and operate a gamechanging arena experience for both fans and artists. I can’t wait to get started, working with Oak View Group, City Football Group, key stakeholders and partners to launch what is not only set to be a groundbreaking arena for the UK, but one that will see Manchester firmly leading the way globally.”
Jessica Koravos, co-chair of Oak View Group International, notes: “Gary Roden’s experience speaks for itself, and we’re thrilled to have him join an already phenomenal team of exceptional industry leaders, and to continue to drive Oak View Group and City Football Group’s joint vision to deliver world leading, planet friendly entertainment.”
Other backers of the Co-Op Arena are Harry Styles’ record label Erskine Records, and SJM Holdings, which is the holding company of both SJM Concerts and rugby league club Warrington Wolves,
The venue’s team hope it will be “the most sustainable and socially responsible arena in the UK”. It will also donate at least £1m annually to the Co-op Foundation to support initiatives focused on young people, food security, education and sustainability.
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