Introducing the Hull Music Board
Hull has long been a city alive with sound — from grassroots gigs in intimate venues to large-scale festivals that draw crowds from across the UK. The Hull Music Board was established to harness this vibrant energy and ensure that music continues to play a central role in the city’s cultural and economic life.
Bringing together artists, venues, promoters, educators, and industry professionals, the Board acts as a collaborative force to champion Hull’s music scene. Its mission is to support local talent, advocate for sustainable music infrastructure, and amplify the city’s voice on the national stage. Whether it’s shaping policy, creating opportunities for young musicians, or celebrating Hull’s rich musical heritage, the Board is committed to making music accessible, inclusive, and thriving for all.
Hull Music Board, created to drive the city’s five-year Music Plan and ambitions to become a UNESCO Creative City for Music.
The Board will be responsible for the oversight of the delivery of the Music Plan, and provide expert advice and challenge on the development of the wider Culture & Heritage Strategy, and will feed into the new Culture & Heritage Partnership Board for the city.
Our vision if that Music in Hull will play a strategic and active role driving Hull’s reputation as one of the world’s most progressive cities in community-led culture and heritage. Through collaboration, our city will be a global leader and be recognised as a forward-thinking destination and a place to make and experience quality music.
The music plan is presented across the following themes:
1. A focus on inclusion – To harness the inclusivity of music to enable individuals, talent, and communities to have fair and equal access and representation in opportunities, experiences, and decision making.
2. The strength of our stories – To raise Hull’s music profile nationally and internationally through harnessing the potential of UNESCO.
3. Championing our music Infrastructure – Upskilling talent; inspiring education and learning; promoting creative sustainability; building audiences and empowering venues by prioritising live music experiences.
4. The power of relationships – To facilitate active collaborations and networks through sustaining proactive relationships in the city, regionally, nationally, and internationally. Underpinning each of these themes are three core values.
These values will provide a framework to ensure the plan develops a whole system approach to enabling the music ecology of Hull.
The Music Board will:
- oversee all matters relating to the delivery of UNESCO Creative City of Music status including fulfilling all reporting requirements.
- be the strongest possible advocate for Hull delivering on the ambition of the city’s five-year music plan.
- monitor, challenge, support and champion the music component of Hull’ Cultural Strategy and associated strategies.
- Provide a steer for the city in music related activity, acting as a ‘critical friend’ and providing support in the form of advocacy and channels of communication with the relevant stakeholders.
- Champion, promote and celebrate the musical achievement of communities, children, young people and venues across the city.
- To ensure membership of the Board is reflective of Hull being a City of Music.
- To decide which functions of the Board will be delegated to the four sub-groups and and/or other stakeholders /individuals.
- Review these terms of reference on an annual basis.
Find out more about the board members
James Dickinson
My musical journey began learning the French horn with Hull Music Service when it was based in Park Street. I subsequently played in the National Youth Orchestra as well as attending the Junior Department of the Royal College of Music and reading music at Oxford University (Lady Margaret Hall) I worked as a brass teacher, orchestral manager, mastering studio manager and a marketing manager of two IT companies before I was appointed Projects & Activities Manager for Hertfordshire Music Service in 2003. I became Head of Hertfordshire Music Service in 2007. I was elected as a Music Mark (UK Association for Music Education) Trustee in 2016 and served as Chair 2017-2023. I returned to Hull in 2018 as Head of Hull Music Service, based in the Albemarle Music Centre. In September 2024 Hull Music Service became Lead Partner for the Humber Music Hub. My team of 42 instrumental teachers and I are committed to “putting music at the heart of Hull.” I am also a Trustee of Yorkshire Young Musicians and The Warren Youth Project.
Elle Douglas
Elle Douglas is the Creative Manager at The Warren Youth Project: the only youth centre in the country that is part of ACE’s National Portfolio; giving young people in the city access to creativity, with a huge focus on developing young artists in grassroots music.
Elle has 13 years experience in the creative industry and worked as a freelance singer after studying musical theatre, performing for companies such at Hard Rock Cafe and Royal Caribbean. Elle still sings in self-developed vintage music shows, mostly performing at public community events and for people living with dementia.
Elle is excited to be on Hull’s Music Board to advocate for young people and musicians in the city and to ensure, with partners, that Hull’s music scene continues to grow and thrive.
Gerard Gibbons
I am a passionate advocate for grassroots music and venues. A commercially successful leader known for building efficient, profitable businesses and developing creative teams. Committed to sharing skills and experience to support a sustainable future for the music sector in Hull Area (and beyond).
Aims for the Board – To create an inclusive open and exciting agency that engages with all genres within and without Hull, which becomes a nationally recognised positive environment and region for a thriving music sector.
Damien Greco
Hull-born marketing professional with 15+ years’ experience in music, film, and cultural events. He manages campaigns for live music venues, festivals, and promoters, including Social, Humber Street Sesh, and Under The Influence. Damien works across Hull’s creative sector, promoting national and regional talent, developing creative partnerships, and championing Hull’s grassroots scene and live music culture across the North.
“Hull’s music scene has shaped who I am—working in it, going to gigs, watching it grow—so I’m excited to be part of shaping what comes next. The Board feels like a chance to back great ideas, open more doors, and help Hull’s music culture get the recognition it deserves.”
Jenni Harrison
Jenni is a creative director, lifelong champion of Hull’s music and DIY spirit, and a local gig goer. She’s toured and collaborated across the UK creative sectors, working with clients from grassroots projects to internationally known names. Locally, she represents Hull for Independent Venue Week, co-leads Hull Music Net, and mentors local creatives to elevate visions and opportunities.
“Hull already has the creativity, grit, and raw talent, what we need now is the infrastructure and backing to match it. I’ve been around the UK and the people who know Hull already know it’s mint, we are just often overlooked and underestimated by those who don’t care to pay attention. We have something real here. This board is one of the first steps to show the world we’re serious about building a real music industry, one that creates lasting opportunities, raises the bar, and proves we are well worth paying attention to.”
James Meadows
Born and raised in Hull, James is currently the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Chrysalis Records, where he leads on global marketing campaigns for a diverse roster of artists such as Laura Marling, Marika Hackman and De La Soul. With over 15 years in the music industry, he’s gained a trusted reputation and strong network, built on delivering award-winning campaigns that blend creative storytelling with strategic and commercial impact.
Once a former musician and club promoter in Hull’s own vibrant scene, he brings both homegrown grassroots experience and global industry insight. Passionate about developing the next wave of talent and helping shape the future of the industry, he’s proud to give back to the city that shaped his journey.
Councillor Robert Pritchard
Rob feels honoured to live in Hull and has had a varied career, from starting out working in retail, working as a nurse, bank clerk, chief officer of several voluntary and community organisations, and now a City Councillor.
Rob believes everyone needs beauty in their lives and strives to make this a reality, in 2016 he became a HEY volunteer to be part of Hull’s City of Culture year, which brought about a renewed desire to be involved in the creative sector in Hull.
Rob has a passion for his city and loves being involved in making it a better place to live. He loves the arts in all its forms and feels privileged to be the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure, where he gets to meet amazing people from around the city and beyond. Recently he has been involved in the creation of Hull’s cultural strategy and Hull’s application to be a UNESCO creative City.
Sam Ryder
Sam is the General Manager of Connexin Live in Hull and has worked with ASM Global for the past nine years, operating both York Barbican and Connexin Live. With over a decade of experience in venue management and live event production, Sam’s background includes leading operations at major UK venues and working on international festivals. His strategic insight and commitment to supporting local talent make him a valuable addition to the Hull Music Board, where he contributes to shaping a thriving, inclusive music scene for the city.
Sarah Shiels
Sarah Shiels is a music venue director and creative practitioner, working across Hull and Yorkshire. A Director at The New Adelphi Club CIC, musician, and project lead at Goodwin Trust, she is committed to inclusion, youth development, and embedding music at the heart of Hull’s cultural identity.
