Christopher BarrettAlex Mahon, who became Channel 4’s first female CEO in 2017, is to take on the role of CEO at festival giant Superstruct Entertainment at a ‘pivotal moment’ for the company.
Superstruct, which was acquired by KKR last year in a 1.3 billion deal, owns more than a dozen major UK music festivals, as part of a portfolio of more than 80 across 10 countries. It was launched by Creamfields festival (70,000) founder and former Live Nation exec James Barton and Roderik Schlosser in 2017. The latter will be succeeded by Mahon this autumn, and he will move to a non-executive director role on Superstruct’s Board.
“Roderik has been instrumental in shaping Superstruct’s journey over the past years,” said Superstruct Barton. “Working alongside and sharing this experience with him has been an honour. What we built together will be an everlasting testament to his vision and skills as a leader. I’m personally delighted that he will continue to contribute to the evolution of our story as a member of the Board, offering continuity, strategic insight, and deep knowledge of the business as we enter our next phase.”
Superstruct Entertainment has also taken on Andrew Fisher as chairman. Fisher is also chair of companies including Rightmove, and his many previous roles include being CEO at Shazam from 2013 to 2018.
Following its inception, Superstruct expanded rapidly, buying up controlling stakes in UK festivals including Y Not (40,000), Bluedot (21,000), Victorious Festival (100,000), Tramlines (40,000), Boardmasters (50,000), NASS (15,000), South West Four (20,000) Truck (10,000) and Kendall Calling (25,000).
Despite Superstruct’s scale, many of its festivals remain members of the Association of Independent Festivals.
Mahon, who is a non-exec on the board at fashion house Chanel, and who was paid the highest salary of any chief executive in Channel 4 history, is understood to be joining Superstruct in the Autumn.
She said, “I’ve long admired the energy, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit that defines Superstruct. It’s a rare kind of business – high-growth, multi-territory, and built by founders who truly understand how to create unforgettable live experiences.
“There’s a clear sense of purpose here: connecting people through culture, creativity, and the joy of shared moments. I’m genuinely excited to join this talented group of creative founders and business leaders to help shape what comes next – with communities, innovation, and emotion at the centre of it all.”
Fisher said, “We are delighted to welcome Alex to Superstruct at this pivotal moment of our development. Her exceptional track record in the creative sector and experience leading complex organisations through growth and transformation make her the ideal leader as we continue to scale our business globally. As we further strengthen our position as one of the leading live entertainment companies in the world, Alex’s vision and leadership will help us deliver even more extraordinary experiences for our millions of fans around the world.”