Christopher BarrettLegends/ASM Global has promoted James Harrison to programming VP UK & Europe.
Harrison, who has 16 years of experience working across venue operators including LW Theatres, ATG and Live Nation, joined ASM Global in 2017. Formerly programming director at ASM Global, in his new role Harrison is responsible for managing Legends/ASM Global UK’s central programming team, overseeing the music, comedy and entertainment bookings for arenas including AO Arena in Manchester, OVO Arena Wembley, Leeds’ first direct Arena, Utilita Arena Sheffield, Utilita Arena Newcastle, P&J Live Aberdeen, and the concert hall division made up of Connexin Live Hull, York Barbican, Sheffield City Hall, New Century Hall Manchester and Becketwell Live Derby.
While overseeing the delivery of an expanded 2025 schedule of more than 1,000 shows across the company’s operated venues, Harrison is also responsible for leading the programming for the upcoming launch of the £46 million Becketwell Live arena in Derby. Owned by Derby City Council, the 3,500-capacity venue is due to open this month.
He will work alongside his colleague James Taylor, who manages the UK/EU Sports and New Business bookings. The company’s new Arenas division comprises senior programming manager Raven Twigg and programming manager Ross Allerton, with fellow programming managers Katie Morgan and Paige Martin, who joined ASM in October from O2 Apollo in Manchester, managing the new Concert Halls team.
The global venue management giant said Harrison has played a pivotal role in the evolution of the business’ central programming resource, streamlining the booking process for promoters, agents and managers, as well as driving a program of sell-out live entertainment across Legends/ASM Global’s burgeoning venue portfolio.
Legends/ASM Global SVP head of programming and content UK, Europe and international Brian Celler said, “James is the rare breed executive who seamlessly straddles both the creative chaos and the business hustle of live music entertainment. He has a deep understanding and instinct for live event touring, a sharp eye for deals that benefit artists, their teams, our venues, and the vision to shake things up. James conceived this new programming structure, and it is setting us up for growth across every level – grassroots clubs to iconic stadiums. We can’t wait to see what his team pulls off next.”
Harrison added, “Shows are the lifeblood of all of our venues, and we in programming are incredibly privileged to be tasked with securing a whole host of different events across our portfolio. I’m very grateful for the trust and belief that ASM Global have placed in me and our team – I believe the team is the best in the business, and our offering is unrivalled. We’re at a very exciting point in the company’s history and I’m looking forward to continuing to lead the programming team and grasping all the opportunities to come.”