Stephen Murtagh, Mba Email & Phone Number

Rg45

Saudi Arabia - Working Remotely

Managing and leading on the development of all performing arts venues at NEOM. Overseeing the delivery of all performing arts venues planned for The Line, working within NEOM’s Culture department, supporting The Line and Urban development teams.

London And Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Advising our partners both in the UK and Saudi Arabia. In the U.K. my role involves a mixture of business development and project management. Working on a wide variety of leisure/entertainment projects. Sela-Sport (a major sports and Marketing organisation) on a series of exciting and tremendously successful entertainment projects, including the very first theatre in a tent as part of the inaugural Dammam, Jeddah & Riyadh Seasons (comprising over 100 events & 3,000 activities across 12 distinctly different and geographically dispersed zones, estimated visitor no’s. 5-6M). The project was been so successful that the Riyadh Season was extended by three months. Saudi Arabia is a fascinating territory to be working in at present, as the Kingdom embarks on a deliberate strategic move away from an oil-based economy to one founded on knowledge, leisure and tourism. There are some spellbinding projects coming on stream in the next few years, that will help to open up the Kingdom, for the enjoyment of both domestic and international tourists

Riyadh, Riyadh Region, Saudi Arabia

Squares is a well established and successful event management and entertainment company working for a wide variety of both private and public companies throughout KSA and beyond. They have the capability of making your dream event a reality, by using their extensive partnership network and their highly creative team.

Planned career break following double family bereavement.

London, United Kingdom

Member of the Senior Management Team, accountable for all the charity’s commercial operations, including conference facilities, theatre, live music venues, car parking and bars; led team of five Section Heads with oversight of £multi-million annual budget. Administered outsourced Catering and Maintenance contracts, and handled H&S and Fire Risk compliance. ♦ Outsourced maintenance provision; enabled provision of greatly improved service and significantly reduced labour costs.♦ Adopted proactive sales approach to achieve 43% growth in conference revenues; boosted bar income by 54% and optimised car parking charges. ♦ Project-managed refurbishment of main bar and theatre / Green Room; increased bookings and exposure for live music venue and hosted a series of successful music gigs.♦ Maintained estate buildings in excellent condition; executed all planned, reactive and small-scale capital projects; liaised closely with estate tenants, and ensured high standards of service and satisfaction.♦ Embedded health and safety culture at all levels of the company; circulated tailored H&S policy documents and Fire Risk assessments; oversaw regular regime of audits and inspections.

London, United Kingdom

Headhunted to research a number of speculative leisure-related projects and business opportunities across the UK.

South East

Promoted to oversee management of Live Nation’s 12 theatres across the south of England, including staff recruitment and training; accountable for >240 full-time employees and >600 casual workers and volunteers. Closely supervised all aspects of operations, from ticket sales to HSE compliance; uplifted performance standards and enhanced the customer experience. Worked with Group Human Resources on General Manager succession planning. ♦ Formed excellent stakeholder relationships; engaged constructively with LA partners, suppliers, contractors, theatre staff and unions to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.♦ Surpassed financial targets; reorganised internal structures that slashed labour costs by £250K pa; realised P&L turnover of £37M and £3.9M EBITDA in 2011 – 2012.♦ Pioneered introduction of per ticket Restoration Levy that generated >£2M across the estate, ring-fenced to maintain and improve the company’s property portfolio.

London, United Kingdom

Headed three of the largest theatres in the West End: appointed General Manager of Apollo Victoria Theatre; promoted to manage Dominion Theatre in 1994; and tasked with supervision of Lyceum Theatre refurbishment. Accountable for P&L and preparation of annual zero-based budgeting exercise; reviewed monthly performance and adjusted figures to create more accurate forecasts.♦ Raised revenues; achieved 30% increase in overall customer spend per head with additional sales outlets and attractive marketing initiatives.♦ Generated £250K EBITDA pa with development of a new 2,500 sq ft dance rehearsal studio space.♦ Promoted several non-core revenue streams, including use of theatre by a church every Sunday, realising over £500K pa.♦ Encouraged Board investment in major theatre refurbishments and oversaw their implementation; ensured conservation of legacy features while enabling substantial building improvements.

London, United Kingdom

Joined senior management team; oversaw day-to-day business operations, with line management accountability for six departments and >100 staff. Managed contract catering relationships and maximised corporate hospitality opportunities.♦ Played key role in Save Our Zoo campaign; conducted comprehensive staff restructuring exercise that contributed to >£3M savings.

Accountable for all non-curatorial facilities and commercial areas, including security cleaning, retail and catering.♦ Promoted Corporate Hospitality, not factored into original budgets, to add significant new revenue stream.

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Managed operational aspects of one of Jeddah’s busiest sports clubs; provided wide cross-section of activities for local and expat communities. ♦ Successfully promoted 10K fun run and raised >£20K for Sports Aid; attracted national TV coverage.

Dhahran And Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Responsible for planning and programming a diverse range of activities for the 3,000 resident ex-pat communityAfter my initial two year contract, I was invited to return for a years contract at their Head Office in Riyadh.

Masters Business Administration, Business, Pass

Iosh, Health & Safety, Pass

Postgraduate Degree In Education (Pgce), Arts, Pass

B.A. Hons, Ceramics & Printmaking, 2:I

Bachelor Of Arts - Ba, 3-D Design - Ceramics With Printmaking, 2:I

Bachelor Of Fine Arts - Bfa, 3-D Design - Ceramics With Printmaking, 2:I