Industry News: The Really Useful Group appoints Louise Hughes as COO

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group has appointed new Chief Operating Officer Louise Hughes.

The appointment has been made by Really Useful’s CEO James McKnight, who joined the business in December 2023.

Louise Hughes will manage their legal, operational and business affairs globally, working with the company’s licensing teams across theatrical, live, immersive and themed entertainment, as well as music, consumer products and merchandise.

Hughes comes in as current Director and Head of Legal Martin Lowes is leaving the business to join entertainment business and legal affairs consultancy Jonathan Hull Associates LLP.

Lowes will continue to work with The Really Useful Group on an ongoing basis as a legal consultant.

Hughes joins from entertainment agency The Blair Partnership, where she has held a number of positions, most recently Group General Counsel. Prior jobs include Penguin Random House, The Financial Times, and law firm Gowling WLG.

The company has also announced a number of new hires across theatrical productions, brand and franchise development, music strategy and finance.

These include Isobel Richardson joining as Brand and Franchise Development Director; Ken Marchesi joins as Finance Director from Nederlander Theatres; Aaron Buckingham joins as Head of Music Strategy from Spotify; and Jordana Leighton joins as Senior Brand Manager.

Recent new initiatives for the company include the launch of Box Five, a new digital home for Andrew Lloyd Webber fans; the transfer of Jamie Lloyd’s production of Sunset Boulevard to Broadway; a forthcoming cast album for Starlight Express; and The Phantom of the Opera brand initiatives with Studio MinaLima and Palace Skateboards.

Other recent high-profile hires include Libby Grant as Chief Commercial Officer and Alex Parker as Musical Director.

Alongside Really Useful Group, Andrew Lloyd Webber also owns West End theatre chain LW Theatres, which runs the London Palladium, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Cambridge, His Majesty’s, Gillian Lynne and Adelphi Theatres.

Musicals managed by The Really Useful Group include The Phantom of the Opera, which is currently playing at His Majesty’s Theatre in the West End; Cats, which has recently had a new Off-Broadway reboot; Jesus Christ Superstar, which finished its latest UK tour last month; Evita, which is returning to the West End in a new Jamie Lloyd production in Summer 2025; Sunset Boulevard, which has transferred from London to Broadway this year in Jamie Lloyd’s new production; a huge new reimagining of Starlight Express, which is now playing at the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre; and the forthcoming new UK & Ireland tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. New Andrew Lloyd Webber projects include a stage adaptation of movie The Illusionist, again directed by Jamie Lloyd.

The Really Useful Group operates across theatre, film, and television, working with key partners and developing new projects worldwide.

What They Said

Louise Hughes said: “I’ve spent my whole career specialising in deal negotiation to support the ambitions of world-class teams managing generation-defining intellectual property. It’s an honour to be able to continue this journey with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. The business is setting out on an ambitious and exciting new path, building on all the incredible work that has gone before. I’m hugely excited to be a part of it all and to join the outstanding team already in place.”

James McKnight, said: “I’m thrilled to be reunited with Louise. This is another exceptional appointment for the business as we continue on our mission to extend our reputation as a global innovator in musical theatre and re-focus as a collaborative, experience-led entertainment company. Louise has unparalleled talents for breaking new ground, and extensive experience in strategic global rights development with the ability to find creative and unique solutions to complex issues, which will be powerful in delivering on our ambitious, long term plans for the Really Useful Group. We’re incredibly excited to welcome her to the team.

“We’re delighted to welcome Isobel, Ken, Aaron and Jordana to the team, see Serin take on this critical new brief, and to continue working with Martin in his new role with Jonathan Hull Associates. Their unique perspectives and broad, combined entertainment experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to explore new and diverse opportunities, reach new audiences and deliver on our ambitious global plans for the business.”

Martin Lowes said: “After 11 incredible years with The Really Useful Group, I am excited to begin a new chapter with Jonathan Hull Associates. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities and experiences I’ve had, and for the countless talented colleagues I’ve worked alongside. While I look forward to this new phase of my career, I am delighted to also be able to continue my relationship with The Really Useful Group on an advisory basis.”

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Main photo: Andrew Lloyd Webber's Really Useful Group