Co-op Live, the new music and live entertainment arena opening in Manchester in 2023, has announced the appointment of the team that will lead on sales of the arena’s premium hospitality offering. The five-person team is being led by Head of Premium Sales, Becci Thomson, and will be responsible for the sale of 28 suites, 12 lounges and club spaces, and 2196 premium seats.

Thomson’s team has decades of experiences in premium sales and will be based out of Co-op Live’s new HQ in the Northern Quarter. Paula Jupp joins as Senior Sales Manager, bringing extensive experience of the Greater Manchester business scene. Jupp spent 15 years at the Manchester Evening News, latterly as Head of Commercial Business and Events, and, most recently in a strategic role at the city’s inward investment agency, MIDAS.

Alongside Jupp, three Sales Manager have also joined the team at Co-op Live. Maxine Price is a highly experienced professional in Manchester’s entertainment sector, with 20 years in various hospitality sales roles at the existing Manchester arena (current name – AO Arena). Edward Coulson has a decade of commercial expertise across a range of businesses and sectors including real estate, and joins along with Mark Bennett, who has previously worked in sales roles at Manchester City Football Club and Lancashire Cricket Club.

Developer Oak View Group was supported by Elevate Sports Ventures in the search for the team. Co-op Live’s new HQ has been custom designed as an experiential showcase of the venue’s premium spaces. Visits will be available to arrange by appointment.

Becci Thomson, Head of Premium Sales, Co-op Live, said: “Co-op Live has put a lot of focus into the design of amazing premium experiences, and we’re really excited to have this team on board so early in the sales process to deliver on our revenue goals. Paula, Maxine, Edward, and Mark bring a diverse skill-set, passion and deep sales expertise in the Manchester market and I know they are excited to get started.”

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