The UK’s largest indoor arena, Co-op Live, has announced that Guy Dunstan will join the venue as its new general manager and senior vice president from 21 October 2024.
Dunstan’s appointment follows Rebecca Kane Burton’s time as interim GM, a role she has held since April 2024 when original GM Gary Roden resigned amidst controversy over the venue’s overdue launch and his own interview criticising smaller venues as “poorly run.”
Burton will become executive vice president of venue management for OVG International, where she will lead OVG’s international business development strategy for its facilities, sports, entertainment, and hospitality divisions.
In his new role, Dunstan will oversee the management of the venue’s executive team. He will be influential in guiding the strategic leadership of Co-op Live and also be instrumental in developing Co-op Live’s commercial and operational strategy and will lead the full venue team to continue delivering an exceptional customer experience.
With over 25 years of experience in the live arena industry, Dunstan joins Co-op Live from the NEC Group where he was the managing director of arenas and responsible for the Resorts World Arena and Utilita Arena in Birmingham for four years. Dunstan has also spent 13 years with the National Arenas Association, where he held the positions of chair, vice chair and steering group member.
Dunstan’s new appointment comes as Co-op Live confirms its 40 additional shows for the remainder of 2024, including the highly anticipated MTV EMAs, which will be held in Manchester for the first time this November. These shows will attract global music stars and drive a significant economic boost to the city region.
Since opening in May 2024, Co-op Live has put on over 35 events, with more than 900,000 tickets sold. The venue has hosted the Eagles final UK shows, Pearl Jam’s only indoor concerts on their most recent tour, and the first UFC event in Manchester since 2016.
In its first four months, the arena has also driven forward its commitment to raise £1m annually for the Co-op Foundation to support good causes, alongside wider charitable involvement including a recent donation to Liam Gallagher’s chosen charity, Happy Doggo.
Dunstan said: “It’s a privilege to be joining the team at Co-op Live and leading the UK’s largest live entertainment arena after its impressive opening season hosting world-class acts. The design, technology and acoustics of the arena are the best I have experienced throughout my time in the industry, so I’m excited to build on its success so far and put Co-op Live further on the world stage to add to Manchester’s cultural legacy and music heritage.”
Jess Koravos, president of OVG International, added: “Guy has a wealth of experience in leading live entertainment venues, so we’re thrilled to be welcoming him to the team at Co-op Live and the wider OVG Group. As we move into the next chapter of the venue’s story, Guy’s leadership will be a significant asset in helping us achieve our goals for Co-op Live to become the most sustainable arena in Europe and a first-choice venue for artists and fans worldwide.”
