Paul Reed has joined The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) as full-time General Manager, with former GM Claire O’Neill staying as a Senior Manager. 

The AIF has grown from 15 to almost 50 members in its first five years and as the festival sector grows, AIF is now in a position to improve its offering. Live music contributed more than £2bn to UK tourism last year, with £213m entering the UK economy from AIF member festival-goers alone. The addition of a full-time General Manager ensures that the association will be better resourced to continue uniting and empowering the independent festival industry, with a 2014 remit that includes secondary ticketing, marketing, finance, sustainable event management, crime and police resourcing. 

Reed has an extensive background in the live industry, both in gig promotion and also working as artist liaison and stage manager at major UK festivals including Evolution and Secret Garden Party. He also worked for three years at music development agency Generator in a wide ranging role that included managing their live music programmes before going on to edit their industry newsletter The Gen. 

More recently Reed was Head of Operations at classical music centre The Conservatoire before moving this year to the position of Operations Manager at festival event management company The Event Umbrella. 

Reed will oversee the day-to-day operations of the AIF, with O’Neill focused on developing new projects and AIF’s busy events schedule.    

The AIF was founded by BBC Radio 1 DJ and Bestival founder Rob da Bank and his long-time manager and Bestival Director, Ben Turner. They wanted to create a powerful partnership that would also nurture the festival sector, and went to AIM founder Alison Wenham to help them achieve their vision. 

The AIF has initiated various partnerships including a BBC Introducing scheme offering top emerging acts an opportunity to perform at some of the UK’s largest and most diverse festivals.     

AIF co-founder Ben Turner said: "After five formative years working to make AIF an integral part of the live festival business in the UK, it’s time to step up a gear. We've grown from a founding number of 15 festivals to close to 50, and is a good time to ramp up the executive team who can help drive our vision forwards. Paul came highly recommended from one of our initial board members, and we're thrilled to integrate him into our committed team as we help to ensure the independent sector continues to thrive and evolve." 

AIF Chairman Alison Wenham said: “We are delighted to welcome Paul to the AIF. His enthusiasm and expertise will ensure the AIF will continue to grow and meet the needs of its members”.    

AIF General Manager Paul Reed said “I can’t say how pleased I am to be joining the AIF as General Manager and I am very excited about the opportunities ahead. I’m also looking forward to working closely with Claire and the rest of the team to realise the full potential of the AIF for its members .We will be banging the drum to promote and expand the independent festival sector in every way possible.”