Rebecca Kane Burton, appointed CEO of a £365 million venue in April, faced the challenge of recovering from a tumultuous start that included her predecessor’s sudden resignation.
Through strategic leadership, she navigated significant setbacks and successfully turned around the venue’s public image, earning her a significant promotion.
A Challenging Beginning
Rebecca Kane Burton, who was appointed CEO of the £365 million arena near Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium in April, took over following her predecessor Gary Roden’s resignation. The resignation came amidst significant setbacks and delays, which drew national attention.
Roden’s departure was precipitated by the high-profile cancellation of comedian Peter Kay’s opening gigs. This cancellation laid bare the venue’s lack of preparedness, undermining its public image. Furthermore, remarks Roden made to the BBC about the poor management of smaller music venues did little to ameliorate the situation.
Leadership and Turnaround
Under Kane Burton’s leadership, the venue has seen a rapid and significant transformation. Her strategic direction and determination have been crucial in repairing and enhancing the arena’s reputation.
The successful recovery of the venue under her stewardship has not gone unnoticed. Rebecca Kane Burton has now been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of Facilities Management at Oak View Group International (OVG), an accolade reflective of her substantial contributions.
Expanding Responsibilities
In her new role, Kane Burton will be responsible for international business development strategy for OVG’s facilities and its sports and entertainment hospitality sectors. This will be managed from her new office in London.
She will also oversee OVG’s service offerings at several iconic locations, including Wembley Stadium, St. Andrew’s at Knighthead Park, and Murrayfield Stadium. This expansion of responsibilities highlights her capacity to handle complex, high-stakes environments.
Past Experiences
Before her transformative work with the arena, Kane Burton held several prominent positions. These included CEO of Sodexo Live, CEO of LW Theatres, and Vice President and General Manager of The O2 Arena.
Her extensive experience in managing large-scale venues and events has been instrumental in her success at OVG.
Kane Burton’s track record speaks volumes about her ability to lead and deliver results in the live entertainment industry.
Industry Recognition
Jessica Koravos, President of OVG International, praised Kane Burton for her incredible and proven track record. Koravos emphasised Kane Burton’s instrumental role in the success of the arena’s opening season.
Koravos expressed her gratitude for Kane Burton’s leadership and confirmed her excitement for the future. She stated, ‘All of us at OVG would like to thank her for her leadership in guiding the venue through its launch period to its emergence as a world-class venue.’
Chris Granger, President of OVG 360, also highlighted the importance of Kane Burton’s extensive experience and leadership. He mentioned, ‘Rebecca’s extensive experience and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow.’
Looking Forward
Kane Burton herself noted the significance of joining OVG at this juncture, characterising it as a pivotal time due to the company’s international growth. She remarked, ‘OVG has quickly become the global leader in venue management and premium hospitality services.’
She looks forward to broadening OVG’s impact on the fan experience with new partners in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa.
Rebecca Kane Burton’s enthusiasm for the future is palpable, as she aims to further expand OVG’s services and reputation on a global scale.
Rebecca Kane Burton’s adept handling of the venue’s initial challenges not only salvaged its reputation but also secured her a prominent position within Oak View Group International.
Her new role will leverage her considerable expertise to oversee business development and hospitality services on a global scale.
