Damian Morgan

Damian has extensive experience in music management, artist development and performance coaching.

As a manager and consultant, he negotiated recording, publishing and agency deals for dozens of acts in the north of England including Julia Bardo, Working Men’s Club and The Orielles. He got these artists signed and notably saw The Orielles through three albums over a successful 10 years with Heavenly Recordings/[PIAS].

With a career spanning 30 years in the music industry has seen him work with artists from bands such as The Smiths, New Order, The Specials, Oasis, and Happy Mondays. He also represented actors like Matt Berry and numerous TV stars.

From 2013 to 2023 he helped expand BIMM University Manchester in the city. He created their liaison with the wider music industry, providing links to external music business & events professionals, and sourcing career opportunities, internships, and placements.

He was notably responsible for creating their program of Artist Development which resulted in numerous indie and major label signings.

Damian is now a visiting artist development tutor at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts as well as a freelance consultants and mentor.

In 2021 Damian was personally appointed by Andy Burnham to be a member of the Greater Manchester Music Commission, steering music policies across Manchester's 10 regions. As part of this he developed a mentoring scheme for 11–17-year-olds and bursary-led summer school (to launch in 2024).

Also, an active and influential member of Music Managers Forum, a partner member of the Greater Manchester Music Hub and on music therapy charity’s Nordoff & Robbins steering committee and judging panel for their inaugural Northern Music Awards.

A regular speaker on industry panels, and recently a mentor for SXSW's career development scheme as part of their 2023 conference in Austin, Texas.

As a moderator and skilled interviewer Damian has conducted onstage (and online) conversations with dozens of high-profile industry figures including Will Young, KT Tunstall, Idles, Public Enemy, Bat for Lashes, Annie Mac, Columbia Records, Universal Publishing, Happy Mondays, Wolf Alice, Self Esteem, Michael Eavis and Nadine Shah.

I have known Damian for 15 years now in both a professional and friendly capacity. I have followed the artists that he has developed and managed and have seen the vast creative and business growth in these artists with Damian’s professional guidance. They are usually very young artists who need a caring and nurturing hand which Damian definitely supplies.

I have contacted on many occasions for professional advice and he has always been forthcoming with this and his wealth of Music Industry knowledge has helped guide me on many occasions. He is one of the few people in the industry who genuinely cares about artists, venues, crews and everyone involved in the industry. This is what makes him such a good manager and colleague to work with.