About Damian Morgan

For a long time, I struggled to answer one simple question: "What do you do?"

At different points I've been a music manager, an agent, a lecturer, a mentor, a consultant, a trustee, a promoter and someone who simply enjoys introducing the right people to one another. The truth is that I've never fitted neatly into one job title because my career has always been built around the same idea: helping people and organisations create opportunities that genuinely make a difference.

I began working in music more than twenty-five years ago, managing artists, developing careers and learning first-hand how unpredictable this industry can be. Along the way I've worked with artists including Terry Hall, Mike Joyce, Ibibio Sound Machine, Working Men's Club, Georgian and hundreds of emerging musicians taking their first steps into the industry. Those experiences taught me that success rarely comes from chasing trends. It comes from building strong relationships, making thoughtful decisions and playing the long game.

Over time my work expanded beyond artist management. Universities began asking me to help students bridge the gap between education and the real music industry. Councils and cultural organisations wanted support designing programmes that would strengthen local music communities. Festivals invited me to mentor artists, chair panels and help shape talent development. Before long I realised that what connected all of these roles wasn't a job title, but a way of working.

Today I divide my time between artist development, higher education and consultancy. As Artist Development Specialist at the Royal Northern College of Music, I work with emerging musicians preparing for professional careers, while through 70Twenty10 I partner with artists, universities, festivals, councils and cultural organisations on projects that bring together strategy, education and industry knowledge. I'm also proud to serve on the board of Liverpool Sound City and contribute to the Greater Manchester Music Commission, helping shape conversations about the future of music across the region.

One of the things I enjoy most is connecting places as well as people. My work increasingly takes an international perspective, creating partnerships that allow artists, educators and organisations to learn from one another. Recent projects include developing long-term relationships between Manchester and Japan, creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and exploring how music can strengthen international collaboration beyond touring alone.

People often tell me that I don't speak in music industry jargon, and I take that as a compliment. I've always believed good advice should be understandable, practical and honest. Whether I'm mentoring a student, advising an artist, speaking at a conference or working with a university leadership team, my aim is to make complex ideas feel accessible and to help people move forward with confidence.

The organisations and artists I work with trust me because I've experienced this industry from multiple perspectives. I've sat in management meetings, negotiated deals, built educational programmes, advised local authorities, organised showcases, supported artists through difficult moments and celebrated the successes that make all the hard work worthwhile. That breadth means I understand how different parts of the industry connect, and how to bring people together to achieve something bigger than they could alone.

If you're looking for someone who combines industry experience with a collaborative approach, I'd be delighted to hear about what you're working on. Whether it's supporting an artist, developing a programme, building a partnership or simply exploring an idea, let's start a conversation.