From artist management, PR and the role of a live agent, to marketing, promotions, artist relations, events and running a label and studio, we’re joined by friends from 0207 Def Jam, Decca, Mother Artists, Motown UK, Murray Chalmers PR, Polydor and Universal Music.

To apply, send us a short video to equalise@abbeyroad.com explaining who you’d like to meet, the reason why and what you’d hope to get from the session.

After many years in senior executive positions at major labels, Isabel Garvey came on as managing director of Abbey Road Studios, the oldest recording studio in the world, in 2014. In that time she has expanded the mission of a recording studio and focused on attracting "artists earlier in their careers—those who might assume we're not that accessible," says Garvey. That has entailed opening two smaller pop studios that can be rented at drastically lower price points and, in October 2017, launching the first free songwriting app, called Topline (which attracted 9,000 downloads in the first six months).

Under Garvey's leadership, Abbey Road is also breaking into the tech world; in 2015 she and her team launched the music business incubator Abbey Road Red; so far, 14 of the emerging companies have raised more than $20 million. "We've added four AI businesses to our incubator," says Garvey, with two of them being used by artists at Abbey Road. Next up: Tackling gender inequality at the sound board. The people running the creative sessions remain 98% male, and Garvey—who has populated the business side of Abbey Road with an even split of men and women—is intent on giving "the incredibly talented female engineers and producers more visibility."

Fiona took over as Studios Manager in 2016, inheriting the infamous studio bookings diary and pencil. Having worked at Abbey Road for two decades, Fiona knows the studios and their loyal clients inside out, working with artists such as 1975, Dua Lipa, No Rome, Hamzaa, Coldplay, Madonna, Bon Jovi and Kendrick Lamar and on various films such as the Star Wars and Harry Potter series, The Lord of the Rings trilogy through to the more recent News of the World, Chicago 7, Midnight Sky and the eagerly awaited new Marvel blockbuster, Black Widow to name but a few.

Fiona has been integral to the development and launch of a new era at the Studios, with the addition of an award-winning Mix Stage for film sound post production and two new recording studios, designed to make the magic of Abbey Road more accessible to emerging artists and exceptional talent.

Studying Media at the University of Brighton, led Fiona into a career in music working across international music press & promotions and artist management. Walking through the hallowed doors of Abbey Road allowed her passion for recorded music to become part of her every day

Lucy began her career in the music industry with Zomba / Jive Records, based in a portacabin in Willesden before making the journey to the next door portacabin to join Silvertone Records, who had just signed the Stone Roses. She started helping out and quickly found herself working full-time for Andrew Lauder and Judith Riley. Working with the Stone Roses, Lucy watched them grow from pub venues and Manchester’s Hacienda through to London’s Alexandra Palace and Blackpool’s Empress Ballroom before ending in Spike Island.

Lucy also worked on John Lee Hookers’ The Healer album, Buddy Guy, The Men They Couldn’t Hang and an eclectic mix of artists, before moving to This Way Up, another label started by Andrew Lauder, financed by Polygram Records. At the new label, Lucy worked with Otis Rush, Ian McNabb, Redd Kross and Tindersticks, before taking a year out to travel the world.

After a spot of temping, in 1997 Lucy started at Abbey Road Studios in the role of Mastering Bookings, with a brief to improve efficiency, services and pricing. She inherited a team of mastering engineers led by Chris Blair, one of the Top 3 engineers at that time and since then has built a department with a reputation for quality. Over the years, Lucy has launched the studios’ online mastering service, as well as developing internal talent, promoting Christian Wright, Alex Wharton and Alex Gordon, and enticing experienced mastering engineers such as Geoff Pesche, Miles Showell and Frank Arkwright to Abbey Road.

Claire started working at Abbey Road Studios as Events Manager in 2018 with a diverse portfolio of creative, corporate and educational events to her name. She began her events career in production and stage management at music festivals in Scotland while undertaking an undergraduate degree in Psychology. Claire continued with higher education and after completing a PhD in Music Psychology at The University of Edinburgh (researching the musical identities of professional orchestral musicians) she moved to London to develop her career in the music and events industry.

Upon first moving to London she worked at the Performing Rights Society (PRS) for over 2 years in the Live Music Team and still works alongside the PRS Foundation as a Talent Development Funding Advisor. Having a varied background has enabled Claire to work on a multitude of exciting projects with numerous different companies such as: BAFTA, BBC, The Barbican, Jazz FM and Warner Music. In her role as Events Manager, she enjoys working on projects that allow her clients to celebrate the history of the studios while at the same time creating something new for the guests to enjoy. As a huge music fan, she considers working at Abbey Road Studios to be an honour which brings new and interesting challenges every day.

With over two decades experience of working with young people, Dion’s journey first began with curating and performing motivational and also Black History assembly’s in schools. Due to her passion for both parenting and mentoring, when her children’s school were approached by the television producers of Dimbleby for an ambassador of parental responsibility, she was the clear choice. She was also featured on Talking Point.

Furthering her zeal to enable others to achieve social mobility, Dion studied to become a key-worker and worked with vulnerable young women. After eight rewarding years it was time for a fresh challenge and the opportunity to manage her son musician and Mercury Nominee Novelist arose.

Dion took on and executed the role with relish and was warmly referred to as ‘Manager by many. During her time as a music manager, Dion also managed to support other budding musicians in a mentoring capacity, often asked to review and give feedback on unreleased music.

Dion now features on Novelist’s BBC1XTRA residency show and also has her own radio show titled 'AMALGAMATE' which is a fusion of genres and features music from across the globe. With an ongoing drive to motivate others and promote positive mental well-being, Dion has created an Instagram page primarily for this purpose.

Check her out.

Sarah Henderson has worked in the music industry for over twelve years, and is currently Managing Director at Murray Chalmers PR. MCPR is home to some of the world’s most-loved artists and bands including Coldplay, Muse, Radiohead, The Stone Roses, Liam Payne, Kylie, Robbie Williams and many more. MCPR also looks after world-renowned entertainment businesses and events including Abbey Road Studios, Lovebox Festival, Platoon and Greg Williams Photography.

As well as working with internationally acclaimed musicians and brands, MCPR supports a diverse roster of emerging talent, helping new artists find their audience and create a public profile that represents their artistic talents.

In her role as MD, Sarah brings her wealth of experience to drive business strategy and client management – overseeing a brilliant team of publicists to strategise, create and implement campaigns across print, digital and broadcast for their incredible roster of clients.

Shiarra Bell has been Head of Artist Relations and Talent at Universal Music UK since 2016. Her role involves creating and organising events across the business and sourcing outside talent for events where needed.

She also oversees all international trips for artists coming to the UK for promotion, and runs their schedules as well as taking care of their general wellbeing while visiting the UK. Her role also includes everything from award ceremonies to gifting.

Shiarra joined the company in 2006 as artist relations assistant at Polydor Records. She was the promoted to Head of Artist Relations at the label before moving into her current role. She previously spent 10 years in music management where she worked with artists including All Saints, Bewitched and The Sugababes.

Heidi has spent 14 years working at labels. Take a look at her path below.

2006 - Classics & Jazz/ decca A&R Assistant - Promotions Assistant (TV & Radio) - Radio Promotions Executive

2011- Warner Bros Records - Regional Radio Promotions Manager

2012 - Warner Bros Records - National Radio Manager

2016 - Island Records – Senior national radio manager

2018 - Island Records - Executive National & Urban Radio Manager

2021 - 0207 Def Jam Director of Promotions

Heidi has worked with the likes of Ariana Grande, Drake, Mary J Blige, Sean Paul, Big Shaq, Bugzy Malone, Jason Derulo, Dua Lipa, Michael Bublé and Lianne La Havas.

With a career spanning over fifteen years within music, radio and live productions I have gained a plethora of knowledge and experience across these fields working in both contract and freelance capacities. I currently work at the Marketing & Projects Manager at the newly launched 0207 Def Jam label in which I work across artist campaigns and new innovative projects to expand the label brand and reach.
 
Prior to this as the Urban Division Manager at Island Records I oversaw artist campaigns for artists such as Giggs, NAV, Jacquees, Lil Wayne, Miraa May and Unknown T as well as endeavours outside of music such as The Intent 2 film in which I co-ordinated marketing, the official soundtrack and premieres and promotion runs in the UK, Jamaica and LA. I have extensive radio experience working at Global for over 8 years as a radio producer for Capital XTRA as well as events for Capital such as Jingle Bell Ball.
 
Freelancing in live productions has seen me work both in the UK and abroad on a range of productions from tours, one-off productions, seminars, VR concerts and festivals in various roles ranging from event manager, production manager, stage manager and talent co-ordinator.