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WE ARE RAISING FUNDS FOR GRANT ROUND 7 - CLICK HERE TO HELP US REACH £100,000!
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CONTINUO CONNECT
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Amplifying the impact of our grant support, our not-for-profit digital hub is helping the UK’s early music community to grow and flourish.
We are now providing the UK's most comprehensive and easy-to-search listing of upcoming early music concerts. This enables musicians to publicise their concerts to a wider audience, and allows audiences to find nearby events, anywhere in the UK. The site also includes profiles of the country's wonderful array of period-instrument ensembles, streamlining the grant evaluation process for our team of assessors who can access all necessary information about applicants in one place.
The Connect hub has the potential to significantly open up access to live period music for audiences across the country, as well as being a valuable marketing and communication tool for ensembles seeking to grow and diversify their audiences. We are working to improve the site on an ongoing basis, to offer valuable information and insights to artists and audiences, and to provide a platform for musicians to share the fascinating stories which make early music so extraordinary.
The Continuo Connect not-for-profit digital initiative is supported by a team of specialist contractors and volunteers, and guided by an advisory board of professionals with experience of building and growing technology companies. Please see below details of the Team and the Connect Advisory Group. The latter give their time freely to help Continuo leverage technology to achieve its mission.
THE TEAM
CHIEF TECHONOLOGY OFFICER
TIM BENJAMIN
Chief Technology Officer
Tim has 25 years experience as a web technology entrepreneur, along with a lifetime of experience as a composer of classical music and opera. He has taken part in several successful start-ups and worked at a senior level for large organisations including Accenture and WPP. He is a member of the Jury of the George Enescu International Competition. A passionate believer in the arts of communication and the power of storytelling to transform lives and shift opinion, he frequently speaks and writes on many subjects. Anglo-French by birth and a Londoner by upbringing, he is now an adopted Yorkshireman. He is a graduate of the Royal Northern College of Music and Manchester University, and also holds a DPhil in Music and Economics from Oxford University.
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
KIRSTEN FEHRING
Strategy and Communications
Kirsten is a strategist, dramaturgist and producer based in the UK. She has worked within the classical music scene since her first job in the Sponsorship department of a Swiss bank, happily supporting festivals, ensembles and artists and making things happen. Developing creative strategies and an interdisciplinary approach are her trademark. She studied Literature (with an emphasis on music!) and Economics for a Masters degree. Her PhD thesis focused on Arts Sponsorship. She sings in chamber choirs and played the oboe in another life.
HANNAH MCCREADIE
Digital Marketing
Hannah is a digital marketing specialist with over two decades in retail and a design degree from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. Her journey has evolved from physical product development to digital product strategies and marketing. Brought up in Scotland but a long-time Londoner, Hannah has always had a deep passion for the arts, nurtured by her childhood experiences playing the cello in orchestras and ensembles. Her transition from the commercial world to the arts is fuelled by a strong belief in the transformative power of music and technology, and the desire to support and amplify a thriving community.
MIRJAM VAN DER SCHOOT
PR and Communications
Mirjam is an experienced freelance arts marketing and publicity professional supporting ensembles, orchestras and venues with marketing strategies and promotional campaigns. With an interest in developing new fundraising skills and a shared passion for early music ever since attending concerts at the Festival Oude Muziek as a young girl, Mirjam devises Continuo's ongoing communications strategy, raising public awareness of its activities and impact.
CONNECT ADVISORY GROUP
BENEDICT VANDERSPAR
Partner at McKinsey & Co.
Ben is a Partner at McKinsey & Co. and a Trustee of Continuo Foundation. He spends his time building and scaling digital businesses, primarily in media and technology. Ben comes from a family of professional musicians and was a violinist prior to his career in business. He is excited about using the power of technology to help the period performance sector flourish, and to widen access to live music for people in communities across the UK.
GORDON WILLOUGHBY
NED and Former CEO at WeTransfer
Gordon recently stepped down as CEO at WeTransfer and has over 15 years experience as a senior GM scaling international technology companies, in both public and private situations. During this time he has led businesses that are market leaders across all the main digital business models. He was Chair of the Advisory Board at KPMG Lighthouse (NL) until 2020 and previously a NED at FTSE International and trustee at FSU (now Family Action). He is currently a mentor at the US organisation “unlock her potential”.
JAYSON ROBINSON
Founder and Startup Advisor, Product Management Leader
Deloitte Digital consultant turned product manager and trainer. The better part of a decade's experience leading product teams for B2B, B2C, B2B2C and marketplace businesses. As well as being a product leader and consultant, Jayson also trains and mentors product managers through Mind The Product.
JOSEPH SWANSON
Senior Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey, and Angel Investor
Senior Managing Director and Co-Head of Houlihan Lokey’s EMEA Restructuring Group, as well as Co-Head of Asia, Joe currently sits on the firm’s Operating Committee. Joe has more than two decades of investment banking experience, and enjoys investing in technology start-ups. He and has wife, Christine, have been key supporters of Continuo Foundation from the start.
TINA VADANEAUX
Founder and CEO, Continuo Foundation
As Founder of Continuo, Tina brings her vision and strategic thinking to help the UK's early music sector flourish and become more sustainable. She contributes the insights and relationships with ensembles, musicians and audiences gained through running Continuo’s grant-making activity and growing its impact over the last two years. Prior to founding Continuo, Tina had four years of experience engaging new audiences for classical music.
VINCENZO TUOZZO
Business Affairs Manager, Apple
Vincenzo advises on consumer-facing content, IP rights, and the intersection of marketing and technology. With experience in both the finance and film industries, he has successfully managed film acquisitions, distribution and financing. He holds a Master of Law in IP Law and a Bachelor of Science in International Management and Economics. As an active contributor to the field of open innovation through his research, Vincenzo has focussed on the importance of collaboration between startups and larger businesses. He firmly believes that innovative ways and the right incentives will engage new audiences for early music to allow it to thrive.
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