sometimes we want to fight things that are naturally how life goes, and there's nothing you can do about it, you accept your fate
beat by Bailsxc

Letter To Old Me - Interlude (BEAT by Bailsxc)

David Thomas—where does one even begin with a character like him? Perhaps with a brief rewind to his early days in the world of entertainment, but really, the story gets juicy once we leap into his 24-year stint at Cameron Mackintosh. A name synonymous with legendary West End shows, David played an unmissable role in the live entertainment scene, from Cats purring across the stage to Les Misérables shaking theatre walls with rebellion. But this wasn’t just a ticket-pushing job—David was more like a marketing sorcerer, conjuring up the first West End internet offers and yield management systems, a few years ahead of the curve. Innovation, thy name was David! 

It is always such fun with David, creating his fantasy cultural year provided many conversational detours and playing the This or That game was equally entertaining! 

David was the Head of Theatre and Events at Superbreak, where he didn’t just lead, he led—wrangling deals, driving regional theatre connections, and making sure that whether you were in London or the far reaches of the UK, David had a way of bringing the magic of live entertainment to you. Short breaks were his canvas, and shows his paint. 

But theatre wasn’t enough for David, oh no. He took his talents to Vivaticket, managing UK operations for this global ticketing giant. Fancy a trip to the Tower of London? Perhaps a jaunt to the Louvre? Yep, that was David's doing too. 

When the world of ticket resale came knocking, David answered, taking up the role of UK Strategy Lead for TicketSwap. Amsterdam may have birthed the company, but under David’s hand, its British presence flourished. His strategic brilliance didn’t go unnoticed—those he worked with always praised his knack for spotting opportunities where others saw challenges. Then there’s LW Theatres, where David's expertise in tourism and groups helped elevate the iconic venue group. His strategic fingerprints can still be found all over their robust plans for the future. 

Oh, and let’s not forget the 17 years he spent at the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers. He practically wrote the book (well, the industry-wide terms and conditions) and acted as Deputy Chair for eight of those years, keeping the live entertainment ticketing industry on the straight and narrow. 

Now, David keeps things vibrant as the Live Entertainment Ambassador for the Arts & Culture Network and consults on sales and marketing strategy—proving that, even after decades in the game, his appetite for innovation and theatre remains insatiable. And really, would we have it any other way? Absolutely not.

David Thomas - Mastermind of Live Entertainment Strategy

Who said getting the groceries had to be boring?

David Thomas - Mastermind of Live Entertainment Strategy

Mark.walmsley

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