The Really Useful Group (RUG) has announced a new chief operating officer. Louise Hughes will lead the legal, operational and business affairs of the global production company of Tony Award winner Andrew Lloyd Webber. Hughes will work with the company’s global licensing teams for theatrical, live, immersive and themed entertainment. Her responsibilities will also encompass music, consumer products and merchandise.
RUG has also announced five new leadership appointees: Aaron Buckingham, Serin Kasif, Jordana Leighton, Ken Marchesi and Isobel Richardson.
No stranger to managing global entertainment franchises, Hughes has worked with “Harry Potter” and its spin-off sequel, “Fantastic Beasts,” as well as “Peter Rabbit.” Hughes most recently served as group general counsel for Blair Partnership, a literary and entertainment agency. Previously, Hughes held positions at Penguin Random House and the Financial Times.
“I’ve spent my whole career specializing in deal negotiation to support the ambitions of world-class teams managing generation-defining intellectual property,” Hughes said in a statement. “It’s an honor to be able to continue this journey with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. The business is setting out on an ambitious and exciting new path, building on all the incredible work that has gone before. I’m hugely excited to be a part of it all and to join the outstanding team already in place.”
Kasif, who has spent 12 years in senior production and licensing positions within RUG, has assumed the role of business development director (theatrical and live). Following 19 years in brand, marketing and franchise management across Disney, Warner Bros. and Penguin Random House, Richardson has joined RUG as brand and franchise development director.
A former finance lead for Nederlander Theatres, Marchesi was named RUG’s finance director. Also new to RUG is Buckingham, a former songwriter relations lead for Spotify. Buckingham will serve as RUG’s head of music strategy. Finally, Leighton was named senior brand manager. Leighton’s experience spans 22 years in licensing and brand management across Warner Bros., BBC Studios and Walker Books.
RUG has also announced the departure of director and head of legal Martin Lowes, who will join Jonathan Hull Associates LLP, a law firm specializing in entertainment business. Lowes will continue to work with RUG as a consultant.
“We’re delighted to welcome Isobel, Ken, Aaron and Jordana to the team, see Serin take on this critical new brief and to continue working with Martin in his new role with Jonathan Hull Associates,” said RUG chief executive officer James McKnight. “Their unique perspectives and broad, combined entertainment experience and expertise will be invaluable as we continue to explore new and diverse opportunities, reach new audiences and deliver on our ambitious global plans for the business.”
These announcements come on the heels of additional RUG appointments: Libby Grant as chief commercial officer, Lawrence Chapman as chief financial officer and the aforementioned McKnight.
RUG is currently represented on Broadway by the revival of “Sunset Boulevard,” which is produced by special arrangement with the company.
