UK - Backup Tech, the charity supporting those working behind the scenes in the entertainment technology industry, has announced the latest additions to its ambassador lineup. Under the guidance of Backup trustee Koy Neminathan, who oversees the ambassador programme, the organisation has welcomed Suzi Green and Gemma Fletcher into its growing roster of representatives.
As Backup ambassadors, Suzi and Gemma will champion the charity's mission throughout the entertainment industry, spreading awareness of the charity’s work, helping create and support wellbeing related initiatives that tie in with Backup’s remit, as well as recruiting corporate partners and supporting individual fundraising efforts. Their roles include representing Backup at industry events, meetings, and the popular annual Backup Village Fete. Here they share their personal connections to the charity and their visions for furthering Backup's essential work.
Suzi Green is a veteran tour manager with 25 years of experience, who has transformed her career to focus on wellbeing in the demanding live music industry. Having trained as a naturopathic nutritionist and now finishing a Masters in psychotherapy, she is combining these skills to support mental and physical health in the industry.
During the Covid lockdown, Suzi founded The Back Lounge, a peer support group that has grown into a global community, providing connection and education promoting best practice.
Suzi - who also serves as a trustee for Music Support - along with fellow ambassador Paul Jones, has helped launch and host a three-part workshop on Become A Financially Savvy Freelancer. The workshops address discuss wider changes needed to support freelancers' financial wellbeing. This is a joint programme between Backup Tech, The Back Lounge, and UK Live Event Freelancers Forum.
"I'm honoured to be an ambassador for Backup Tech having first come across the vital work they do during the pandemic, through their support of an initiative I was working on with Music Support around addiction and recovery education," says Suzi. "Since then, as my role working as a tour manager has expanded into psychotherapy alongside mental health advocacy with The Back Lounge, their work feels even more crucial, particularly in our uncertain times."
Gemma Fletcher has worked in the entertainment industry for nearly 30 years in a variety of roles including event manager and tour manager. She has been based in the UK, Holland, and Germany but was based in Australia for 16 years before recently returning to the UK.
"I started working in theatre at the age of 15, and have moved across theatre, circus, corporate, festival, and now touring globally in the music industry as a production coordinator," she says. "Within my career, the job title has changed, but it's all logistics at the core. Get the right people to the right place with the right gear! A personal driving force has always been to get people back home to their families the way they sent them to me."
Last year, Gemma became a qualified mental health first aider and advocate, with additional support models in leadership and management.
“I am really excited to be welcomed into the Backup Tech family as one of their ambassadors,” she adds. “Last winter I completed a 12-week Level 2 mental health first aid and workplace advocacy course, without really knowing how I would use the knowledge or where it would go. I’m looking forward to advocating for mental wellbeing and being able to act on ideas that I hope will help others, as well as being an Ambassador to an element of mental health that needs a louder voice.”
Ambassadors do vital work for Backup and there are many ways to help spread information throughout the industry. To find out more about how to get involved, visit www.backuptech.uk.
