Really Useful Group names new Chief Executive

JAMES MCKNIGHT has been appointed the Chief Executive of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group (RUG).

McKnight will take up the role in December, succeeding CHARLES FARMER, who departed the company earlier this year.

Previously, McKnight was Chief Creative Officer for the Harry Potter franchise at the Blair Partnership, where he oversaw collaborations with teams at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Warner Bros. Discovery.

Most recently, he held the post of Executive Creative Director at ABBA songwriter Björn Ulvaeus’ company Pophouse Entertainment. He will remain on the organisation's Investment Advisory Committee while working for RUG.

Speaking about joining RUG, McKnight said that Lloyd Webber was “synonymous” with driving change and innovation in live theatre and entertainment.

He said: "I’ve built my career around strategically and meaningfully taking entertainment brands into new spaces and introducing them to new audiences, and I’m thrilled I’ll soon get the opportunity to continue that journey with Andrew, the Really Useful Group team and their exceptional partners worldwide."

Lloyd Webber said: "James brings with him the exceptional experience of taking some of the world’s biggest entertainment titles and exploring them in new and interesting ways for diverse audiences."

The appointment comes after former RUG president of ten years, JESSICA KORAVOS, left her position in April. Her role is now filled by Managing Director JO QUILLAN and TIM LEIST, President of Production and Licensing.