Chip Start UK

We’re helping the UK Government-supported incubator program by advising early semiconductor start-ups and University spin-outs in the UK.

Saving Grace

Working in partnership with Moonriver TV, the producers of ITV’s Doc Martin, Liz Murdoch and Craig Furguson, we are the lead producers of a musical based on the ‘99 Sundance-winning movie.

ITV’s successful Doc Martin franchise was also derived from the movie.

The book is by April De Angelis, music by KT Tunstall and direction by Laurence Connor.

The first pre-West End run of Saving Grace sold out at London’s Riverside Studio.

Nina Simone

We are the first producer to secure the life and stage rights to Nina Simone’s autobiography and songs. The musical is in development with Nikki. M. James, Harrison Rivers and Jonathan Butterell.

Karakuri

We founded Karakuri with Brent Hoberman and Founders Factory, and Barney became CEO. Karakuri produced automation systems for the QSR industry.

We raised over $10m of Seed funding for the business, with Ocado PLC as the lead investor.

Venues Acquisition

We advised a US-based client on the acquisition of a $900m portfolio of entertainment properties.

Mavin Records

We advised Kupanda Capital on the acquisition of Nigerian Afrobeats label Mavin.

We supported the acquisition team with early business plans and international distribution and marketing strategies.

Debt Restructuring

We advised a UK client on a $200m debt restructure of a North American-based entertainment rights business.

Rights Aquisition

We advised a European PE fund on a £400m acquisition of entertainment rights.

Stufish

Stufish is one of the world's leading architecture and design studios for the entertainment industry. They provide designs for artists including The Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, Elton John and many more.

We helped the firm restructure following the sad loss of their founder Mark Fisher.

School of Rock Broadway

While at the Really Useful Group, Barney led the team that developed a musical based on the Jack Black and Jack White movie “School of Rock”. The project included rights licensing from music publishers, record companies, authors and the original movie studio, Paramount.

Barney successfully managed a raise of $18m for the Broadway production from international investors and presenting partners.

Stephen Ward

While at The Really Useful Group, Barney managed the co-production with Robert Fox Ltd.

Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour

At The Really Useful Group, Barney oversaw the production of the first Arena tour of a major musical theatre production. The cast included Tim Minchin, Mel C and Chris Moyles on over 50 UK and Australia dates.

The project was linked to an ITV reality show, Superstar, to find the title role.

The production was financed through a JV with AEG Live (now Presents).

Really Useful Group

Barney was recruited as CEO of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group following a difficult period for the business.

He implemented a turn-around strategy that included sourcing £150m of debt refinancing, resulting in the first dividend payment to the shareholders in over 14 years.

Brit Awards 2011

Under our direction, for the first time, video feeds were taken directly from broadcast to YouTube and other social media.

Adele’s performance of “Someone Like You” immediately became the UK No. 1 single, and the YouTube video collected 12m views in the first ten days.

Kate Bush & Fish People

We helped Kate Bush establish her independent label as her catalogue reverted from a long-term license at EMI.

Fish People managed the independent release of her “Director’s Cut” and “50 Words for Snow”.

Brit Awards 2010

We advised the Brit Awards on the transition to digital.

Conceived and delivered the Live-from-the-Brits real-time downloads from the ceremony. Resulting in a No. 3 for Florence Welsh and Dizzee Rascal.

AEG Live

We rapidly designed and deployed a ticketing and digital marketing platform to support AEG properties including The O2, Sonisphere Festival, Winterwonderland and a Bon Jovi Stadium tour.

The implementation was completed within six months and generated over £70m of ticket sales in its first year of operation.

Ingenious Media

On behalf of Ingenious Media Active Capital, Barney acted as interim CEO for Trinity Street, a direct-to-consumer marketing, eCommerce and ticketing business.

Fuga

Barney joined Fuga as their first Non-Exec when the business was a small start-up. He helped them raise early funding and conclude their first distribution deals.

DRM Free

While at EMI, Barney conceived the strategy for the company to be the first of the majors to remove DRM from music downloads. This allowed downloads purchased from any online store to play on any digital music player.

Barney negotiated the deal with Apple to be the first licensee of EMI’s DRM-free tracks with personal endorsement and publicity support from Steve Jobs.