ATG Entertainment, a leading theater producer and theater owner in the U.S. and the U.K, has appointed Melanie Smith as its new CEO.
Smith takes on the role, effective Wednesday, after serving as CEO of the NEC Group, the U.K.’s largest live events venue operator and serving as deputy chair at the dance organization Sadler’s Wells. Smith succeeds Ted Stimpson, who took on the role in October 2023.
ATG owns ten West End theaters and seven Broadway theaters after acquiring theater owner Jujamcyn Theaters in 2023. The company has more than 70 venues across the U.K., the U.S., Germany, Austria and Spain, as well as its own ticketing platform. Private Equity firm Providence Equity Partners is the largest shareholder of ATG.
“Mel is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of running complex, global businesses across both the live entertainment and consumer sectors. Her combination of operational rigour, strategic insight and genuine passion for theatre and live events makes her exceptionally well placed to lead ATG as the business enters its next phase of growth,” said Andrew Tisdale, ATG Board Member & Vice Chairman at Providence Equity Partners.
“My focus will be to continue to build on ATG’s strong foundations, supporting its creative partners and working with teams across the business to shape the next phase of the Group’s development. ATG is the perfect place to bring together my passion for theatre and my experience of delivering world-class live events and experiences. I am excited to work closely with my new colleagues, and with Providence Equity Partners, as we continue to deliver outstanding live entertainment to audiences around the world and unlock new opportunities for the business,” Smith said.