At Blackburn with Darwen Venues, every unforgettable event is made possible by the dedication, passion and expertise of our incredible team. From programming world-class entertainment to delivering exceptional customer service, our staff work behind the scenes to ensure every visit to King George’s Hall and Darwen Library Theatre is one to remember.

Alongside our management team, we’re supported by our fantastic Box Office team, Flexible Hall Attendants, Office Support staff, casual Duty Managers, Technicians, Event Stewards, Bar and Catering teams, and volunteers who help bring our venues to life every day.

Neil Dagnall

Venues Operations Manager

With over 18 years at King George’s Hall and experience across almost every department, Neil has built an impressive career at Blackburn’s premier entertainment venue.

Neil began as an Assistant House Manager, overseeing facilities management, front of house operations and health and safety. After 18 months, he joined the Bar and Catering team as Assistant Bars and Catering Manager during Blackburn’s thriving nightlife. Following a management restructure, he became Bars and Catering Manager in 2010 before taking on his current role as Venues Operations Manager in 2015.

Today, Neil oversees every aspect of venue operations, supporting all departments to ensure events run smoothly. He takes great pride in the team and continues to be inspired by the quality of performers, productions and international artists attracted to a regional venue in Lancashire.

One of Neil’s favourite times of year is the annual pantomime, where he loves seeing children fully immersed in the magic of live theatre. His standout concert memory remains James, describing it as the best atmosphere and live performance he has ever experienced.

For Neil, no two days are ever the same, and that’s exactly what makes the role so rewarding. Whether celebrating unforgettable successes or overcoming unexpected challenges, he believes working with an amazing team in a venue that welcomes everyone is something to be truly grateful for.

Toni Comer 

Senior Programmer & Marketing Co-Ordinator

Toni joined the venues in 2006, originally working behind the bars while studying for a BA in English. With a lifelong passion for live entertainment, festivals and theatre, she quickly discovered a love for comedy and music programming.

After completing an MA in Publishing, Toni moved into the programming team, using her passion for words to promote live events and connect audiences with unforgettable experiences.

Since 2012, Toni has specialised in comedy programming, introducing exciting new acts and promoters to Blackburn with Darwen Venues. She has a reputation for spotting emerging talent and helping performers progress from intimate comedy clubs to the King George’s Hall stage.

Away from work, Toni is a self-confessed comedy enthusiast, spending her spare time listening to comedy podcasts, watching sitcoms and panel shows, and volunteering to help manage comedy events.

Darren James

Senior Programmer – Events

Known to the team as DJ, Darren began organising events and DJing in 1990 while still at school, initially as a way to get into gigs.

While at university, he served as Entertainments Officer for three years and gained a Level 3 Events Management qualification. Darren has led the music programme across Blackburn with Darwen Venues since 2015 and has programmed Darwen Live since its launch in 2013.

Although modest about his achievements, Darren says one of the best parts of the job is working alongside artists he grew up watching on Top of the Pops and now chatting with them about everyday things like trainers and chocolate.

Lucy Smith

Box Office Development Manager

Lucy joined the Box Office team in 2001 and became Box Office Co-ordinator in 2011 before progressing to Box Office Development Manager.

Her role is central to the success of every event, supporting departments across the venues while ensuring customers receive the very best ticketing experience. Lucy has an exceptional ability to anticipate potential issues before they arise, making the booking process as smooth as possible.

Her calm, friendly and knowledgeable approach has earned praise from customers, promoters, ticketing partners and agents alike, making her an invaluable member of the team.

Jennie Pearson

Box Office Supervisor

Jennie is the friendly face and welcoming voice of Blackburn with Darwen Venues, leading the Box Office team at King George’s Hall and Darwen Library Theatre.

Whether you’re booking tickets, making an enquiry or collecting your tickets before a show, Jennie and her team are committed to making every customer experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible. They provide expert advice on performances, assist with ticket bookings, memberships, accessibility requirements and gift vouchers, while ensuring every visitor receives a warm welcome.

With excellent customer service at the heart of everything she does, Jennie takes pride in helping audiences enjoy memorable experiences from the very first interaction. Her approachable nature, knowledge of the venues and dedication to customer care make her an important part of every event.

Jennifer Bednarek

Marketing and Brand Manager

Jennifer brings more than 25 years of experience in branding, design and marketing to Blackburn with Darwen Venues. With a degree in Marketing and an extensive creative background, she has built a career developing brands, creating engaging campaigns and delivering memorable customer experiences.

For the past seven years, Jennifer has worked within the events industry, delivering everything from intimate live music performances to large-scale Christmas events at an award-winning visitor attraction. Her hands-on approach and wealth of practical experience have helped shape successful events of every size.

Jennifer is proud to be part of the exciting reopening and transformation of King George’s Hall. Working alongside the wider team, she is helping to shape the venue’s future, strengthen its brand and connect even more people with the incredible programme of entertainment on offer.

Mehvish Mahmood

Digital Marketing Executive

Mehvish has been part of Blackburn with Darwen Venues for since 2021 and is the driving force behind our social media presence.

Known as our “social queen”, you’ll often find Mehvish capturing behind-the-scenes content, filming events and encouraging staff to get involved in the latest trending reels. Her creativity helps showcase the personality of our venues while giving audiences an authentic look behind the curtain.

As the friendly face behind our comments, messages and online engagement, Mehvish works hard to make every follower feel part of the Blackburn with Darwen Venues family. Through meaningful conversations and engaging content, she helps build the welcoming community that extends far beyond our stages.

Sophie Hagan

House Technician 

Sophie is one of the technical experts behind every successful event at Blackburn with Darwen Venues. As House Technician, she plays a vital role in ensuring every performance, concert, comedy show and conference runs seamlessly from start to finish.

Working closely with visiting production teams, Sophie is responsible for setting up and operating lighting, sound and stage equipment, helping to create the best possible experience for both performers and audiences. From technical rehearsals and sound checks to live show operation and troubleshooting, she ensures every event is delivered safely, professionally and to the highest standard.

Whether she’s programming lighting cues, managing audio levels or supporting touring productions behind the scenes, Sophie’s technical knowledge, attention to detail and calm approach make her an invaluable part of the team.

Linda Whitehead

Venues Support Assistant

Linda is the longest-serving member of the King George’s Hall team, having joined during a busy pantomime season in 1986.

Starting as an Office Assistant, Linda has worked across numerous departments over the years, including steward management, front of house operations and event delivery. Today, she oversees the venues’ finances with remarkable precision.

If Linda doesn’t know the answer to a question about the day-to-day running of the venues, chances are nobody does. Whether helping colleagues with office supplies, payroll queries or invoices, she’s the first person many staff turn to.

Her incredible knowledge, experience and stories from four decades at King George’s Hall make her an irreplaceable part of the team.

Box Office Clerks

Our friendly Box Office team works across both King George’s Hall and Darwen Library Theatre, providing exceptional customer service from the moment you get in touch.

Whether you’re booking tickets online, over the phone or in person, the team is always on hand to answer questions, provide advice on upcoming shows, assist with accessibility requirements and ensure your visit is as enjoyable as possible. Their knowledge, professionalism and warm welcome help create a positive experience before you’ve even taken your seat.

Flexi Hall Attendants

Working behind the scenes, our Flexible Hall Attendants play an essential role in preparing both venues for every event.

From setting up seating layouts and dressing auditoriums and backstage areas to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and presentation, they help ensure every performance space is ready to welcome audiences and performers alike.

Their hard work, flexibility and attention to detail contribute to the smooth running of every event and help deliver the high-quality experience our visitors expect.

Join Us for Your Next Event

Behind every concert, comedy show, theatre production, conference and community event at Blackburn with Darwen Venues is a passionate team dedicated to creating memorable experiences. Whether you’re visiting King George’s Hall or Darwen Library Theatre, we look forward to welcoming you soon.