Creative Futures Team

Mel Thornton is the Associate Dean for Creative Futures, the careers and employability service for BIMM University. The Creative Futures team connect students and graduates to industry opportunities across Music, Screen & Film, Performing Arts and Creative Technology, helping students to develop the skills, knowledge and networks they need through work experience and collaborative projects.

Mel has worked in higher education as a careers specialist for over 15 years and also brings to the role broad industry experience having worked as a publicist at major music labels before setting up her own PR company.

Mark is Head of Music Careers for BIMM University, leading a top team of creative career managers in each BIMM and negotiating industry partnerships with some of the worlds biggest record companies, publishers, agents, promoters and trade organisations to ensure that every possible opportunity is available for BIMM students.

Mark’s role is fuelled by his absolute love for creative development and new music. He has over 18 years’ experience in the industry, ranging from running his own management company to being a national promoter at Metropolis Music. Most recently, Mark also became the head of the new management and PR arm of Crosstown Concerts. He has been privileged enough to work with some of the world’s very best acts from Oasis to Emeli Sandé.

Best festival:
Exit Festival.

First job in the music industry:
Working at The Fleece venue in Bristol.

Andy has over 25 years’ experience in the music industry: working as a musician, song writer, producer, band manager and music educator. During his 18 years in music education, he’s successfully helped students and graduates launch a broad range of careers across the industry. Andy can advise on all creative fields: from interview technique, audition craft and musical direction: to CVs, release campaigns and contracts. He has worked with record labels, publishers, agents and management companies such as Sony, BMG, Reservoir, Closer Artists, Universal Music, Republic of Music, FMLY and ATC Live. He has placed students into a wide range of industry roles from festival promotors to producers and data analysts. In 2018, Andy successfully oversaw the return of his band, Sleeper to the top 20 and performed sold-out shows across the UK, including major festival appearances. In the 90s his band enjoyed platinum album success with 3 top five albums, 8 top 40 singles and regular tours of Europe, USA and the far East.

Maisie is the Careers Manager at BIMM Birmingham. Her role encompasses a wide variety of activities, providing all students at BIMM Music Institute Birmingham with opportunities to gain real industry experience and build their professional network.

Maisie offers advice on creative career paths, from CVs, job applications and interview preparation to artist development, audition craft and networking.

With experience spanning across the music industry – including event management, digital marketing, songwriting and performance as a multi-instrumentalist – Maisie draws from a rich background of skills and expertise to provide tailored careers support to every student.

Michelle is a music industry and events professional with over 15 years of experience. She has a track record of helping the next generation of artists and the industry reach their goals. Having empowered students to achieve significant publishing, management and label deals throughout her time working at BIMM London, she continues to bridge the gap between the students and industry with the aim of offering young people the best opportunities available.

Michelle is also an independent Artist Manager, proudly representing the artist RAHH (signed to Defected Publishing).

Best festival:

The Great Escape and Glastonbury (I’m the world’s worst camper, but I make the exception for Glasto once in a while!).

Charity recently supported:

I put on a BIMM charity gig for the Australian Red Cross in aid of the bushfires. I also ran the London Marathon for Blind Veterans UK.

Andrew Garfoot is the Careers Manager for BIMM Manchester, and also Lead Lecturer for the Working in the Creative Industries module. He has over ten years of experience in supported employment and education, and is currently part of the AGCAS Creative Industries Task Group, providing advice, resources and research to careers professionals across U.K Higher Education. His specialisms include creative career paths, postgraduate study, employment with a disability, professional online interactions, speculative applications and interview preparation.

Music is a huge part of Andrew’s life, and being able to provide careers guidance in this area gives him the opportunity to combine his professional and personal interests. He has been in bands and worked with singer/songwriters since he was a teenager and plays guitar, dobro and lap steel.

First Gig:

Alice Cooper on the Brutal Planet Tour, 2000

Favourite album:

I Am the Moon – Tedeschi Trucks Band

With over 12 years of experience as a DJ, electronic music producer, and club promoter, Adam Conroy brings a wealth of industry knowledge to mentoring. Performing under the alias One For The People, Adam has earned recognition and support from industry heavyweights like DJ Mag and Help Musicians, and achieved chart success with his breakout track Respect, which hit No. 6 on the Beatport Tech House Hype charts. Adam has shared stages with industry legends including Pete Tong, Patrick Topping, Underworld, and Mark Knight, and his music has been played at iconic venues like Ibiza’s The Zoo Project.

As label manager for Sting Recordings, BIMM Manchester’s electronic music label, and a graduate with First Class Honours in Electronic Music Production and a Distinction in Popular Music Practice, Adam combines technical expertise with hands-on industry insights. Passionate about sharing knowledge, he is committed to helping the next generation of talent thrive in electronic music production, DJing, and record label management. Adam is a passionate advocate for education and youth development, with over a decade of experience mentoring and empowering young people. He blends academic excellence with real-world experience to inspire others, having taught music production, run a weekly DJ club, and provided career guidance to secondary and A-level students at William Hulme Grammar School.

His early career included impactful work with disadvantaged youth at The Message Trust and international charity initiatives in Uganda, India, and Poland, where he organized community events for diverse audiences. A proud neurodiversity advocate following his own late diagnosis of autism and dyslexia, Adam champions inclusivity and celebrates the strengths that neurodivergent individuals bring to creative industries.

As a PAL mentor at BIMM and label manager of Sting Recordings, he has nurtured talent and provided young artists with opportunities to thrive in the music industry. With expertise in public speaking, coaching, and mentoring, Adam is committed to guiding the next generation to achieve their goals in education, music, and beyond.

Jo is the Careers Manager at BIMM Music Institute Bristol. She provides ongoing career support to students throughout their studies – from CV & cover letter tutorials to personal and professional development.

Jo focuses on the effective use of reflective practices in order to increase student confidence, understanding of self and ultimately employability, so students are then able to secure work within the creative industries.

Best gig: Nao on her 2019 Saturn Tour!

First Gig: My parents took me to see Status Quo when I was about 10 years old.

Prior to joining BIMM Music Institute Berlin, Nora has worked in various areas of the music industry, including streaming & distribution services such as Juke in Berlin and Igrooves in London, promoting live music events and working with an artist booking agency. Additional previous experience includes working in Public Relations within the German film industry, including representing a variety of commercial and independent film distributors at the Berlinale Festival (Germany’s biggest film festival).

As Head of Careers, Industry Liaison & Events, Ann-Marie uses her vast industry connections to source the best work opportunities for BIMM students and graduates.

With a resumé that includes tour manager, music publishing, music supervision, as well as experience working at major labels, Ann-Marie has extensive and in-depth knowledge of the music business, which allows for strong connections to be made between BIMM and the music industry.

First job in the music industry?
Tour managing My Bloody Valentine, first for the West Coast of America (’89) and then a World tour in 1990/1991.

Favourite album:
Bone Machine by Tom Waits.