How can we help?
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) is the UK's leading non-profit festival trade association. Created to represent and empower independent festivals, there are various strands to our work:
Being part of a unique network of promoters
Enabling festival organisers to connect with each other and take the temperature of the industry. Alongside several members meetings each year with a formal agenda, there are various informal networking opportunities throughout the year.
Campaigns, Lobbying and Advocacy
Providing a collective voice for the independent festival sector. Alongside direct lobbying to Government, AIF sits on the UK Live Group of UK Music, the umbrella organisation representing the music industry to government, as well as working across the live industry, forming strategic alliances and leading on key issues facing our members.
Business Support Services
To help members grow and develop their businesses.
Events and Training
Discounted access to AIF’s annual flagship Festival Congress and various smaller scale training events throughout the year.
Becoming an AIF member was invaluable for our business, especially as we expanded to multiple festivals. The AIF team work tirelessly to offer a support network to events organisers, facilitating the crucial share of information and allowing the independent festival sector to have a stronger voice in the industry.
Andy Smith - Kendal Calling
Being a member of AIF is invaluable to Sound City, as an independent festival it's great to be part of a membership organisations that has our ideals and value at heart. Paul and his team have been so supportive... We're proud to be members.
Becky Ayers - Sound City
We find the opportunity to attend AIF organised events helps us to get to know the organisers and their festivals. This helps our understanding which enables us to provide a much better service and ultimately more competitive premiums.
Music Insurance Brokers
AIF membership has given me plenty of knowledge and insight into the festival industry... AIF members provide a support network amongst organisers and an open platform in which to talk to each other... As an organisation the AIF collectively and successfully fights bigger campaigns that individually, small independent festivals would be not able to achieve alone.
Goc O'Callaghan - ArcTanGent
Meet the team
Paul Reed
Chief Executive
As Chief Executive of AIF, Paul is responsible for managing the UK’s leading festival representative body.
Paul manages day-to-day operations of the association, alongside implementing strategic development and growth. Paul also oversees all campaigns, communications, partnerships, events and membership development in addition to curating the conference programme at Festival Congress, AIF’s annual flagship conference and awards event.
With 15 years of experience in the field, Paul has an extensive background in the live music industry having started as an independent promoter alongside working at festivals such as Secret Garden Party. Paul then worked at music development agency Generator in a wide-ranging role that included managing their live programmes.
Paul was also previously Head of Operations at classical music centre The Conservatoire and Operations Manager at The Event Umbrella, managing the office and events team for a specialist event company contracted to produce all festivals and events across the London Borough of Ealing, the third largest Borough in London.
Favourite festival moment: Doing artist liaison for Iggy and the Stooges at Evolution Festival. Have you seen their rider?!
Helena King
Administrative Assistant (Part Time)
As admin assistant for the AIF, Hels is responsible for assisting the CEO with the day to day running of the leading festival representative body.
Hels has a varied background working as a promoter rep, ticketing and accreditation manager and production coordinator in addition to also previously working at venues such as Royal Albert Hall and Rich Mix, and for Ginger Owl, Eventim and Live Nation in various capacities.
AIF Board Members
Alex Trenchard (Standon Calling)
Anna Wade (Boomtown Fair)
Becky Ayres (Liverpool Sound City)
Chris Russell Fish (Black Deer Festival)
Goc O’Callaghan (ArcTanGent)
Jim Mawdsley
Katherine Goodenough (Greenbelt)
Kevin Moore (Vision Nine)
Nick Morgan (The Fair)
Oliver Jones (Deer Shed Festival)
Rob Nosworthy (Nozstock: The Hidden Valley)
Stuart Balkham (Elderflower Fields)
Chairpersons
CHAIR
Jim Mawdsley
VICE CHAIR
Nick Morgan (The Fair)