THE AIF TEAM

Meet the Team

  • John Rostron

    CEO

    He leads on lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the independent festival sector. He oversees all AIF campaigns, communications, partnerships, events and development of strategy to support member festivals. He manages day-to-day operations of the Association and also curates the conference programme at Festival Congress, AIF’s annual flagship conference for the festival sector.

    Prior to joining AIF John spent several years working as a freelance bid writer for music and arts organisations. During that time he also co-founded the Association of Independent Promoters, which he lead as Chair until his appointment here. Previously John was an independent concert and festival promoter, developing acts from grassroots music venues to Arenas, and co-founded the Welsh Music Prize, celebrating and championing the best new music from Wales.

  • Phoebe Rodwell-Carson

    Membership & Operations Manager

    Phoebe is the Membership & Operations Manager at the Association of Independent Festivals. Alongside managing all their membership processes, she also keeps on top of the general admin, AIF newsletter and membership events. Phoebe also leads of AIF's Safer Spaces at Festivals campaign and helped to launch their EDI policies and action plan in 2023.

    She was awarded Access All Area's 30 Under 30 in the Class of 2024.

    Phoebe was previously Membership & Projects Coordinator at AIF as well as the Festival Congress Event Manager between 2018-2020, returning to the organisation in 2022. Prior to this she'd worked in Membership at the Music Managers Forum, and on the Artist & Manager Awards.

  • Harri Rose

    Communications Coordinator

    Harri Rose is the Communications Coordinator ensuring AIF is the voice of independent festivals.

    Harri has over a decade of experience in campaigning, events, and fundraising, and is a published author. She also has experience as Co-Director of her own CIC, Anti Diet Riot Club which has been featured in The Guardian, Grazia, and The Times and amassed a following of over 125k on Instagram.

    Harri has a personal interest in sustainability, social justice, and food systems. She regularly speaks and hosts workshops at independent festivals, and she firmly believes that these are some of the most creative, joyful places in the world.

  • Osian Pearce

    Communications Assistant

    Osian is a first language Welsh speaker with many years experience working in independent Cardiff venues as a sound technician. 

    As well as the day to day of working alongside bands and DJ’s, Osian has also been involved with multi-venue festivals such as Sŵn and Hub Festival. 

    Osian joins AIF to build our social media engagement, support on communications and assist with member projects and events.


The Board

  • Matthew Phillip

    CHAIR - Notting Hill Carnival

  • Nick Morgan

    VICE CHAIR - The Fair

  • Lauren Down

    End of the Road

  • Megan Evans

    Deer Shed Festival

  • Zac Fox

    Kilimanjaro

  • Jo Macaskie

    Miss Ivy Events

  • Graham Main

    Big Burns Supper

  • Ross Parkhill

    Stendhal Festival

  • Jon Walsh

    Shambala

  • Penny Warner

    Team Love