Big Life Management, a Reservoir Media-owned company, has announced the promotion of Kat Kennedy, Colin Roberts, and Claire Kilcourse to partners, with Kennedy additionally assuming the role of Managing Director.
Kennedy’s journey at Big Life began in March 2006, starting from a junior position and steadily climbing the ranks over 18 years. Her previous role as General Manager, which she held for 12 years, laid the foundation for her new role as Managing Director.
Roberts, joining the team in 2007 as an A&R scout, has proven his knack for discovering talent, with notable signings including La Roux and The Sound of Arrows. Kilcourse returned to Big Life in 2017, having previously been with the company from 201-2012, and brought with her a roster of artists including Orla Gartland and Look Mum No Computer.
Together, these three partners boast over 40 years of service to Big Life, contributing to relationships with clients such as Bloc Party, We Are Scientists, and The Futureheads.
The announcement coincides with a wave of achievements and upcoming projects from Big Life’s roster. Kate Nash, managed by Kennedy, has inked a deal with indie label Kill Rock Stars, and is set to release her new album, 9 Sad Symphonies, in June. Roberts’ client, Bloc Party, is gearing up for a new milestone, selling out their largest headline show to date at London’s Crystal Palace Park in celebration of their 20th anniversary.
“It’s a true honor to be leading the company into its next phase alongside two of my best friends, Colin and Claire. They both inspire me, challenge me, and make me laugh every single day.”
Kat Kennedy, Big Life Management
Kilcourse-managed Orla Gartland is also making waves, re-signing with the Orchard for new music releases and embarking on a tour with her indie-pop supergroup project, FIZZ. Liz Lawrence, co-managed by Roberts and Kennedy, has recently dropped singles from her upcoming album, Peanuts, slated for release in June.
“It’s a true honor to be leading the company into its next phase alongside two of my best friends, Colin and Claire. They both inspire me, challenge me, and make me laugh every single day, and it’s a delight to see them having such success with their incredible artists,” said Kennedy.
“Their promotion to partner is truly deserved. We’re also really lucky to have a great team around us and I’m excited to see our young managers Natalie Meadham and Dana Landman continue to grow with the company too. We are all grateful to Tim [Parry] for putting his trust into us to continue the legacy of the company he co-founded with Jazz [Summers], and we hope to do him proud.”
“I’m really proud to see how Kat, Claire, and Colin have developed their skills through the years they have been at Big Life… The longstanding relationships they have built with their clients are testament to their dedication, thoughtfulness, and expertise as managers.”
Tim Parry, Big Life Management
Reservoir President and Chief Operating Officer Rell Lafargue added, “Kat, Colin and Claire have been dedicated Big Life employees for years and built a company based on loyalty, talented clients, and consistent results. We are proud to announce their stepping into new roles as partners, and we will continue to support their team and roster with our high-touch attention and global reach.”
Tim Parry, Big Life Co-Founder, said, “I’m really proud to see how Kat, Claire, and Colin have developed their skills through the years they have been at Big Life, and they’ve all shown incredible loyalty to the company.”
“The longstanding relationships they have built with their clients are testament to their dedication, thoughtfulness, and expertise as managers, and I look forward to the continuing success they will bring to the Big Life brand.”
Parry co-founded Big Life in 1986 with the late Jazz Summers. The company has worked with the likes of The Verve, Snow Patrol, Badly Drawn Boy, London Grammar, La Roux, Coldcut, Lisa Stansfield, Yazz, Jacknife Lee, Youth, The Futureheads, and Klaxons among others.
Reservoir signed a partnership with Big Life Management and its music publishing arm Big Life Music in 2017, expanding the company’s operations to include artist management activities.
In 2023, Reservoir posted a 14.6% YoY increase in revenues to USD $140.5 million, from $122.6 million in 2022.
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