Live Nation appoints Guy Ngata to develop venues in ANZ region

Live Nation has appointed Guy Ngata as senior vice president for venue development.

He will report to Roger Field, the company’s Melbourne-based president in Asia Pacific, and is tasked with expanding into more clubs, theatres, and arenas in the region.

Ngata arrives from ASM Global, where he served as CEO of the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.

The ANZ hiring coincides with the appointment of Richard Tsuchida as venue director, Japan.

His previous posts were in Shanghai at the Mercedes-Benz Arena and tenures in Sydney at the All-Phones Arena (currently Qudos Bank Arena), along with both Spark Arena and Eden Park stadium in his hometown of Auckland.

Field, while welcoming Ngata and Tsuchida, said: “With several existing projects in the pipeline, their combined experience and knowledge will greatly enhance our existing venue team to propel and drive our venue development strategy to the next level, with the most compelling proposition for venue construction, operations, and management throughout the Asia Pacific.”

Live Nation APAC’s current portfolio of venues includes the 12,000 capacity Spark Arena in Auckland, the 2,800 capacity Palais Theatre in Melbourne, the 3,000 capacity Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane and the soon to be opened Grange Road in Singapore.

Ngata is tasked with building LN’s venue portfolio across Australia and New Zealand and will lead the company’s tenders and bids for upcoming arena projects in Australia.

Priorities include the Brisbane Arena tender ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games, which will see Live Nation partner with US-based global venue development and investment company Oak View Group and Australian investor, developer, and manager of public infrastructure Plenary Group.

“Live Nation is a world-class venue operator with a proven track record of establishing industry-leading venues that artists and fans love, and I’m thrilled to be joining at a time of immense opportunity and growth,” Ngata said.

“I look forward to working with the team in continuing Live Nation’s mission to deliver a new standard for venues with world-class hospitality and state-of-the-art technology, as well as the best live entertainment content pipeline for fans to enjoy.”