Caroline James is the General Manager of Utilita Arena Newcastle, part of the ASM Global portfolio which includes over 450 venues around the world. Caroline sits on the board of Generator and Newcastle Gateshead Music City and is committed to the North Easts music ecosystem.
Her career spans diverse venues, including hospitality venues, theatres, arenas, stadiums, and community spaces in the UK, New Zealand, and Doha, with vast expertise in event management, operations, sales and marketing, business development, catering, and premium. Caroline worked across many facets of the entertainment and events industry, including sport, music, live shows, television productions, and corporate events.
In 2018, Caroline relocated to Newcastle, joining the team at Utilita Arena Newcastle. By January 2023, she had risen to the position of General Manager, where she now leads the venue through a busy calendar of high-profile events, including sell-out shows by artists such as Florence and The Machine, Girls Aloud, and The Stokes. Under her leadership, the arena has already undergone a £1.75 million refurbishment with a further £65 mil committed. Hosting the Mobos and Mercurys in 2025 while celebrating the Arenas 30th anniversary has further cemented its status as Newcastle’s premier live entertainment destination.