Manager Spotlight offers a small insight into the heads of incredible managers. This week in the spotlight is Chloe Roberts of First Access Entertainment!

How long have you worked in Management? 

More than 15 years.

Who do you manage now?

The company manages Rita Ora, Winnie Harlow, Ray Blk, Madisson Beer, Evan Ross, Conor Maynard, Issaac Elliot and host of exciting developing and emerging artists.

Where did you find your first client and what inspired you to take them on?

My first client was my younger sister ‘Jem’, she would play demos down the phone to me while she was at Uni. One day she persuaded me to meet her lawyer (Sarah Stennett), who pretty much offered to set up a business with me on the spot to co-manage Jem. Jem’s debut ‘Finally Woken’ sold a million copies worldwide on ATO Records/SonyBMG, it broke out of KCRW in LA (Nic Harcourt), she co-wrote a song with Madonna, got syncs in her sleep and toured extensively. Success came quickly so I was thrown in at the deep end and on a global scale.

What’s a good/bad day at work look like for you?

Good day = being super productive, negotiating/closing deals and fine tuning release planning. Bad day = unnecessary dramas and letting people go.

What has been the highlight of your management career to date?

Too many highlights, each at different stages of artists careers. For example, the first time you hear them on the radio, or just out while shopping on some store playlist, the first time they play iconic venues like Shepherds Bush, Brixton, The 02, the first time they play Reading & Leeds, Glastonbury, Coachella, Lolapalooza, the first big TV performance, the first awards show. I think being in this business most of us are not star struck however, attempting to strike up a casual conversation with Madonna on a transatlantic flight was a highlight, not because it was a particularly welcomed conversation (by her), but because it was Madonna. If I had to pick one, it would be whenever an artist that I am connected to, has played the main stage at Glastonbury, there is just something about that Festival and the connection to people, that is everything.

What do you think are the big challenges for a manager in 2020? 

Aside from the obvious impact of Covid – how to be all things to all clients: manager, label, publisher, merchandiser, promotor, mentor, friend. How to be available at all times and though all moods and still sleep, eat and exercise. How to keep up with WhatsApp messages/groups and constantly evolving technology (apparently as a race we are going to evolve and grow with larger thumbs).

What music are you currently listening to?

Mood dependent either ‘Inner World’ by His Holiness the Dalai Lama or Special Request – Stairfoot Lane Bunker (Minor Science Remix).