Tony Mercer is recognised as one of the World’s leading directors of theatre-on-ice shows. His productions over the past ten years have toured extensively throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

In 1983, Tony began travelling the world, lighting shows and working as a tour manager and production manager for such international artists as The Three Degrees, Dion ne Warwick, The Supremes, Elkie Brooks, Kool & The Gang, The Commodores, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Jack Jones , Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes to name just a few, before going on to manage The Dooleys.

In 1993 Tony was invited to join Wild Rose Ice Theatre as Production Executive for the company’s first tour of The Sleeping Beauty on Ice and was eventually appointed Artistic Di rector. In 1994 Tony directed his first ice show, Summer Ice Spectacular, and went on to direct Phantom Of The Opera on Ice, Barnum on Ice, Carmen on Ice, Cinderella on Ice, a second tour of Sleeping Beauty on Ice, Peter Pan on Ice, and most recently the 2003 Australasian touring production of The Nutcracker On Ice. In 2004 he created The Imperial Ice Stars and is the Artistic Director of The Sleeping Beauty on Ice.

The Local Radio Company plc owns and operates 27 local radio licences across the UK, from Falkirk in Scotland to the Isle of Wight and from Hastings to Yeovil.

The Local Radio Company plc was formed to purchase the entire share capital of Radio Investments Ltd in May 2004. Radio Investments Ltd was one of the first investors in commercial radio, investing in London's Capital Radio back in 1973. Since then, it has in various forms specialised in the development of local radio stations and is well placed to take advantage of changes in the radio industry over the next few years.

Based in High Wycombe, we also jointly own and operate the national sales house First Radio Sales in London and Manchester with UTV, creating radio advertising and marketing campaigns for our clients including the AA, Asda, Blockbuster Entertainment, Morrisons, Tesco, Vodafone, News International and many more on 113 local radio stations across the UK accounting for 46.6 million hours per week, which is 13% of all local commercial listening.

Simon Cooke
Managing Director - Enterprises

Simon was Enterprise Director at jazz fm. He was responsible for developing its non-radio activities to a revenue stream of £4.5 million within five years, representing 60 per cent. of the company’s turnover. This was achieved through the successful development of five record labels, notably jazz fm Records and Hed Kandi Records, and the creation of an events programme, concert promotions and the web site, jazz fm.com. Prior to jazz fm, Simon was Managing Director of Burniston Cooke, a music and sports merchandising and events company. Previously, he was Managing Director of Firstflame Ltd, the European Production and Distribution arm of US-based Brockum Inc, the world’s leading music touring and merchandising group at that time.

One of three founding directors, Simon Cooke has responsibilty for developing new areas of business for the group. The company mostly works in geographic areas compatible with its radio stations, which are mainly based in the NW, NE and the south. Non radio projects have to date included Drive-in movies and concert promoting, and now an ice rink.