Backup is delighted to announce well-known industry figure, Koy Neminathan, as a new trustee of the organisation and head of its Ambassador Programme. 

Koy, who is Business Development Director at Elation Professional and PLASA Manufacturer’s representative, is no stranger to the demands and pressures of the live entertainment industry.  Following the events of the COVID-19 pandemic, he saw the very real challenges the industry faced, and vowed to put the needs of others before himself. 

“I felt like helping others was what had to be done, it was such an important thing for me,” says Koy. “You’ve got to help those who can’t always help themselves and, particularly during the pandemic, I felt it was imperative to do what I could to support our industry at a time where people were struggling in so many ways and mental health became a massive issue – people were suffering in silence. That’s what led me to think about joining Backup.” 

During the pandemic, Koy worked with the #WeMakeEvents campaign, an initiative that was set up to raise awareness of the lack of support for freelancers and companies within the entertainment industry, by helping coordinate the campaign across 40 countries and continues to work for the good of the industry today.

Discussions surrounding his potential involvement with Backup began back in March 2023, when fellow Backup trustee, Paul Robson, approached him looking for a fresh, young mind to join the organisation. “I’ve always respected the charity and the individuals behind it, so I thought, why not? Let’s take a leap and do something different!” says Koy. 

Backup warmly welcomes Koy onboard, and the team is already benefitting from new ideas and innovations he brings to the organisation. “I wanted to bring a fresh perspective to the table about what we can do to raise more money and help more people,” Koy adds. “It’s not just about adding different events, but about how we get more of the industry understanding what Backup does, how to get more contributions, and highlight the good the charity is doing.”

“Koy is a fantastic addition to Backup,” concludes Backup Chair, Piers Shepperd. “He’s already adding a new approach and having him dedicated to the Ambassador Programme will help us continue the work we do to help the industry.”