Advisory panel unveiled

A panel of people working in the UK live comedy sector have signed up to support the Live Comedy Association.

The new advisory panel includes producers, comedians, journalists, agents and academics who will meet regularly with the LCA team to help support the 1,800 members from across the UK.

Members of the panel include Adnan Ahmed from Sky Studios, Donald Taffner Jnr from DLT Entertainment, Mick Perrin from Mick Perrin Worldwide, Steve Bennett from Chortle, Lynne Parker from Funny Women, comedian Janice Connolly  and agent Lee Martin from Gag Reflex. The Chair is Katy Koren from Edinburgh’s Gilded Balloon. The full membership of the panel is at https://livecomedyassociation.co.uk/advisory-panel

The LCA was set up during the pandemic to support those working in live comedy and is currently lobbying the government about the economic, cultural and social impact of the sector.

Koren, pictured, said: ‘In a relatively short amount of time, the organisation has made significant progress in getting politicians, policy makers and decision makers to understand more about what we do, the impact that live comedy can make and the support needed to help the sector grow and sustain itself. 

‘I believe it's important we work together in order to achieve all of this and more and I look forward to working with colleagues as part of the advisory panel."

Jessica Toomey, who runs Manchester’s Frog And Bucket comedy club and is co-chair of the LCA said: ‘The expertise on the panel is incredible and we look forward to hearing from members about what we should be focusing on.  It’s exciting times for us all, especially given the forthcoming Parliament meeting where we will be able to speak to MPs about the impact live comedy has on the UK.’

Co-chair David Elphick added: 'These first members of the advisory panel are just the start.  We’d love to hear from other members who might want to contribute to our conversations and join the panel’.

Membership of the Live Comedy Association continues to be free and open to anyone currently working in any aspect of the live comedy sector. The next members’ meeting is at 2.30pm next Wednesday via Zoom. Register here.

 The advisory panel will meet three times a year. 

Published: 23 Apr 2025