Union Chapel London Preps For 150th Anniversary With New Leadership

Union Chapel, one of London’s most distinctive and respected live music venues, has announced two new senior appointments as it builds towards an ambitious year-round program of cultural events for its 150th anniversary in 2027.

Lesley Saville has joined the Board of Union Chapel Directions, and Lara Coker has been appointed as Events and Venue Operations Manager, having previously served as Commercial Director at Bush Hall.

Saville joins with over 20 years’ experience across the entertainment and cultural sectors, and a proven track record of developing venues as both commercial destinations and cultural landmarks. She spent over a decade leading commercial and partnerships teams for the Millennium Dome, supporting its transformation into The O2, and most recently served a six-year term as a Non-Executive Director of the Winter Gardens Blackpool, supporting the diversification of programming and the growth of new revenue streams.

Coker joins Union Chapel’s events and operations team, bringing extensive experience in live event delivery, artist liaison and venue operations. She joins from Bush Hall, where she spent nine years working across venue programming and events management. In her new role, Coker will support Union Chapel’s busy annual calendar and play a key role in delivering an exceptional experience for artists, promoters and audiences.

“The appointments enhance Union Chapel’s commercial and operational leadership during a period of increasing demand for the venue’s distinctive live experience,” according to the press announcement.

A Grade I-listed Gothic Revival church in London Islington, Union Chapel is renowned for its exceptional acoustics, atmosphere, and sense of intimacy – a combination that has made it a favourite among artists, audiences, and promoters alike.

With a capacity of 900, Union Chapel hosts around 250 live events each year, including music, comedy, spoken word, film, and podcast recordings.

Standout performances at Union Chapel have included Ed Sheeran, Mavis Staples, Laura Marling, Damon Albarn, Jacob Collier, Paloma Faith, Wolf Alice, Nick Cave, and Michael Kiwanuka, alongside an ever-evolving program of both established names and emerging talent.

The most recent box office report submitted to Pollstar for a Union Chapel concerts is from two shows by Levi.Sct, Jan. 29 & 31, promoted by KMJ Entertainment and Junzi Arts, which moved a total 1,774 tickets at a $54,965 gross.

In December, Italian singer-songwriter performed at the venue, selling 845 tickets for a $31,564 gross, promoted by Vivo Concerti.

Ed Sheeran played an acoustic fundraising show at Union Chapel in 2022, and has said about the place: “I’ve wanted to play Union Chapel for ages… It’s always been on my list… It’s a beautiful space.”

Notably, Jacob Collier played Union Chapel on his last UK arena tour in 2024, highlighting the venue’s reputation as a space where major artists choose to deliver once-in-a-lifetime performances.

As Union Chapel looks ahead to its 150th anniversary celebrations in 2027, the venue is developing plans for a program of curated and commissioned events that will celebrate its legacy as one of London’s most atmospheric and culturally significant stages.

Union Chapel is also expanding its program beyond traditional live shows, with increasing demand for spoken word events, podcast recordings and cultural conversations -a natural fit for the venue’s intimate atmosphere and outstanding acoustics.

These events now represent approximately 18% of Union Chapel’s annual programming, up from 8% in the previous year, supported by partnerships with leading organizations including Intelligence Squared and Fane.

Union Chapel is also home to The Margins Project, its charitable arm supporting people experiencing homelessness and other pertinent social justice barriers. Income generated through live events helps fund free community activities and services and supports the long-term restoration and sustainability of the historic building.

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Lesley Saville said: “Union Chapel is an iconic, one-of-a-kind venue in London. It has always held its own against larger or more modern spaces, and that’s not just down to the building’s uniqueness. Artists and promoters love the venue, and as a fan of live music, going to see a performance at Union Chapel is unlike any other musical event.”

Gordon Montgomery, Chair of Union Chapel Directions, said: “Lesley brings a huge level of expertise in venues both large and small. The team and I look forward to working with her as we continue to expand Union Chapel’s roster of first-class programming and strengthen the venue’s long-term commercial resilience, supporting both the building and the charity.”

Lara Coker said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Union Chapel, one of London’s most distinctive and respected venues. It’s a truly special space with a reputation for world-class programming, and I’m excited to work with the team to help deliver an exceptional experience for artists, promoters and audiences.”

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