MAMA Confirms James’ Departure

The MAMA Group has confirmed that co-founder and former chief exec Dean James has left the firm, apparently to focus on other interests.

James, who founded MAMA with business partner Adam Driscoll in 2005, growing it out of its Channelfly roots into a 360-degree live music business firm, has been on “gardening leave” since the beginning of August.

“There will be an official statement in due course,” he said at the time.

CMU is now reporting that James has decided to leave the business.

Richard Thompson, chairman of Lloyds Development Capital , which stumped up most of the $11.7 million that enabled James to buy the company from HMV – just before the troubled entertainment retailer went into administration.

HMV acquired MAMA in 2010.

The company continues to run a network of venues around the UK, a tour and festival promotion business, which has interests in events like Wilderness, Lovebox, Global Gathering and The Great Escape.

LTC isn’t talking about the future management structure at MAMA but is also promising a statement in due course.