NoiseLab.co.uk - NOISELAB team

NOISE Team

Denise Proctor - NOISE CEO

Denise Proctor, NOISE CEO and Charity Trustee is recognised within the music industry as the figure who pioneered the single music download revolution, ten years before it became industry standard. Denise setup NOISE in 2004 with a view to finding the funding, sponsors and media partners to deliver a whole range of unique projects that make up the NOISE festival.

Denise comes from a highly successful background in online initiatives having set up PWP, one of the first UK interactive design companies that created the world's first interactive music CDrom with video. PWP went onto win a plethora of awards including "Best Web Design" for the Manic Street Preachers (Sony) and 'The Times' Award for E-Commerce. Denise also worked with Lord David Puttnam in the setting up of NESTA Futurelab bringing together the games and education industries, and with AIM (Association of Independent Music) to establish an E-Commerce strategy for UK independent music labels.

Denise has directed a host of music videos (including No.1 selling artists), adverts, television titles and documentary pieces for BBC television, ARD and SFDRS. She has a BA from New York University and St. Martins School of Art, an MA in film directing from the Royal College of Art and a MBA in finance at Manchester Business School.

Victoria Turnbull - Operations Manager

Victoria Turnbull graduated from Salford University with a degree in Media Production. Here she learnt such skills as audio and video post-production as well as website and graphic design. Before joining NOISE, Victoria undertook work placements with Key 103 and BBC Radio Manchester and produced and presented her own shows on Youth FM and Sheffield College's station 'Radio Cake'. At NOISE, Victoria works closely with NOISE talent, particularly on radio and television projects, co-ordinating a wide range of projects including the "NOISE Urban Songwriter competition" and the "Gypsy Fair" documentary, for which she has trained as an Arts Award Advisor.

Lab Team

Gina Hewitt - Project Manager

Gina is a freelance project manager and events co-ordinator who specialises in city wide live music and creative industry events as well as unique, site-specific arts entertainment. Starting out at Manchester Academy, Gina cut her teeth in rock'n'roll but progressed to work with Futuresonic, In The City, Liverpool Capital of Culture, Manchester International Festival, SXSW and various music festivals and brand events.

Gina has helped to deliver NOISE live events for the past year - transforming Manchester Town Hall into a festival site slash creative happening for Creative Futures and event managing the NOISE Non Formal Education Symposium during the Conservative Party Conference in 2009.

Outside of her work Gina's interests include rubbish old cars, obscure loud bands, dogs and dive bars.

Christina Pavlou - Shop Manager

Christina graduated from Manchester School of Art with a BA in Illustration and Animation, where she met her design double and formed 'Full Cream Ahead', a collaborative design initiative, under which she has been commissioned by several Manchester based companies.

Whilst at University, Christina was involved in North West Street Art Gallery: Upper Space and exhibited at the gallery's debut show alongside Jon Burgerman, David Earl Dixon (Dist) and SheOne. After graduating she worked for a short period as a window dresser for Oxfam, instigating live art into their new campaigns.

Christina is a part of the VJ collective BTEC who have been pioneering 'Adventures in YouTube'- with only their laptops, a mixer and 'YouTube' as their record bag and visual library.

When not doing really important things Christina can be found drinking tea, trying to like red wine and attempting to complete her first wheel of cheese.

Dan English - Lab Intern

Dan is an Event Management student at Manchester College. He has helped the Project Manager set up Noise Lab and in doing so has gained valuable experience and skills, and sees it as an excellent way to contribute to Manchester's thriving creative industries.

Dan has lived in the city for the last six years, and in that time has established the respected monthly club night Naive Melody and has been a selector at some of Manchester's best parties.

Simon Snow - Cafe Manager

Noise Lab recruited Simon through the City College where he has recently completed a Hospitality and Catering course. Previous to training on this course he was employed as a Welding Technician in Staffordshire. When the call of the wild became too much to ignore Simon left his job to spend a year travelling New Zealand. When he returned to the UK he wanted a change of career and a new home so moved to Manchester to pursue his dream to work in the hospitality industry.

In his spare time Simon enjoys outdoor pursuits - especially those involving motorcycles.

Volunteers

Katie Percival

As a student aspiring for a career in art or design I see it as vital to gain knowledge of the art industry.

When noise lab opened in Manchester I saw this as chance to find out about current artists and trends as well as being part of a project which I think is a great idea.

Marta Julve Obón

Marta is 23 years old and an art graduate from Zaragoza, Spain.

She came to England to find work experience and to be a volunteer. In her free time she paints and takes portrait photographs.

She would like to make a photo book about her experiences in Manchester.

Julia Formina

23 year old illustrator currently living in Manchester and studied at Blackpool University.

Her main interests will be Art, Illustration and Photography, but loves anything creative and enjoys working with creative people.

She hopes to become an Art tutor and work with kids.

Elliott Dobbs

Elliott lives in Manchester and is interested in anything that's art and music related. He runs his own events and tries to get involved in other projects which capture his imagination.

Eliott says, "Meeting Pete Fowler and discussing music and album covers was the highlight for me whilst working for Noise. I work with a collective putting on exhibitions around the UK so it's always inspiring to be involved with a company that promotes such a diverse amount of talent."

Anais Biaux
Arul Madhaven
Edd Butt
Manuella Blackburn
Marc Gallanders
Rachael Williams
Sherelle Bailey

Lab Technicians

Paul Musco - Handy Man

Paul was recently made redundant from Manchester's In The City music convention. He started there as an intern and ended up working there full time for nearly two years. He was a massive help in getting the shop and shop windows painted and is a very nifty van driver.

Paul says, "Working at Noise was a good chance to earn some money before Christmas and reconnect with Manchester's creative scene. I am hoping to find more work in the creative industries in the future and having a venture as special as Noise on my CV will be really helpful."

Suzanne Pearson - Plumber

I am an independent female plumber who has been in the business since a career change in 2006. In 2008 I started my own business with the main aim of delivering excellence of workmanship, customer service and value for money.

When I dropped out of university I worked as an administrator to get money for the weekends, then I saw the media coverage saying that there was a shortage of plumbers and realised I would be much happier doing something more practical. I went to college part time for two years at Mancat whilst still working in an office. Manual trades were never something that was offered as an option when I got my careers advice at school, but now I really enjoy it.

Peter Hollingworth - Electrician

Peter is a fully qualified electrician who has been out of work for nearly twelve months.

Since completing this contract for NOISE he has been able to find a temporary full time position through an agency.

In his spare time Peter is renowned DJ and also runs his own record label Human Shield.

Kenneth Burke - Van Man

Ken and his friend Marc have just started their own transportation company, BB Removals. They have been instrumental in most of the lifting, carrying and van driving involved in opening the NOISE Lab (including ripping up the carpet).

Ken also has experience of volunteering with young people as he has previously spent time educating young offenders.

Michael Wright - Carpenter Apprenticeship

Michael is 17 years old and is studying Joinery at Moston College, he is also a part time carer. He is in his second year and has already achieved his Level 1 Diploma. Although he has always got good grades Michael has been finding it hard to find a placement. He spent a week at the Noise Lab assisting with building the cafe and retail counters.

Kieron Doherty - Carpenter