Solent graduate awarded national ‘30 Under 30’ recognition

Hugo, who graduated from Solent University with a music degree in 2018, is now Deputy General Manager at the O2 Guildhall – one of Southampton’s most iconic cultural venues.

Hugo says that being recognised at this stage in his career is an absolute honour, adding, “I couldn’t believe I had been named. The class is full of brilliant professionals within the event industry, and to be named alongside them is a real milestone, a real pinch me moment.”

Since joining the O2 Guildhall, Hugo has become a key contributor to Southampton’s vibrant music scene. From supporting the delivery of shows that bring thousands of fans into the city to helping create a welcoming and community‑focused culture, he loves how the role allows him to see the impact live music has on people.

“I come to work not knowing what each day will bring, but seeing more than a thousand fans leave a venue smiling makes every challenge worth it. We had a gig at the O2 Guildhall in November where I spoke to a group of men in their late 50s who had seen the same band 40 years ago, how amazing is that?” he adds.

Originally from the Netherlands and raised in Belgium, Hugo's contribution to the city highlights the vital role that graduate talent plays in strengthening the communities where they study – economically, culturally and socially. Having lived in Southampton for more than a decade, he never expected the city to become home – but the opportunities, people and culture have kept him here.

“Southampton has such a rich music heritage – from grassroots venues like The Joiners and The Brook to major spaces like the O2 Guildhall and The Mayflower. It’s a pretty special city.”

As well as introducing him to the city, a community of lifelong friends and music business contacts, Hugo credits Solent University with providing the practice-led learning and industry insight that helped shape his career direction.

“Solent gave me the opportunity to discover exactly what my passions were. The lecturers had extensive real‑world experience, and the industry‑focused, practical nature of the course was invaluable,” he says.

Throughout his degree, Hugo gained real world experience working at legendary music venue The Brook – a place that he describes as his second home for more than four years. This foundation, combined with Solent’s practice‑led learning environment, helped guide him into management roles in hospitality and later at the O2 Guildhall.

He values the support of colleagues at the O2 Guildhall, including General Manager Ian, in helping him develop into his career.

“Ian has a great vision for progression and invests heavily in the team – I was lucky to learn from that first-hand. When the Deputy General Manager role became available, I knew this was where I wanted to grow.”

Looking to the future, Hugo remains focused on developing both himself and the team around him.

“I love the job, the venue and the people I work with. My goal now is to continue growing and to help others grow too.”

As well as supporting his colleagues, Hugo remains close to his former University - regularly returning to give guest talks and offer work experience opportunities to music minded Solent students.

“We are very proud of Hugo’s recent achievements - and it’s great to see him receive external recognition at this early stage of his career”, says James Hannam, Course Leader of BA (Hons) Music Business and BA (Hons) Event Management. Since graduating, Hugo has remained a great friend to our courses by offering guest talks, work experience opportunities and venue tours. We wish Hugo well as his career continues to develop.”

A music degree at Solent combines the excitement of real-world practice alongside in-depth research on a wide range of music issues. In addition to our own industry events and conferences, you can also get involved in Southampton’s music scene, with a wide range of venues across the city catering for all musical tastes. You can find out more about the music degrees on offer at Solent University here.