Derek Birrell and John Little on board for 2012

The machine behind the Guernsey Festival is ever-expanding, following the success of last year’s event. The most recent additions to the team – Derek Birrell and John Little - bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Derek Birrell began his career in the music industry when he started a record label in Glasgow. He then went on to work as a label manager for Sony BMG. With the bottom falling out of the record business, Derek made the move to tour management with bands including Primal Scream, Sunday headliners at last year’s festival.


Mr Birrell will assume overall responsibility for the main stage, and will oversee the festival production manager, stage managers and other key members of the festival team.  He will also act as consultant to the festival, ensuring that it is run at a level akin to professional UK festivals.

The second addition to the team is John Little. He became acquainted with the Guernsey Festival when Centre Circle, the company he is a director and co-owner of, were contracted for stewarding and security at last year’s event. He will return this year as appointed safety officer but has also invested in the event and is now a co-owner.
He has been involved in public safety for many years, serving three decades in The London Fire Brigade and later working at many major public events, including music festivals.


The Guernsey Festival is a major music and cultural event that saw its debut last year under the name The Guernsey Festival of Performing Arts and was a huge success. With the likes of Ocean Colour Scene, Primal Scream and Example appearing, the festival was later shortlisted in the Best New Festival category of the UK Festival Awards.

The festival is situated on farmland known locally as ‘the Rabbit Warren’ in the parish of St Sampson on the Channel Island of Guernsey and will take place on 23 and 24 June.