Top music venue boss to become new Wallingford Town Council clerk

Now, in an usual career move, he has swapped the glamorous lifestyle of managing arts venues to become the clerk to Wallingford Town Council.

Mr Baskeyfield, 43, from Cholsey, has spent the last 22 years managing the UK’s top entertainment hotspots.

The father-of-one is leaving the bright lights behind and, from July 1, when current town clerk Andrew Rogers retires after 14 years in the role, he will manage the council’s annual budget of £600,000.

Mr Baskeyfield said: “I’ve met quite a few famous people over the years and I suppose you can become a little bit blasé about it.

“From 2002 to 2004 I was manager of Hammersmith Apollo, and in one week we hosted David Bowie, Prince and The Darkness.

“I got to meet David Bowie and Justin Hawkins, the lead singer of The Darkness, but no one gets to meet Prince.

“I have also met Mick Hucknall and Kylie Minogue.

“People on the interview panel at the town council did ask me if I would find the work dull.

“After the showbiz life I have led it will be a change in direction, but for the past 22 years I have worked long and unsociable hours and I really wanted a change.

“They seem like a very nice bunch of people in Wallingford and I look forward to working with them.”

Mr Baskeyfield, his wife Nicola, and son Oliver, five, have lived in Cholsey since since 2006.

He added: “I hope my experience in working with people, managing buildings and my organisational skills should be of some use to Wallingford.”

He has managed Apollo Victoria, the Hammersmith Apollo and Oxford’s New Theatre, and was a music promoter for acts including Stereophonics, Simply Red and Tracy Chapman.

Mayor of Wallingford Ros Lester said: “At the interview and presentation the town council were impressed with Mr Baskeyfield’s very keen interest and enthusiasm for the post of the town clerk, and for the well-being of the town of Wallingford.”

The post was advertised in January with a salary of up to £43,721.