Panel members were selected based on their skills and experience, and with the aim of ensuring they represent the diversity of the nightlife and creative sectors, including various age groups and cultural backgrounds.

All applications were assessed by a panel of City staff based on selection criteria in the advisory panel’s terms of reference .

We called for nominations to the panel in early 2018 and 15 experts were selected from 126 applications. The panel members represent the hospitality, live music and performance, theatre, festivals, retail, business and public safety sectors.

The Nightlife and Creative Sector Advisory Panel advises the City on how we can best work with industry, business and other government agencies to support a thriving, diverse and safe nightlife. It also advises on new initiatives, identifies emerging issues and opportunities for Sydney’s night-time economy, and helps the City engage with local creative, cultural and nightlife communities.

Image: The panel was photographed at the small bar Since I Left You, 338 Kent Street, Sydney

For more information about the City’s advisory panel, please contact:

The panel will be similar to models already operating in other global cities such as Amsterdam, Berlin, London and New York. It will meet 4 times a year and be co-chaired by a City of Sydney Councillor.

Panel members

Justine Baker

Chief Executive Officer, Solotel Group

Representing cafes and restaurants, Justine has 25 years experience in hospitality and is a member of the Music and Arts Economy Round table and Director of the Solotel Group.

Justine is CEO of one of the largest hospitality groups in Sydney, operating 16 diversevenues in the City of Sydney local area and 16 other venues, and employs approximately 2,000 staff.

Operations include restaurants such as Aria, Chophouse and Chiswick, and the provisionof food and beverage services at Sydney Opera House Opera Bar and Art Gallery of NSW.

As the CEO of the Solotel Group, Justine is also involved in temporary events like the St George Open Air Cinema and is responsible for the Solotel chain of hotels in Sydney and Brisbane including the Clock in Surry Hills, the Kings Cross Hotel and the MarlboroughHotel in Newtown.

Justine brings leadership which encourages diversity of thought and believes that changeis a cross industry and joint responsibility of the night-time economy ecosystem.

John Green

Director Liquor and Policing, Australian Hotels Association (AHA)

Representing hotels, John works and lives in the city and has vast experience in liquor licensing policy gained during his 26 years with the NSW Police and as a Director of AHA NSW since 2008.

As an executive in the peak industry association for hotels, John is responsible for all liquor and policing related advocacy and policy development on behalf of AHA NSW. He has extensive experience on many advisory and working groups associated with crime prevention and the night-time economy. John has direct contact with and works proactively to support all hotels throughout the City of Sydney local area.

Jessie Xiao

Director, Umi Group & Vice President, Haymarket Chamber of Commerce

Representing the Haymarket precinct, Jessie Xiao is a qualified Chartered Accountant, with 17 years of experience in top tier accounting firms, fund management companies & her own business enterprises. She has co-founded 8 restaurants, karaoke venues & entertainment businesses within the Sydney LGA, with the majority of these located within the Haymarket precinct.

As well as being business focused, she is also socially responsible by giving back to the community through her 15 years of charitable work with a recognised woman’s network – Way In Network, where she has been the vice-president for the last six years.

Jessie is also heavily involved in her local business community through her current role as Vice President of the Haymarket Chamber of Commerce as well as committee member with the Australian Chinese Restaurateur Association.

Jessie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in operating nightlife businesses and is committed to a vibrant and diverse night time economy across Sydney.

Joy Ng

Owner, The Bearded Tit

Representing small bars, Joy lives and works in Redfern and has been a small business owner in the area for the past 5 years. She has also been a creative, performer and cultural creator in Sydney for the past 10 years.

Joy has played an active role in shaping Sydney's night-time culture over the past decade and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as both a resident and small business owner. She is also keen to contribute her knowledge and insights gained from growing up in the 24 hour city of Taipei which has a diverse nightlife that is not centred on mass alcohol consumption.

Joy is personally and professionally invested in working to improve and diversify Sydney's nightlife.

Joshua Green (under 30)

General Manager, Side Bar

Representing small bars, Joshua works in Haymarket and after completing a Bachelor of Social Science (criminal Justice) degree, decided to embark on a career in hospitality.

Joshua gained experience working in a wide range of licensed premises in Sydney, before taking up the role as General Manager of Side Bar. As an avid musician and performer, he has experience working in the music and live entertainment scene, performing in pubs and clubs since he was 16 years old. Joshua has developed sound knowledge in the logistics, financials, operations and compliance requirements of operating a licensed venue and is passionate about Sydney’s nightlife.

Joshua believes that invigoration of Sydney nightlife can only happen if everyone, all stakeholders, are benefiting from its growth.

Kerri Glasscock

Director, Venue 505/Sydney Fringe Festival

Representing performance space, Kerri works in Surry Hills and Newtown and has been operating an artist-run venue in the city for 14 years and has been Festival Director/CEO of the Sydney Fringe Festival since 2013.

Kerri has been operating the award winning and internationally acclaimed Venue 505 as an artist-run live music and theatre space in Sydney for 14 years. They have been

producing over 320 productions and attracting tens of thousands of patrons each year.

Sydney Fringe Festival is the largest independent arts festival in NSW and presents 350 productions across the 30 day festival and includes all art forms and genres. Kerri has been the Director of City Recital Hall Sydney since 2016 and has extensive experience on many advisory and working groups associated with live music and performance.

Kerri believes it is vital that a global city has diverse cultural infrastructure and a vibrant nightlife.

Kat Dopper

Director/Producer, Heaps Gay and Mardi Gras Festival

Representing festival/events producers, Kat works and lives in Redfern and is an experienced event producer specialising in the music and youth market

Kat has over a decade of experience in event production and is the founder of Heaps Gay, an all-inclusive events community and media platform. In December 2015 she launched the not-for-profit platforms heapsgay.com and video channel for LGBTI young people. Kat is on the Board of Directors for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and is also a fortnightly guest presenter on FBi Radio. Winning awards for her events, Kat is a sought-after speaker at local and national music forums and advisor to local government.

Kat is passionate about music and culture and cares about creating a cultural city through art and experiences.

Emily Collins

Managing Director, Music NSW

Representing live music producers, Emily works in Glebe and has extensive knowledge of the contemporary music sector in Sydney.

In her role at MusicNSW Emily engages with artists, managers, labels, venues and other music businesses and organisations on a range of important issues. Emily is directly engaged with live music venue operators and producers and has developed a deep understanding of the music business and creative music career development. She is on the Board of Music NSW (ex-officio) and Australian Music Industry Network and is a member of the National Live Music Awards Board and sits on a number of advisory committees and working groups.

Emily is well-placed to ensure that music is well represented in the conversations about Sydney's future and vibrancy.