Global live booking agency Roam has promoted Jess Kinn to partner, alongside two key hires that it says will further amplify the company’s range of artist services.
Malaika Thomas has joined as head of tour marketing and Saskia Collins will head up EU brand partnerships at Roam’s in-house brand strategy agency, companyX.
Jess Kinn, who joined Roam in October, was already a respected agent, representing artists including Olly Alexander (Years & Years), Africa Express, Moonchild Sanelly and the Mercury-nominated duo Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler. She has since added to this roster with a number of new signings, including Bimini, Pale Waves Mae Muller, Emma Harner, Precious Pepala and Solya.
Kinn also represents a number of Roam US signings for the rest of the world, including Say She She, Flower Face and Raegan, while two of her existing clients – Ruby Waters and The Aces – are now similarly represented by Roam on a global basis.
Aside from this expansion of her roster, Kinn’s promotion to partner reflects her leadership role within Roam and the wider industry.
One of the founding organisers of the recent Trans Mission benefit concert at London’s Wembley Arena, Kinn is also currently chairing an internal group supporting historically underrepresented genders. She provides mentoring as part of the partnership between Roam and Black Lives In Music.
She is supported by Roam’s senior tour coordinator, Harriet Quare.
Jess Kinn, partner, Roam, said: “I’ve always believed that being a good agent is about more than booking shows. It’s about advocating for my artists, standing for equality, and thinking creatively at every opportunity. I’m really excited to be bringing this approach with me to the leadership team at Roam, who I believe occupy a seat at the top table when it comes to driving culture and innovation within our industry. Building teams, whether it’s internally here at Roam or externally around the artist, is at the core of how I like to work and this partnership gives me the platform to do that with even greater intent and impact.”
In a statement, Roam said the new hires – Malaika Thomas and Saskia Collins – will “greatly enhance the company’s goal to globally champion and support artists at every stage of their journey, and to supplement live music expertise with a range of tailored services”.
Roam is thrilled to welcome these outstanding individuals into their new roles
Alex Bruford
As head of tour marketing, Malaika Thomas has joined from AEG Presents, where she led the marketing campaigns events including BST Hyde Park, All Points East and Roundhay Festival. She previously held marketing roles at Live Nation Entertainment within the international touring division, Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment within the international marketing divisions.
Saskia Collins has more than a decade’s experience developing collaborations that connect brands with culture. Joining from Universal Music Group’s Globe division, she led major partnerships for brands including Pinterest, Tia Maria, Rimmel, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola, Puma, Topshop, The Singleton, O2 and ELF Cosmetics. Collins worked on the Lewis Capaldi Lego Christmas campaign, which is nominated at the Music Week Awards.
Starting her career as part of the original team at SBTV, Collins later joined experiential agency ITCH Ltd, working across live music and brand activations including programming Virgin Media's stage at V Festival. She then spent six years at Save the Children, managing high-profile ambassador relationships and leading campaigns such as #BigUpUganda with Adwoa Aboah and Felix Cooper.
As head of EU partnerships at companyX, Roam’s in-house brand strategy agency, Collins’s remit includes ensuring that the company’s brand-related services cover all European territories and provide clients with a full global reach.
Alex Bruford, partner, Roam, said: “Jess has demonstrated exceptional character and ability across her roster and the wider company, so we are excited to see her talents flourish in a leadership role. Malaika has already proven instrumental in recent tour launches for Aldous Harding, Jungle and Westside Cowboy, while Saskia joins with over a decade’s music brand partnership experience, including her recent industry-recognised work for Lego and Lewis Capaldi. Roam is thrilled to welcome these outstanding individuals into their new roles.”
Launched in September 2025, Roam describes itself as the world’s biggest independent live booking agency.
Operating across six global offices, the company’s 80-plus staff represent more than 800 artists, including Fontaines DC, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, The Lumineers, Japanese Breakfast, Sufjan Stevens, Mac DeMarco, Madness, Amyl & The Sniffers, Andrew Bird, BadBadNotGood, Big Thief, Black Pumas, Goose, Glen Hansard, Jungle, Khruangbin, Mk.gee, Mt Joy and Royel Otis.
PHOTO: Paul Hampartsoumian
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