Shows
Nottingham Arena @ 25Episode 10 - Lee Smith & Cherry KnightThis is the final episode in the current series of this podcast.
We've been telling the story of the Nottingham Arena/National Ice Centre from conception to planning to building with all the highs and lows in between.
This episode celebrates the achievements of 2 long-serving members of staff - Lee Smith is senior events manager and has been here for over 20 years; Cherry Knight joined the organisation in 2004 and only recently retired.
Hear them both in conversation, along with their own personal highlights from working in the East Midlands biggest entertainment venue.
2025-05-2859 minNottingham Arena @ 25Episode 9-Martin Ingham & Donna GatelyIn our last episode, Martin Ingham (CEO of the Nottingham Arena and National Ice Centre), took us behind the scenes-he pointed out the best seats in the house, described how he was once booed off his own stage and shared some of the great success stories of the venue over its 25 year history.
This time, Martin describes the impact of Covid on the arena and on the entertainment/sports industry as a whole and gives an insight into how the sector is recovering in 2025.
Also, you'll hear from Donna Gately-she's General Manager and has worked...2025-05-1950 minNottingham Arena @ 25Episode 8A - bonus edition with Jake Bugg!!In this series, we've been telling the story of the Nottingham Arena and National Ice Centre from conception to build, with some of the pioneers involved in the project , as well as Olympic gold medallists Torvill & Dean.
In episode 8, we took you behind the scenes with CEO Martin Ingham who told you about the time he was booed off his own stage and just whereabouts in the arena are the best seats in the house?
This is a brand new, bonus episode featuring a Nottingham superstar.
Jake Bugg was born in Nottingham 6 years...2025-05-1415 minNottingham Arena @ 25Episode 8 - Martin InghamIn our last episode, we featured a conversation with former Nottingham Arena/NIC CEO Geoff Huckstep. Onto the latest edition and it's rather fitting that we feature the current CEO Martin Ingham. He joined the operation initially as finance director and became Chief Executive when Geoff retired in 2016.
In this podcast, Martin takes us behind the scenes of the arena and shares some of his proudest moments and gives a fascinating insight into running such a huge operation.
Also, listen out for a few stories of when things haven't quite gone to plan:
...2025-05-131h 13Nottingham Arena @ 25Episode 7 - Geoff HuckstepSo far in this series, we've been telling the story of the Nottingham Arena and National Ice Centre-from conception to planning, to building and everything in between.
This episode focuses on the human side of the operation - Geoff Huckstep joined the business in 2003 and here, he gives an honest account of his time as CEO.
From the struggles of the early days, to his feelings of joy when things are going well, Geoff shines a light on what it means to be a great leader and how to overcome obstacles. It's a fascinating insight...2025-05-0749 minNottingham Arena @ 25Episode 6-The Nottingham PanthersWhile telling the story of the Nottingham Arena and National Ice Centre over the last 25 years, we want to feature every part of the venue.
With that in mind, we'll be showcasing ice sports soon and taking you behind the scenes, as well as meeting some of the people behind the scenes.
In this episode, it's all about the Nottingham Panthers.
In the last few days, they've become 2025 Playoff Champions in a dramatic games that saw them win then lose, then win again!
You'll hear from fan favourite and ex player...2025-04-291h 03Nottingham Arena @ 25Episode 5 - Colin Dyson & Graham ChapmanThe story of the early days of the Nottingham Arena and National Ice Centre continues in this episode.
Colin Dyson may not be a familiar name to many people, but he had a key role in the planning and building of the venue-at the time, he spent 13 years doing this and has some really interesting insights into the process. He's also a huge Panthers fan and I'd like to personally thank Colin for helping to put me in contact with several other great guests for this series.
Secondly, you'll hear from Graham Chapman-at the time...2025-04-2231 minNottingham Arena @ 25Episode 4A-celebrating the Nottingham Panthers big win at the weekendWe want to feature every part of the venue to mark our 25th birthday and there'll be a full episode devoted to the Panthers very soon.
What a weekend for Panthers fans-they made it to the final....they won, then they lost...but in the end, they did win and became Playoff Champions 2025-congratulations to the whole team and what a fitting year to do it!
In this special bonus episode, we chat to someone who doesn't give many interviews-he joined the club many years ago as equipment manager. These days, he's Chief Operations Officer...2025-04-2209 minNottingham Arena @ 25Episode 4-Mich StevensonThank you for joining us to celebrate Nottingham Arena and the National Ice Centre's 25th birthday in 2025.
The story of the Arena's early days continues, this time with the man they call Mr Nottingham.
Mich Stevenson OBE is widely credited with helping to save Nottingham's Lace Market and has been involved in a whole host of other projects, including the National Justice Museum (formerly the Galleries of Justice).
In this episode, Mich shares stories about his time as chair of the arena/NIC-a post he held for 25 years. He shines a light on...2025-04-1521 minNottingham Arena @ 25Episode 3 - planning, building and payingFollowing on from our first 2 episodes to mark the venue's 25th birthday, the story of the Nottingham Arena's early days continues.
In episode 1, Torvill & Dean described their involvement in the project and how they lent their names to the original plans.
Episode 2 featured Ted Cantle (former CEO of Nottingham City Council)-many people credit him with having the idea of a new arena and National Ice Centre in the city.
In this latest edition, we move onto the planning and building stage-Ian Taylor was working for Laing at the time-they're the construction company...2025-04-0730 min
Nottingham Arena @ 25Episode 2 - Ted CantleThis is a brand new podcast specially created to celebrate the National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham's 25th birthday.
Over the coming weeks, you'll hear from some of the people who came up with the idea of building the venue, stars who've played on stage and on the ice, and some of the people behind the scenes who make everything run smoothly.
There are lots of exciting plans for our 25th anniverary - keep up to date via our socials and our website www.motorpointarenanottingham.com
If you've got a great story...2025-03-3021 minNottingham Arena @ 25Episode 1 - Torvill and DeanThis is a brand new podcast specially created to celebrate the National Ice Centre and Motorpoint Arena Nottingham's 25th birthday.
Over the coming weeks, you'll hear from some of the people who came up with the idea of building the venue, stars who've played on stage and on the ice, and some of the people behind the scenes who make everything run smoothly.
There are lots of exciting plans for our 25th anniverary - keep up to date via our socials and our website www.motorpointarenanottingham.com
If you've got a great story...2025-03-2822 min