Ticketing legend Will Quekett has passed away following a short illness.
Quekett worked across theatre, arts, culture and ticketing, holding positions in both the UK and Australia over three decades. He spent more than 11 years working for the Festival of Perth, before taking on the role of programming director at Perth Theatre Trust.
His varied career also saw him go on to work as a ticketing consultant for Sydney Theatre Company, a business development consultant for TopTix, and as managing director of Ticketing Technology Systems which he set up to operate across the UK and Ireland.
Back in the UK, Quekett held the role of general manager at The Ticket Factory before becoming a director. In the latter stages of his career, he worked as a consultant across a number of ticketing sector businesses.
Additionally, Quekett was a council member for 15 years with the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers (STAR), which is the self-regulatory body for the entertainment industry in the UK. His legacy there includes the Ticketing Apprenticeship scheme – the first and only training programme of its kind in the world.
“Our paths first crossed back in 1988 at the Festival of Perth,” recalls Ian Nuttall, co-founder, TheTicketingBusiness. “My godfather David Blenkinsop – the nascent festival’s first director – had emigrated to ‘bring culture to Western Australia’ and Will was Australia’s go-to for all things ticketing and festivals. He’d graduated from the University of WA – the home of the Festival – back in the 70s, and was president of the uni’s Dramatic Society so this new festival vision in the Southern Hemisphere aligned perfectly with his passions and experience.
“Later he was so supportive with ideas and contacts when I launched theatre design magazine Auditoria in 2000 and developed our first leadership meetings for live entertainment. He was a wonderful chap with always a marvellous story to share.”
David Thomas, Arts & Culture Network, wrote on social media: “Will’s wonderfully dry humour, phenomenal intelligence and incurable curiosity were always shot through with the genuine warmth of his personality, and we should all feel honoured to have had Will in our lives.”
“It is with deep sadness that greeted the sudden passing of Will Quekett, a cherished friend, colleague, and a true legend in the ticketing industry,” shares Ken Paul, Head of Sales at Vivaticket. “I first met Will in the late 1990s at Enta User Groups where he ran the ticketing for the Millenium Dome, where his passion for ticketing and his warm, engaging personality made an immediate impression. Over the years, our friendship grew, and we collaborated on countless projects, sharing both professional insights and plenty of laughter along the way.
“One of the highlights of our work together was during my time at Nimax Theatres while Will was running The Ticket Factory call centre. His expertise, dedication, and innovative approach were instrumental in shaping successful projects, and his leadership left a lasting impact on everyone who worked with him.”
He adds: “Will’s recent move to the south coast in Bognor was an exciting new chapter, and as a near neighbour, we were looking forward to reconnecting soon. His sudden passing has left a void across the entire ticketing community, where he was respected and admired for his knowledge, generosity, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
“I am very sad to hear this news, Will was always very nice to me, I liked him … I will remember him with much fondness,” commented Kelly Sharman, group sales manager at AXS.
Paying tribute to Quekett, Daniel Gidney, chief executive of Lancashire Cricket, said: “Will was a ticketing Lifer. He was passionate about his craft and dedicated his career to the profession. Working closely with him when he was with The Ticket Factory, and also chatting around our shared experience of both being former directors of STAR, Will was undoubtedly an industry legend and will be missed. Described to me recently as a gentle soul, I couldn’t agree more. A ticketing aficionado yes, but above all a lovely man. Sleep well, my friend.”
IQ Magazine has published further tributes and anecdotes to Will here.