Ticketing Stars 2026:
Marc Sheppard | Royal Albert Hall

The Royal Albert Hall's Head of Ticketing Services tells IQ about why he's spent 18 years at the venue, and what his proudest achievement has been at the Hall

By IQ | 1 September 2026

What’s the biggest challenge facing the ticketing business right now? We regularly host major artists, which means we’re in a constant battle against automated bots trying to buy tickets. It can sometimes feel like an arms race: every time we strengthen our defences, the bots evolve, and we have to adapt again.

The biggest challenge is the impact this has on customer trust. Most people understandably don’t see the extensive work that venues and agency ticketing teams do…

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TICKETING STARS 2026:

Luiza Levy

Ticketmaster Brazil

The operations director unpacks the evolution of ticketing and building a leadership career in a traditionally male-dominated industry

Zac Leigh

Tixel – Australia

The co-founder chats to IQ about the nuances of ticketing and why regulation doesn't work the same in practice as on paper

Iñaki Sánchez López

menta tech

The co-founder and CEO of menta tech tells IQ about why ticketing failures feel so personal, and what menta tech are doing to stand out in the market

Sarah Slater

Ticketmaster

Ticketmaster's Managing Director tells us why leading an exceptional team through growth and change was the greatest challenge, and the greatest reward, of her career

Sandrine Weberruss

AXS France

The senior account manager talks to IQ about what has changed in her 17 years in the ticketing sector, and why she's proud of AXS France

David Franklin

Paléo Festival Nyon

Paléo Festival's Head of Communication, Sales & Ticketing is passionate about creating a ticketing system that ensures tickets get in the hands of true fans

Sana Ali Aamir

Fever & Secret Media Network

Fever's General Manager tells IQ about why partnering with DICE was a career highlight, and about where her career courage and ambition come from

Laura Boylan

Co-op Live

Co-op Live's Senior Ticketing Manager tells IQ about what she's learned as she's risen up the ranks in the ticketing sector, and why she always makes a point to visit the arena on an event day

Juhana Stenbäck

Lippupiste

The CEO of Finland's Lippupiste shares his career highlight so far, as well as his opinion on what the biggest challenges facing the market currently are

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