Draft:Billy Wood (Entertainment)

Billy Wood
Born	27 March 1986 (Age 34)
Nationality	English
Occupation	Music Agent, Football Executive and Entrepreneur
Associated Clubs	Eastbourne United Association F.C. Hastings United F.C.
Website	http://www.twitter.com/BillyWood__

Billy Wood (born 27 March 1986) is an English football chairman, entrepreneur and former music agent. Born in Croydon, Wood moved to Hastings in 1995 at the age of 9. Wood went on to study at Canterbury Christ Church University gaining 2:1 honours in BSc Business Studies with Marketing

Music agent

After leaving University, Wood went straight into the music industry representing music artists in the live touring business. Wood's understanding for Grime (music genre) and Urban contemporary led to signing acts most notably N-Dubz , becoming their agent in 2007 whilst finishing up his University degree. After losing N-Dubz to another agency in late 2008 due to Wood's inexperience he joined prominent nightclub booking agency Mission Control Artist Agency in 2009 teaming up with music manager Albert Samuel. Wood went on to sign for the agency a host of names including Tinie Tempah who's hit single Pass Out (song) went Number 1 in the UK Singles Chart propelling Wood's reputation and earning him a move to William Morris Endeavor in May 2010.

William Morris Endeavour (2010-16)

After early success Wood signed with WME in 2010 becoming a Music Agent at the largest talent agency in the world at just 24. Wood went on to sign a host of names including Wiley (musician) Dappy Tinchy Stryder Alexis Jordan Lethal Bizzle Mindless Behavior and Chip (rapper) continuing the trend of hit singles and successful tours.

In this period Wood's artists scooped many MOBO Awards and in 2011 Tinie Tempah won two Brit Awards putting Wood's name on the map with a shout in his acceptance speech, it was untypical for agents to get recognition from artists at that stage.

Using the strength of the agency Wood entered into other areas of representation, signing Adam Deacon in 2011 and helping his campaign, leading to winning the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2012 again receiving recognition from the actor as he accepted the award on stage.

After UK Radio started to slow down on playing 'UK Urban' artists, Wood had to continue to adapt and signed pop artists Alexa Goddard , who signed with Roc Nation and formulated the live strategy for the return of platinum selling UK group Blue (English group)

With the wind turning on Grime (music genre) and the underground emergence of Drill music Wood signed Section Boyz and strategised a live plan that led to them playing 35 European festivals in 2016.

Wood also was named in the Music Week 30 under 30 list in 2016 just before his 30th birthday

United Talent Agency (2017-18)

Wood joined United Talent Agency in 2017 and joined their London office

Wood worked on numerous acts at UTA including Akon Run-DMC Angel Haze Pia Mia Faith Evans and Dappy.

In 2018 it was mutually agreed that Wood would not renew his contract with the agency making him a free agent.

Creative Artist Agency (2018-20)

Wood, already expressing further interest into sport, especially football was set to close the door on his music but agreed to move to Creative Artists Agency in November 2018.

Roster and teams included Run-DMC, Snoop Dogg, ZieZie, Geko, Karen Harding, Nero (band) Donae'o and Ycee. Wood also entered the podcast representation area bringing in some major clients to CAA including Three Shots of Tequilla [1], Open Goal and youtube sensations SE Dons.

Wood left CAA in Summer 2020 to pursue a career in the football industry.

Football

Eastbourne United Association Football Club (2018-19)

In 2018, Wood showed an interest to buy Eastbourne United Association F.C. , whilst the bid was rejected the committee asked Wood to become Chairman, which was duly accepted.

Wood took over the club and immediately made changes to the committee roles and then with Eastbourne United bottom of the Southern Combination Football League Premier 14 points adrift decided to make a managerial change, with Ryan Cooper departing and Arron Hopkinson taking the job. Wood went public that he believed the team would survive relegation even though the club at this point had yet to win a league game and only had 1 point in the league. Following a rigorous recruitment process Eastbourne United defied odds and survived from relegation on the last day of the season, with a dramatic winner in the 85th minute leading to the local press hailing the 2018/19 season as the 'Greatest Escape of all time'

In the summer of 2019, Wood backed Hopkinson in recruitment and opened up the ground for an access all areas documentary with Charlton Athletic F.C. playing the club in a friendly before the start of the new season.

The summer led to a reinvention of the ground with new signage, a refurbished dressing room area and seats in a new stand.

In September 2019, Wood departed the club to accept an offer at his hometown club Hastings United F.C.

Hastings United Football Club (2019-Present)

Wood in September 2019 joined Hastings United Football Club as the Chief Executive Officer a move which led to the resignation of Chairman David Nessling, Secretary Tony Cosens and David Ormerod with Ormerod returning in 2020 as President.

Hastings United have gone on to be successful both on and off the pitch. On the pitch the team have lost just two Isthmian League games in two seasons, only being held back by the null and void decision. Off the pitch the club have rebranded with success, going from crowds of 300 to topping 1,200 before the pandemic and leading the club to increase season ticket sale s

Wood has overseen the rebranding, partnering with Nike on the new Hastings United range and securing a high five figure naming rights deal on The Pilot Field with TGS Security, the first in the grounds 100 year history.

In 2021 it was announced 17 year old Benn Ward had agreed a move to Burnley F.C. , a move it is believed to have been agreed with Wood. A move that continues to highlight the growth of the football club and the quality of players being produced.

It is believed Wood has agreed a transfer to EFL League Two for player Davide Rodari, this is yet to be confirmed.

Friday 22nd January, Wood agreed an extension to Chris Agutter's contract as Manager. Agutter, who has been the most successful manager for Hastings United in the last decade on the pitch was set to leave before Wood's arrival with an alleged rift with former Chairman.