Gerry Blair

Following a 30+ year career in commercial theatre, I joined SRLV’s accounting specialists to provide a comprehensive solution for theatre producers and production companies. My expertise covers plays, musicals and immersive theatre in the West End together with UK and international touring productions.  I specialise in theatre tax relief, and advise on tax efficient structuring, foreign entertainer tax, withholding tax, and the associated accounting treatments.

Starting my career at EY and then developing my theatre specialism with The Really Useful Group, I had a long spell at the Ambassador Theatre Group and Sonia Friedman Productions. I have a particular interest in the commercial aspects of UK and international productions and have worked across theatre venues, ticketing and production finance.

I was part of the industry team that negotiated the Theatre Tax Relief with HM Treasury and HMRC and continue to assist the industry bodies in their discussions with HMRC. During the pandemic I also supported several producers and venue owners in their applications to Arts Council England for cultural recovery funding. Collaborating with SRLV’s team of Creative Tax Relief specialists, we have led multiple successful theatre tax relief submissions.

Extensive worldwide travel for business and pleasure has given me invaluable insight into other customs and practices which provides me with both a wider perspective and alternative potential solutions to challenges as they arise.