John Lickrish

Select Edit; CEO (Canada)

Summit Session: Investment in Music. What are the opportunities?

John Lickrish is the CEO of Select Edit, where he leads strategic collaborations with international rights holders to create and deliver impactful events across the Middle East. From 2008 to 2023, Lickrish served as CEO of Flash Entertainment, the Middle East’s leading live events company. Under his leadership, Flash produced over 400 major events, generated $1.5 Billion USD in revenue, and brought global superstars like Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Eminem to the region. He also oversaw the development of iconic venues, including Etihad Arena, Etihad Park, and Flash Forum.

Lickrish was instrumental in organizing landmark events such as the FIFA Club World Cup, Expo 2020 Dubai, the Pope’s visit to the UAE, and the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. He also led Flash’s acquisition of a 10% stake in UFC and established Ticketmaster MENA, revolutionizing ticketing across the region.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Lickrish is committed to philanthropy, supporting causes like the Terry Fox Run, Autism Emirates, and the American Community School. He holds a degree from Western University and executive education from Harvard Business School.