Jen Roberts was born and raised on the Wirral near Liverpool, a city described by Carl Jung as ‘the pool of life.’ No surprise then that after completing a History degree at university she made the journey down to London with some poetry books, a keyboard and a guitar, eager to experience the juicy cosmopolitan fruits that the Big Smoke had to offer. To pay the bills she began a brief managerial dalliance with the wine industry which she later abandoned due to the accompanying lifestyle of frequent intoxication and excessive exposure to Nietzsche.

She then set about creating one of the most exciting and eclectic events of live literature, new music and comedy in the capital. The night, known as Behind the Mic, has been described by the Daily Telegraph as “always surprising and entertaining… (reminding) us how much great talent there is out there waiting to be discovered.” B.T.M. has become a sought-after showcase for both signed and up and coming artists, from those currently creating a buzz in the press such as Hip Hop wordsmith Scroobius Pip, to the punk-folk shenanigans of Natalie Imbruglia’s sister Laura.

Whilst developing BTM Jen continued to freelance for some of the most renowned management companies, promoters, and publications in the arts. She worked closely with the directors of numerous music festivals and behind the scenes of Apples and Snakes, England’s leading organisation for performance poetry. She thrives on sharing her passion for web 2.0, new technology and bold new ideas and this led to her being awarded a professional development and research grant by the Arts Council in 2007. In early 2008 Jen set up Jen Roberts Artist Management & Promotions and includes Roxy Rawson, Anna Nightingale, Ana Silvera, Sophia Blackwell and Shazia Mirza amongst her clients.

Although best known for her passion and commitment on the organisational side of the fence, Jen sometimes steps in to compere her showcases with her own version of attempted panache and bumbling humility. She is also a talented singer-songwriter in her own right (with supporters ranging from her loyal, Irish flat-mate to globe-trotting songstress Joan As Police Woman), although of late her appearances have been exclusively of the living-room and garden-party variety. A lesser known fact about Jen is that she once played International Rugby. In miscellaneous terms, she likes luxurious velvet clothing, The Bolshoi Ballet and pumpkin ravioli. She dislikes four-by-fours in city centres and over-packaged avocados.

Testimonial

Jen Roberts has worked for me as my personal publicist for three years.  She has done an excellent job of publicising all my work which has included several TV shows, my live tours, and writing work. She has also gained me writing work in several magazines including Grazia, The Radio Times, The Guardian, Cosmopolitan and other magazines both here and abroad.  She has also arranged, gigs and tour dates for my live stand up shows and taken care of my travel arrangements.  She is efficient, trustworthy, very reliable and friendly and a pleasure to work with. I will definitely continue to use her in future and would definitely recommend her to others.

Shazia Mirza