Matt Hood Joins Talent Systems® as Spotlight’s Managing Director

Talent Systems, the leading technology solution provider for casting and auditioning to the entertainment industry worldwide, has hired Matt Hood as Managing Director of Spotlight, the United Kingdom’s premier casting platform. The announcement was made today by Talent Systems COO Chris Holbert.

“We are extremely pleased with the addition of Matt to our team,” said Holbert. “We believe that his long-running experience in the industry and demonstrated leadership in the space will strengthen the team, bolster the strong market position of Spotlight in the UK, and position us well for continued growth in the region.”

Hood will be responsible for running the Spotlight business in the UK and Europe, leading the Spotlight leadership team, and partnering with the Talent Systems leadership team to continue growing Spotlight’s market-leading service globally. He will succeed outgoing CEO Richard Wilson who was with Spotlight for more than seven years. 

Hood joins Talent Systems from Equity, the UK trade union for professional performers and creative practitioners, where he has spent the past 17 years working across areas including membership relations, membership support, and communications. Hood most recently served as Equity’s Deputy General Secretary, overseeing membership, operations, and administration under General Secretary Paul W. Fleming. 

“Everyone at Equity wishes Matt all the best in his new role after 17 years of service to our union,” said Fleming. “When Equity was founded in 1930, members’ subscriptions were paid care of Spotlight, and ever since we have enjoyed a strong – but robust – working relationship. I have no doubt that Matt will support the continuation of that tradition as we strive for an entertainment industry in which its workforce can flourish.”

Hood added, “I am delighted to be joining Spotlight and Talent Systems. The entertainment industry is a global workplace and Talent Systems’ worldwide reach and impact bring exciting opportunities for Spotlight and our world-class performers. I am looking forward to working with the Talent Systems teams around the world as Spotlight strengthens and grows out of the extraordinary events of the past year.”

“We couldn’t be happier with the addition of Matt to the helm of Spotlight,” said Talent Systems co-CEOs Rafi Gordon and Alex Amin. “His years of global advocacy on behalf of UK performers, deep entertainment industry relationships, and commercial instincts will be a massive asset as he helps lead Spotlight and Talent Systems through our next phase of growth.”