About Tourbook
A new kind of digital sector support service
Our mission is to unlock the transformative power of digital tools to support a thriving and sustainable touring arts ecology that connects people and places with live cultural experiences.
We do this by – maintaining and developing the Tourbook platform to meet sector needs; supporting and growing the Tourbook community and operating an efficient, sustainable and socially-conscious digital business.
We think all this matters because live cultural events matter – to individuals and to our communities – and touring is central in making this happen.
We also understand that there are some big challenges, barriers and gaps in access to cultural experiences. We believe that socially-driven digital infrastructure can make a meaningful contribution to improving the resilience, diversity and sustainability of the cultural sector.
Join the Tourbook community today and help to make touring work better for everyone.
Our Values
Experiencing More
We understand that live cultural experiences are an elemental and irreplaceable part of who we are as humans and how we live together – now, in the past and in the future.
Working Smarter
We’re passionate about the business of getting things done – well. A thriving creative arts sector is one that is powered by tooling up, getting organised and embracing practical know how.
Welcoming Generously
We believe the touring marketplace should actively encourage new entrants – as artists and programmers and that accessibility, transparency and openness are key to making this happen.
Hosting Responsibly
We recognise the privileges and responsibilities of being a digital host and we seek to meet high standards of professional discretion, sensitivity and impartiality.
Operating Ethically
We strive to operate as an ethical business and work to clear frameworks for what this means in all areas of our service provision and operations.
The story so far..
2009 – 2013
Hatched in the Highlands
The idea for Tourbook emerges as a way to widen access and make more transparent the touring opportunities available in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland. The first version of the platform is commissioned by The Touring Network (TTN) for use by their member promoters.
2014 – 2015
Planning for Growth
In response to wider interest from the sector in Scotland, TTN establishes an ‘in-house’ Innovation Lab and seeks to raise funds to develop a Scotland-wide version. The Lab undertakes various R&D projects including the pilot Greener Routes sustainable tour planning prototype.
2016
Becoming a Social Enterprise
Tourbook is spun out from TTN as a standalone Community Interest Company to take forward the future development and resourcing of Tourbook.
2017
Expanding Locations
The Scotland-wide ‘Version 2’ of the platform is launched. This is quickly followed by support for Ireland and Northern Ireland thanks to the sponsorship of sector partners and funders from both.
2019 – 2021
Disruptions & Reboot
In 2020 paid subscriptions are paused in response to the impact of COVID on the touring arts sector. Planned R&D work with partners in England is also disrupted but future development plans continue – albeit at a slower pace…
2022 – 2024
Refactoring & Improvements
A major release of ‘Version 3’ is launched in 2023, bringing support for England and Wales along with a range of improvements. The first phase of work on Tourbook Tools – which will finally bring to the platform some features prototyped nearly 10 years earlier – gets underway.
2025 –
Building for the Future
Tourbook CIC secures Multi Year Funding from Creative Scotland enabling our resourcing levels across development and user support to increase, with several major platform updates and improvements to come…
Team
Tourbook is managed and developed by a small team of associates with expertise across arts, design and tech.
Adrian Lear
Strategy & Operations
Responsible for operational and business delivery, company oversight and ensuring that aims and objectives are able to be delivered in line with available resources.
Jane Wilde
Product & Technical
Responsible for delivering a high-quality digital product which meets the standards set by the team and the expectations of a growing user base.
Sam Eccles
Growth & Partnerships
Responsible for exploring opportunities to widen the reach, impact and benefit of the Tourbook platform across the UK and Ireland
Learning & Engagement
(Coming later in 2025)
Responsible for connecting with, representing and supporting our community of users – and future users.
Tourbook CIC is governed by a board of directors consisting of non-executive and executive shareholding representatives and non-executive independents including the board Chair.
Directors: Sam Eccles, Adrian Lear, Gwilym Gibbons (Chair), Claire Mackay, Jane Wilde
Partners & Funders
Tourbook gratefully acknowledges support for the development of the Tourbook platform and company from the following, without whom it would not have been possible.
Key Partners
The Touring Network (Highlands & Islands)
think.in.form Ltd
Current Funders
Creative Scotland
Past Funders
Scottish Arts Council and the AmbITion Scotland Programme
Foundation Scotland
Theatre Forum (Ireland) & Theatre and Dance NI (Northern Ireland) with funds from Arts Council Ireland
Arts Council England
Scottish Enterprise
with thanks to all past Tourbook Individual and Network subscribers.
Company Information
Tourbook was established in 2016 as Community Interest Company limited by shares. The company was created as a non-profit partnership between The Touring Network (Highlands & Islands) Ltd* and think.in.form Ltd** – both of whom remain as company shareholders. Our CIC constitution outlines our specific aims to develop digital tools and services that support arts and culture. All assets, including IP, generated and maintained by Tourbook are held in an asset lock, as outlined in our CIC constitution.
In line with our values, our company strategy and operations are guided by policies and related action plans that aim to meet high standards of business ethics. We monitor our performance and seek ongoing improvement in areas of Security, Privacy & Data; Ethics & Environment; Inclusion, Diversity, Equalities & Access (IDEA) and Fair Work. For any further details on our standards and commitments in these areas please contact us.
Company Number: SC531007
Registered Address: Strongarbh House, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Argyll, Scotland, PA75 6AG
*think.in.form is a design and consultancy studio based in the Highlands & Islands
**The Touring Network (Highlands & Islands) is a membership, support and development organisation for promoters, venues and performers across the Highlands & Islands of Scotland.
Looking for more information?
Interested in finding out more about Tourbook and the work we do?