Katie Ray, the MD of Raybourne Tours Ltd (previusly Tam Ray Touring), has many years experience as a senior project coordinator, immigration consultant & Visa specialist to the music & creative industries. In 1997 Katie joined Traffic Control Group, International Visa & Work Permit specialists, and is now in a unique position to understand the needs of the music touring world.
She has also supported industry bodies in lobbying for changes in immigration practices for the benefit of the touring musicians, and provided support to the UK government on international touring issues. Katie has also been involved in governmental consultation processes for continuing ease of access for artists to the UK to ensure cross-cultural collaboration continues to be an important part of the UK music industry.
In 2011 she hosted a panel at SXSW to assist managers and tour managers to learn about touring issues, assisted by John Witherspoon (manager Tori Amos), Tony Moore (director of Music Art and Development The Bedford/Artist manager/Singer Songwriter) and Matthew Covey (Tamizdat Artist Services NY)
Nominated for Unsung Hero Award, at the Live Music Business Awards in 2012, as part of the TCG London Ltd management team.
Testimonials
Director of Music Art and Development at The Bedford
Since first meeting Katie and working with her on a complex and highly detailed visa application. I have found her to be meticulous, focused and relentless in all she does.
She is always on hand (often at times of the day and night when everyone else has stopped working) to offer advice, solve problems or make sure that the job gets done IN TIME and on budget.
She has one of the most professional and committed work ethics I have had the pleasure to work with, and on the numerous times I have used her services she has always delivered all that she promised and often much more that she hasn’t!
With a great personality and the ability to think “outside the box” I have no hesitation in recommending Katie and Tam Ray Touring to anyone who needs to benefit from her unique and specialised experience.
In a world where many talk the talk, she always and without fail, walks the walk as well.
Tony Moore
Owner at No Half Measures
Katie is a true expert in the business of obtaining visas / work permits etc. – often at short notice and when the pressure is really on! She’s extremely knowledgeable in this area and I have no hesitation in recommending her.
MD at VALUE ADDED TALENT
Katie is a rare combination of true expertise on all matters to do with immigration with a charm that allows the impossible to happen overnight. I have lost count of the times when I have given her some awful problem getting a client a new passport when lost, or gaining entry at a border. She does what it takes to deliver with style and good grace in the face of regulations and procedures and consistently delivers this in the face of awesome difficulty and very tight time lines.
I could not recommend her expertise or services more highly