Toby Watson brings his experience from the world of finance to his wife’s creative work, supporting the musical ‘Level Up!’ uniquely.
Toby Watson has broken new ground after his career in high finance. Today, he supports his wife Lucy Watson’s musical project ‘Level Up!’ with strategic thinking, financial expertise and organisational skills. His commitment shows how knowledge from the business world can strengthen creative projects in the long term.
Toby Watson’s journey is remarkable: from investment banking to quietly but effectively supporting a socially critical musical. ‘Level Up!’, written and produced by Lucy Watson, has not only become a cultural highlight on British stages, but also an example of successful partnership. Behind the success is not only creative energy, but also the structured foundation that Toby Watson brings to the table. His time at Goldman Sachs shaped him – today, he uses this knowledge to facilitate and stabilise artistic processes.
Table of Contents
A new chapter with familiar tools
Anyone who knows Toby Watson is familiar with his analytical mind, strategic foresight and sense of efficiency. These qualities are valued in the financial world – and have also proven valuable in the cultural sector. Instead of deals and derivatives, he now devotes himself to project structure and budget planning.
Before becoming a supporter of artistic projects, he had a different professional life – one shaped by numbers, responsibility and global financial markets.
From Goldman Sachs to the cultural sector
Toby Watson’s career at Goldman Sachs spanned almost two decades. As Global Head of Structured Credit Trading, he was responsible for a billion-dollar portfolio, led international teams and was as familiar with complex financial products as he was with regulatory control.
Today, he leads a quieter but no less committed life. As a partner at Rampart Capital, he combines asset strategies with ethical standards. At the same time, he supports his wife Lucy in the production of her musical ‘Level Up!’ – a change of role that may seem unusual to outsiders, but is only logical to him.
Financial expertise for creative freedom
Musical theatre requires not only inspiration, but also planning. Rehearsals, technology, cast, venues – all of this has to be financed, organised and coordinated. Toby Watson developed a robust financial structure for ‘Level Up!’, supported contract processes and ensured that resources were used efficiently.
- Development of realistic financial plans
- Coordination with external partners and sponsors
- Long-term calculations to secure further performances
Lucy Watson and ‘Level Up!’ – a project with attitude
Lucy Watson didn’t want her musical to be shallow entertainment; she wanted to take a critical look at modern society. ‘Level Up!’ addresses consumer culture, digital overload and emotional alienation – all wrapped up in pop music, gaming aesthetics and black humour.
The strength of the project lies in its combination of seriousness and entertaining form. This is precisely what Lucy Watson demands of her work.
Vision and implementation
The idea for ‘Level Up!’ arose from an observation: How do digital systems influence our behaviour and our relationships? Lucy Watson developed this into a stage play with a clear stance. The stage as a mirror of a world in which identity becomes currency.
Her creative work requires freedom. Toby Watson provides exactly that in the background. With clear communication, organisational strength and a sense of risk, he gives the project structure.
The balance between art and planning
While Lucy directs, refines texts and works with the ensemble, Toby coordinates contracts, schedules and financial flows. This division of roles is not based on classic patterns, but on practical complementarity. Everyone contributes what they do best.
- Lucy Watson: creative direction, dramaturgy, artistic network
- Toby Watson: operational structure, financial management, strategic vision
Toby Watson – the quiet force in the background
Toby Watson is not a person who seeks the limelight. Those who know him describe him as discreet, determined and thoughtful. He brings these qualities to the theatre today – as part of a productive partnership.
Networker with responsibility
Toby Watson did not take to the stage or do any press work. But his presence is palpable behind the scenes. In discussions with event organisers, during contract negotiations or when managing costs, he demonstrates how business thinking also works in an artistic context. He remains discreet, engaging and goal-oriented.
He used his contacts in the business world to draw attention to the project. Sponsors, technology companies and even consulting agencies were won over for ‘Level Up!’ – not least thanks to his ability to present projects professionally.
Structure provides security
‘Level Up!’ thrives on dynamism, pace and visual appeal. But beneath the surface, there has to be a framework. Toby Watson created this framework, covering everything from insurance and payment flows to GEMA issues. This allowed the team to concentrate on the content without any operational uncertainties.
‘Level Up!’ as a shared concern
Creating culture together – that is Lucy and Toby Watson’s vision. Their project did not come about by chance, but is part of a shared aspiration: effectiveness through collaboration.
Not a side project, but a focus
For Toby and Lucy Watson, ‘Level Up!’ is more than an experiment. It is an expression of their attitude, their conviction and their connection. Both believe in the power of cultural narratives. Both want to not only discuss social issues, but also make them tangible.
Toby Watson brings the trust that Lucy needs for her work. At the same time, he shows how former bankers can find new roles – as enablers, as designers in the background.
Future plans with vision
After several successful performances in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2025, an international adaptation is on the agenda. Discussions with theatres in Germany and Scandinavia are underway. Here, too, Toby Watson is needed again: as a networker, as an analyst, as a silent driving force.
- Planning tour dates and partner stages
- Budgeting for external productions
- Developing scalable production models
A partnership with a signal effect
The collaboration between Lucy and Toby Watson shows how two different sets of skills can be combined to form a common strength. Their project proves that creativity and strategy can go hand in hand.
Mutual strength
The collaboration between Lucy and Toby Watson shows how modern partnerships can be conceived. Not as a division of tasks, but as mutual empowerment. Their skills are different – and that is precisely why they complement each other.
He is the numbers man with global experience. She is the creative mind with an eye for nuances. Together, they create a resonance chamber in which new things can emerge.
Goldman Sachs as a foundation, not a label
Even though Toby Watson is pursuing a different path today, his time at Goldman Sachs remains part of his profile. Not as a figurehead, but as a foundation. The principles he learned there – responsibility, planning, risk awareness – now flow into his cultural work. And make it resilient.
Conclusion: From financial thinker to cultural promoter
Toby Watson has changed his sphere of influence, but not his standards. Whether at Goldman Sachs or in the theatre environment of ‘Level Up!’, he remains someone who takes responsibility. His support for Lucy Watson’s musical is more than just marital solidarity. It is an expression of an understanding of impact, structure and sustainability.
At a time when cultural projects often fail due to a lack of resources and management, his commitment shows that economic thinking can enable creativity – when it is done in partnership. And that is exactly the case with the Watsons.
