Who we are

Tony Wadsworth was Chairman and CEO of EMI Music UK & Ireland from 1998 to 2008. In a 26 year career with the UK based company, he held many roles including Managing Director of the Parlophone label, a label which he relaunched in the 1990's achieving sustained hits with artists such as Blur, Radiohead, Crowded House, Pet Shop Boys, Tina Turner and Queen.

His subsequent move to running all of EMI's UK labels saw a period of global success with artists such as Robbie Williams, Coldplay, Kylie Minogue,the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. Having overseen the combination of the Virgin label with the UK company, recent worldwide chart profile and multi million sales have been achieved with brand new signings such as Lily Allen, KT Tunstall and Corinne Bailey Rae.

Prior to joining EMI, Tony gained a degree in Economics from Newcastle and spent the following 3 years playing in a band with his college friends. He later worked for various record labels before joining EMI.

He is currently Chairman of the BPI and Chairman of Brit Awards Ltd and on the board of the Brit Trust charity. He is a trustee of the Music Sound Foundation, a charity devoted to improving young peoples' access to music education, and a trustee of the EMI Archive Trust.

Tony holds the post of Visiting Professor in the music and business schools of the University of Newcastle-on-Tyne. In March 2008 , he was awarded the prestigious `Music Week' Strat award for outstanding contribution to the UK music industry and in 2009 was awarded the Scott Piering Award by the Radio Academy to recognise outstanding contribution to music radio .

Tony lives in London with his wife and 2 children.

Melvin Benn had a ten year background of producing political and campaigning festivals throughout the UK before establishing The Festival Office Ltd in 1989 to create and produce festivals for the Mean Fiddler.

This was the same year that the Mean Fiddler took over the Reading Festival, which has sold out ever since. In 1999, Benn took the event to Leeds. In 1996 Benn took ‘The Festival Office’ to be part of the Mean Fiddler Music Group and became Managing Director. In 1999 he became Group CEO taking Mean Fiddler and its associated companies into a plc structure. This made Mean Fiddler the first publicly quoted music company on to the UK Stock Exchange.

Benn is also the licensee for all Finsbury Park outdoor shows and sits as a representative on the Concert Promoters Association (CPA). He was influential in re-writing the Guide to Health and Safety at Outdoor Events (‘the Pop Code’), and regularly makes presentations to the Emergency Planning College, the police and other bodies.

In August 2007 Benn sold the majority of the Mean Fiddler Music Group venues as well as the Mean Fiddler Music Group name to concentrate on the full festival portfolio ; Carling Weekend Reading & Leeds, Latitude, Rise, St Patrick’s Day, Fleadh and the involvement with Glastonbury Festival under the new name of Festival Republic.

Ben Challis is a UK lawyer specialising in music and entertainment law. A graduate in law from Kings College London and the City University, Ben also holds the degree of Master of Arts in Mass Communications from the University of Leicester and is is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Ben acts as General Counsel for 3A Entertainments, one of the UK’s leading concert promoters, and is Executive Producer for television of the Glastonbury Festival. Glastonbury is the UK’s leading music and arts festival attended by over 177,000 people. For Glastonbury, Ben combines the role of managing the Festival’s broadcast and other media rights alongside acting as General Counsel for the Festival. Ben’s other clients have included the Prince’s Trust, the Granada Media Group, Pioneer LDCE and British Telecom.

Ben regularly writes articles and other material on music business and intellectual property law, contributes to books, teaches law and is a regular conference speaker in particular on the live music industry. Ben sits as a magistrate in Cumbria, England. Ben is also co-founder of A Greener Festival which was set up in 2006 to champion sustainable events and promote environmentally friendly practices at music and arts festivals.

A Greener festival promotes an annual awards scheme (The Greener Festival Awards) for green festivals in association with the UK Festival Awards and they also endorse a discount insurance scheme for green events provided by Robertson Taylor insurance brokers. AGF also have ongoing training and research activities.

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Ben Challis is a UK lawyer specialising in music and entertainment law. A graduate in law from Kings College London and the City University, Ben also holds the degree of Master of Arts in Mass Communications from the University of Leicester and is is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Ben acts as General Counsel for 3A Entertainments, one of the UK’s leading concert promoters, and is Executive Producer for television of the Glastonbury Festival. Glastonbury is the UK’s leading music and arts festival attended by over 177,000 people. For Glastonbury, Ben combines the role of managing the Festival’s broadcast and other media rights alongside acting as General Counsel for the Festival. Ben’s other clients have included the Prince’s Trust, the Granada Media Group, Pioneer LDCE and British Telecom.

Ben regularly writes articles and other material on music business and intellectual property law, contributes to books, teaches law and is a regular conference speaker in particular on the live music industry. Ben sits as a magistrate in Cumbria, England. Ben is also co-founder of A Greener Festival which was set up in 2006 to champion sustainable events and promote environmentally friendly practices at music and arts festivals.

A Greener festival promotes an annual awards scheme (The Greener Festival Awards) for green festivals in association with the UK Festival Awards and they also endorse a discount insurance scheme for green events provided by Robertson Taylor insurance brokers. AGF also have ongoing training and research activities.

Ayesha Hazakira was a founding member of the Julie’s Bicycle Board while Vice President of Government and Industry Affairs at EMI. In August 2007 she was appointed Special Advisor to The Rt Hon Harriet Harmen QC MP, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

Ayesha first joined EMI in 2005 as business co-ordinator in the Group Chairman’s office working for Eric Nicoli and was seconded to the Labour Party in April of that year to work on the then Prime Minister Tony Blair’s campaign during the general election.

Prior to joining EMI, she spent seven years in Westminster including four years as chief press secretary to Patricia Hewitt, then UK Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. Ayesha has also worked in other Government departments including Downing Street, the Home Office and the Ministry of Agriculture. Ayesha studied law at university and completed a postgraduate diploma in journalism and politics.

Ayesha is a stand up comedienne in her spare time.

Neil Johnston has worked in creative industries in the UK, US and Europe all his life. Now Chief Executive of Paddington Development Trust he works in creative regeneration in some of the poorest neighbourhoods in London.

He is also Director of London Westside, an agency supporting new business and is involved in a number of other charitable and business initiatives in the UK. He operates an organic smallholding from his home in Northamptonshire and grows thirteen varieties of English apple, as well as plums, pears, quince and French walnuts.

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Neil Johnston has worked in creative industries in the UK, US and Europe all his life. Now Chief Executive of Paddington Development Trust he works in creative regeneration in some of the poorest neighbourhoods in London.

He is also Director of London Westside, an agency supporting new business and is involved in a number of other charitable and business initiatives in the UK. He operates an organic smallholding from his home in Northamptonshire and grows thirteen varieties of English apple, as well as plums, pears, quince and French walnuts.

David Joseph recalls that given the amount of time his father, an artist manager who handled acts like Billy Ocean, spent away from home, he decided “the music industry was not the life I was going to choose for myself”. But try as he might, including successful stints in advertising and games company Sega, Joseph was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. He started out as RCA’s chief of press relations. David joined Universal Music in August 1998 as general manager of Polydor UK before moving up in February 2002 to become managing director and later co-President of Polydor alongside Colin Barlow. In April 2006, Joseph was promoted to President, Universal Music Operations, overseeing Universal Classics & Jazz, UMTV and the launch of TV production division Globe alongside his Polydor responsibilities. In March 2008 he was appointed to the role of Chairman and CEO, Universal Music UK, overseeing all divisions of the UK’s leading record company. David became a member of the BPI Council in 2005 following two years on the Brits Committee.

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David Joseph recalls that given the amount of time his father, an artist manager who handled acts like Billy Ocean, spent away from home, he decided “the music industry was not the life I was going to choose for myself”. But try as he might, including successful stints in advertising and games company Sega, Joseph was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. He started out as RCA’s chief of press relations.

David joined Universal Music in August 1998 as general manager of Polydor UK before moving up in February 2002 to become managing director and later co-President of Polydor alongside Colin Barlow. In April 2006, Joseph was promoted to President, Universal Music Operations, overseeing Universal Classics & Jazz, UMTV and the launch of TV production division Globe alongside his Polydor responsibilities.

In March 2008 he was appointed to the role of Chairman and CEO, Universal Music UK, overseeing all divisions of the UK’s leading record company. David became a member of the BPI Council in 2005 following two years on the Brits Committee.

Jeremy Lascelles started his career in the music industry in the early 70’s as a band/tour manager before joining Virgin Records in 1979 as an A&R Manager. He spent 13 years there in various A&R, Marketing and MD roles before joining Chrysalis as MD of Chrysalis Music in 1994.

He has overseen the growth and expansion of the publishing company which has now become the leading UK independent music publisher. Appointed as Managing Director of the Echo Label in 1998, he was then promoted to Chief Executive of the Music Division in 2001 before, being appointed CEO of Chrysalis PLC. In 2003 he was elected to the council of the BPI, and also to the board of AIM where he was made vice-chairman in 2004.

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Jeremy Lascelles started his career in the music industry in the early 70’s as a band/tour manager before joining Virgin Records in 1979 as an A&R Manager. He spent 13 years there in various A&R, Marketing and MD roles before joining Chrysalis as MD of Chrysalis Music in 1994.

He has overseen the growth and expansion of the publishing company which has now become the leading UK independent music publisher. Appointed as Managing Director of the Echo Label in 1998, he was then promoted to Chief Executive of the Music Division in 2001 before, being appointed CEO of Chrysalis PLC. In 2003 he was elected to the council of the BPI, and also to the board of AIM where he was made vice-chairman in 2004.

Diana Liverman is Director of Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute and holds a university Chair in Environmental Science in the School of Geography. As director of ECI, Dr. Liverman co-ordinates the work of 80+ interdisciplinary contract researchers and doctoral students who work primarily in the areas of climate, energy and ecosystems with a strong applied and policy focus. ECI hosts or co-hosts national and international projects that include the UK Climate Impacts Program, the Oxford node of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, the U.K. Energy Research Centre and the ICSU/ESSP Global Environmental Change and Food Systems (GECAFS) programme.

Her research focuses on the human dimensions of global environmental change including climate change policy and impacts, the social causes and consequences of land use change, and environmental management in the Americas. She has made substantial contributions to our understanding of vulnerability to climate change and to developing larger research agendas on the social science of global change.

Dr. Liverman’s leadership roles include chairing the U.S. National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change and the science committee and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change (IAI). She has been a member of committees that include the UK Human Dimensions Committee, US National Academy of Sciences committee on the U.S. Climate Change Science Plan, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Social Science Advisory Board, and advisory boards for NASA, the NOAA Global Change Program, and the U.S. National Centre for Atmospheric Research.

She is a member of editorial boards of the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Global Environmental Change, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, and Climatic Change and was a contributing author and reviewer for three intergovernmental panels on Climate Change assessments.

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Diana Liverman is Director of Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute and holds a university Chair in Environmental Science in the School of Geography. As director of ECI, Dr. Liverman co-ordinates the work of 80+ interdisciplinary contract researchers and doctoral students who work primarily in the areas of climate, energy and ecosystems with a strong applied and policy focus. ECI hosts or co-hosts national and international projects that include the UK Climate Impacts Program, the Oxford node of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, the U.K. Energy Research Centre and the ICSU/ESSP Global Environmental Change and Food Systems (GECAFS) programme.

Her research focuses on the human dimensions of global environmental change including climate change policy and impacts, the social causes and consequences of land use change, and environmental management in the Americas. She has made substantial contributions to our understanding of vulnerability to climate change and to developing larger research agendas on the social science of global change.

Dr. Liverman’s leadership roles include chairing the U.S. National Academy of Sciences Committee on the Human Dimensions of Global Environmental Change and the science committee and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change (IAI). She has been a member of committees that include the UK Human Dimensions Committee, US National Academy of Sciences committee on the U.S. Climate Change Science Plan, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Social Science Advisory Board, and advisory boards for NASA, the NOAA Global Change Program, and the U.S. National Centre for Atmospheric Research.

She is a member of editorial boards of the Annual Review of Environment and Resources, Global Environmental Change, Annals of the Association of American Geographers, and Climatic Change and was a contributing author and reviewer for three intergovernmental panels on Climate Change assessments.

Emma Pike is VP Communications & Artist Relations for Sony BMG Music Entertainment UK and a key supporter of Julie’s Bicycle at its inception. Emma practiced as a corporate and intellectual property lawyer in the UK and Italy before joining the music industry trade body IFPI in Brussels in 2002 to help advise the European Union on copyright law reform in the light of new technologies.

From there she took on a similar role in the UK, heading up British Music Rights which liaises between the songwriting and music publishing community and the UK government. She moved to her current role at Sony BMG in 2007.

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Emma Pike is VP Communications & Artist Relations for Sony BMG Music Entertainment UK and a key supporter of Julie’s Bicycle at its inception. Emma practiced as a corporate and intellectual property lawyer in the UK and Italy before joining the music industry trade body IFPI in Brussels in 2002 to help advise the European Union on copyright law reform in the light of new technologies.

From there she took on a similar role in the UK, heading up British Music Rights which liaises between the songwriting and music publishing community and the UK government. She moved to her current role at Sony BMG in 2007.

Jazz Summers turned to management in the early 80s and publishing in the late 80s. 25 years on as CEO of Big Life Group Of Companies , Summers has been responsible for managing Wham!, Lisa Stansfield, Yazz, Soul ll Soul, The Verve, Badly Drawn Boy, Nigel Kennedy, Snow Patrol , Klaxons and the Futureheads.

Between them these artists have sold over 40 million albums and 47 million singles around the world, including 95 top 40 hits over the past 18 years. Big Life Music has grown to become one of the most respected independent publishers in the UK, recognized as the largest independent publishing company in the last two quarters of 2007.

In 2003, as a member of the Music Managers Forum, Summers was awarded the prestigious Peter Grant award and in December 2004 was elected chairman of this organization. At the 2007 Music Week Awards, he was honoured with the Strat Award.

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Jazz Summers turned to management in the early 80s and publishing in the late 80s. 25 years on as CEO of Big Life Group Of Companies , Summers has been responsible for managing Wham!, Lisa Stansfield, Yazz, Soul ll Soul, The Verve, Badly Drawn Boy, Nigel Kennedy, Snow Patrol , Klaxons and the Futureheads.

Between them these artists have sold over 40 million albums and 47 million singles around the world, including 95 top 40 hits over the past 18 years. Big Life Music has grown to become one of the most respected independent publishers in the UK, recognized as the largest independent publishing company in the last two quarters of 2007.

In 2003, as a member of the Music Managers Forum, Summers was awarded the prestigious Peter Grant award and in December 2004 was elected chairman of this organization. At the 2007 Music Week Awards, he was honoured with the Strat Award.

Martin Talbot is the Managing Director of The Official UK Charts Company, providers of the most accurate intelligence data on the British video and music industries – and the most sophisticated chart system anywhere in the world.

Talbot joined the OCC in October 2007, following several years as Editor of Music Week, a trade paper for the UK music industry. Martin started his career in local news at the Hackney Gazette, where he reported on crime, politics and entertainment. His time at Music Week began in the early 1990s, interrupted by a spell as a staff writer at the NME. Stints as News Editor, then Launch Editor of Fono (MW’s European sister publication) led to his promotion to Executive Editor in January 2002 — overseeing the editorial team behind the magazine-to-web business information service — before taking on the title of Editor in January 2005.

Jon “Webbo” Webster has worked for two people most of his life - himself and Richard Branson. The former paid better.

Most of his career was spent at Virgin, both retail where he began as a shop assistant in 1975, and at Virgin Records where he started in 1981 as Sales Manager where he progressed to Managing Director in 1988. In 1983 he was instrumental in devising the Now! That’s What I Call Music brand. He was a member of the BPI Council from 1985 – 1992.

Following the EMI purchase of Virgin in 1992 Jon left corporate life, set up his own company, and worked with Virgin acts Genesis, Peter Gabriel, UB40, Mike and the Mechanics and others. In 1992 he founded the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. From 1992 – 2002 he wrote the “Webbo” column for Music Week.

From 2000 Jon moved into management with D*Note and Francis Dunnery (former singer with It Bites) setting up the internet sales label Aquarian Nation.

In May 2005, after 13 years working for himself, Jon was appointed Director, Independent Member Services at the BPI, the UK record industry trade body. In October 2007 he embraced the artist centric future when he was appointed CEO of the Music Managers Forum.

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Jon “Webbo” Webster has worked for two people most of his life - himself and Richard Branson. The former paid better.

Most of his career was spent at Virgin, both retail where he began as a shop assistant in 1975, and at Virgin Records where he started in 1981 as Sales Manager where he progressed to Managing Director in 1988. In 1983 he was instrumental in devising the Now! That’s What I Call Music brand. He was a member of the BPI Council from 1985 – 1992.

Following the EMI purchase of Virgin in 1992 Jon left corporate life, set up his own company, and worked with Virgin acts Genesis, Peter Gabriel, UB40, Mike and the Mechanics and others. In 1992 he founded the prestigious Mercury Music Prize. From 1992 – 2002 he wrote the “Webbo” column for Music Week.

From 2000 Jon moved into management with D*Note and Francis Dunnery (former singer with It Bites) setting up the internet sales label Aquarian Nation.

In May 2005, after 13 years working for himself, Jon was appointed Director, Independent Member Services at the BPI, the UK record industry trade body. In October 2007 he embraced the artist centric future when he was appointed CEO of the Music Managers Forum.

Alison set up Julie’s Bicycle in April 2007. Before that she led the music consultation for the National Skills Academy, was the Music Director at Creative and Cultural Skills (which she helped set up) and prior to this had spent fifteen years developing the community music sector at Community Music.

Alison trained as a musician and teacher. Her advisory roles have included the Live Music Forum, Music Manifesto Steering Group, and the Music Business Forum. She is on the Board of Sound Connections.

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Alison set up Julie’s Bicycle in April 2007. Before that she led the music consultation for the National Skills Academy, was the Music Director at Creative and Cultural Skills (which she helped set up) and prior to this had spent fifteen years developing the community music sector at Community Music.

Alison trained as a musician and teacher. Her advisory roles have included the Live Music Forum, Music Manifesto Steering Group, and the Music Business Forum. She is on the Board of Sound Connections.

Catherine supported Julie’s Bicycle while working in the Government and Industry Affairs Department at EMI Group, before becoming Julie’s Bicycle’s Operations Manager in November 2007.

Prior to moving to the UK, Catherine worked in the music industry in New Zealand, as Communications and Events Coordinator for the collecting society APRA, as well as a period with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, and tutoring English at the University of Auckland.

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Catherine supported Julie’s Bicycle while working in the Government and Industry Affairs Department at EMI Group, before becoming Julie’s Bicycle’s Operations Manager in November 2007.

Prior to moving to the UK, Catherine worked in the music industry in New Zealand, as Communications and Events Coordinator for the collecting society APRA, as well as a period with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, and tutoring English at the University of Auckland.

Helen Heathfield advises people and businesses on how to become carbon zero. Helen gained her expertise at the Building Research Establishment Group (a world leading research, consultancy and sustainability organization).

Helen dedicated herself to planning new zero carbon communities and sustainable urban design at EDAW, one of the world’s foremost sustainable environment companies operating from 30 cities across the world. Now, Helen advises people and companies directly about what they can do to make a difference in their existing buildings. She has been working with the Big Life Group and Live Nation as the founder member of Julie’s Bicycle Climate Team.

Catherine is an energy researcher focusing on the capacity of businesses and individuals to reduce carbon emissions. Her recent research has included examining the viability of personal carbon allowances to incentivise energy efficient behaviour. Catherine is lead inventor with Dr. Russell Layberry of two online energy management tools, i-measure and SMEasure, designed for individuals and businesses to measure, benchmark and target their energy use and carbon emissions.

Catherine has been the lead researcher from Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute to indicatively estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of the UK music industry. The research has identified some of the main blockages and opportunities for the industry to collectively reduce emissions. Catherine is taking forward this work in her doctorate studies with the Resolve Group at Surrey University. Her doctorate research will be studying the response of the music industry to climate change action and its ability as a creative, cultural and lifestyles industry to encourage a transition to low carbon lifestyles.

Catherine has a Masters in Environmental Management from Yale University (USA). She has done environmental research in the UK, USA, India and Pakistan. She is passionate about the development of climate change solutions that are visionary, equitable, and affordable.

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Catherine is an energy researcher focusing on the capacity of businesses and individuals to reduce carbon emissions. Her recent research has included examining the viability of personal carbon allowances to incentivise energy efficient behaviour. Catherine is lead inventor with Dr. Russell Layberry of two online energy management tools, i-measure and SMEasure, designed for individuals and businesses to measure, benchmark and target their energy use and carbon emissions.

Catherine has been the lead researcher from Oxford University’s Environmental Change Institute to indicatively estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of the UK music industry. The research has identified some of the main blockages and opportunities for the industry to collectively reduce emissions. Catherine is taking forward this work in her doctorate studies with the Resolve Group at Surrey University. Her doctorate research will be studying the response of the music industry to climate change action and its ability as a creative, cultural and lifestyles industry to encourage a transition to low carbon lifestyles.

Catherine has a Masters in Environmental Management from Yale University (USA). She has done environmental research in the UK, USA, India and Pakistan. She is passionate about the development of climate change solutions that are visionary, equitable, and affordable.

Andrew designs and implements environmental strategies for businesses, he has a background in environmental sciences and previously managed sustainability programs at one of the worlds largest banks.

Andrew now works as Live Nation's Environmental Manager and in this role works on Carbon Footprinting venues and events, establishing engagement programs with both staff and audiences and implementing improvement programs across their operations. Within Julie’s Bicycle Andrew has been involved in developing and trialing the ig standards and providing advice on the practical application of the tools.

Graham has spent over 20 years working within the Music Industry, specialising in the management and purchasing of disc replication, print and packaging. Prior to setting up his own purchasing consultancy, Purchasing for Profit Ltd, he was Senior Director of Group Purchasing at EMI Music. More recently he has worked with Warner Music and Ministry of Sound. His involvement with reducing carbon emissions started in the mid 1990’s assisting in the development of life cycle analysis of CD packaging. Within Julie’s Bicycle Graham contributed to the ‘Impacts and Opportunities report’ identifying and overcoming barriers in the transition from plastic to board packaging. He now is involved in developing and implementing the IG Standard for CD packaging.

Kim Bayley studied at the University of Surrey and at Guilford Law College. Upon graduating with a BSC in Law, German and French she started her business career with Lovell White Durrant Solicitors. Following a further spell at Coopers & Lybrand in Corporate Finance, Kim spent seven years with West LB Panmure in Media Investment Banking. She joined ERA in 2002 as Director of Development and was appointed Secretary General in 2004 and Director General in 2007. As well as being responsible for the day to day running of ERA she is a Director of the Official Charts Company and participates in many entertainment industry forums.

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Kim Bayley studied at the University of Surrey and at Guilford Law College. Upon graduating with a BSC in Law, German and French she started her business career with Lovell White Durrant Solicitors. Following a further spell at Coopers & Lybrand in Corporate Finance, Kim spent seven years with West LB Panmure in Media Investment Banking. She joined ERA in 2002 as Director of Development and was appointed Secretary General in 2004 and Director General in 2007. As well as being responsible for the day to day running of ERA she is a Director of the Official Charts Company and participates in many entertainment industry forums.

Melvin Benn had a ten year background of producing political and campaigning festivals throughout the UK before establishing The Festival Office Ltd in 1989 to create and produce festivals for the Mean Fiddler.

This was the same year that the Mean Fiddler took over the Reading Festival, which has sold out ever since. In 1999, Benn took the event to Leeds. In 1996 Benn took ‘The Festival Office’ to be part of the Mean Fiddler Music Group and became Managing Director. In 1999 he became Group CEO taking Mean Fiddler and its associated companies into a plc structure. This made Mean Fiddler the first publicly quoted music company on to the UK Stock Exchange.

Benn is also the licensee for all Finsbury Park outdoor shows and sits as a representative on the Concert Promoters Association (CPA). He was influential in re-writing the Guide to Health and Safety at Outdoor Events (‘the Pop Code’), and regularly makes presentations to the Emergency Planning College, the police and other bodies.

In August 2007 Benn sold the majority of the Mean Fiddler Music Group venues as well as the Mean Fiddler Music Group name to concentrate on the full festival portfolio ; Carling Weekend Reading & Leeds, Latitude, Rise, St Patrick’s Day, Fleadh and the involvement with Glastonbury Festival under the new name of Festival Republic.

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Melvin Benn had a ten year background of producing political and campaigning festivals throughout the UK before establishing The Festival Office Ltd in 1989 to create and produce festivals for the Mean Fiddler.

This was the same year that the Mean Fiddler took over the Reading Festival, which has sold out ever since. In 1999, Benn took the event to Leeds. In 1996 Benn took ‘The Festival Office’ to be part of the Mean Fiddler Music Group and became Managing Director. In 1999 he became Group CEO taking Mean Fiddler and its associated companies into a plc structure. This made Mean Fiddler the first publicly quoted music company on to the UK Stock Exchange.

Benn is also the licensee for all Finsbury Park outdoor shows and sits as a representative on the Concert Promoters Association (CPA). He was influential in re-writing the Guide to Health and Safety at Outdoor Events (‘the Pop Code’), and regularly makes presentations to the Emergency Planning College, the police and other bodies.

In August 2007 Benn sold the majority of the Mean Fiddler Music Group venues as well as the Mean Fiddler Music Group name to concentrate on the full festival portfolio ; Carling Weekend Reading & Leeds, Latitude, Rise, St Patrick’s Day, Fleadh and the involvement with Glastonbury Festival under the new name of Festival Republic.

Kim Chappell began working for Simon Fuller ten years ago and moved to the 19 London offices in 2003. Since then she has directed and produced a wide range of events of special importance to 19, including a private flagship concert with all 19’s UK and US artists at the Royal Albert Hall, in celebration of 19 years of 19. After internationally producing the pre-recorded content for LIVE 8 in 2005, Kim has focused on leading 19’s growing slate of social, environmental and charitable work. In 2006 she co-ordinated 19, ITV and the Prince’s Trust during the production of the Prince’s Trust 30th Anniversary TV show and more recently worked with Annie Lennox on SING; a project designed to help women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Africa. For the last 18 months she has been event producer for Peace One Day, which has seen her producing concerts and film events in the Royal Albert Hall and this year The Nokia Theatre in New York alongside Peace One Day’s founder, Jeremy Gilley.

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Kim Chappell began working for Simon Fuller ten years ago and moved to the 19 London offices in 2003. Since then she has directed and produced a wide range of events of special importance to 19, including a private flagship concert with all 19’s UK and US artists at the Royal Albert Hall, in celebration of 19 years of 19. After internationally producing the pre-recorded content for LIVE 8 in 2005, Kim has focused on leading 19’s growing slate of social, environmental and charitable work. In 2006 she co-ordinated 19, ITV and the Prince’s Trust during the production of the Prince’s Trust 30th Anniversary TV show and more recently worked with Annie Lennox on SING; a project designed to help women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Africa. For the last 18 months she has been event producer for Peace One Day, which has seen her producing concerts and film events in the Royal Albert Hall and this year The Nokia Theatre in New York alongside Peace One Day’s founder, Jeremy Gilley.

Susanna Eastburn is Director, Music Strategy at Arts Council England. Before joining the Arts Council in 2008, she was Executive Producer of Lift (London International Festival of Theatre) where she has helped lead one of the world’s most respected international theatre organisations. Born and educated in Cornwall before studying music at King’s College, Cambridge, her previous roles include Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Chair of the Society for the Promotion of New Music and a Governor of Leeds College of Music. She has also been a fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme.

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Susanna Eastburn is Director, Music Strategy at Arts Council England. Before joining the Arts Council in 2008, she was Executive Producer of Lift (London International Festival of Theatre) where she has helped lead one of the world’s most respected international theatre organisations. Born and educated in Cornwall before studying music at King’s College, Cambridge, her previous roles include Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Chair of the Society for the Promotion of New Music and a Governor of Leeds College of Music. She has also been a fellow of the Clore Leadership Programme.

Phil is Managing Director and Co-owner, Continental Clothing Company.  He co-founded the business in 1994, and immediately it became a leading supplier of blank  apparel to the music industry, especially for tour and concert merchandise. In 2005, Phil established Continental in USA, to better serve music artists touring on both sides of the Atlantic. He has led the way in terms of product innovation and setting out business ethics.

Continental Clothing now has offices in London, Berlin, Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles, supplying the music trade with consistently high quality merchandise for all new artists and international stars alike.

Most recently, Phil has been instrumental in mapping out a new direction for the merchandising industry – the newly created EarthPositive standard for textile products adopts a holistic approach to environmental, labour and climate change issues. Phil works closely with the Environmental Justice Foundation, the Soil Association, the Fair Wear Foundation and the Carbon Trust. Continental Clothing is the first textile company to carbon footprint its products, and is the pilot partner in the carbon labelling initiative. The EarthPositive Apparel has achieved a 90% reduction of its GHG footprint. Under Phil’s direction, Continental continues to innovate in low carbon apparel and business ethics.

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Phil is Managing Director and Co-owner, Continental Clothing Company. He co-founded the business in 1994, and immediately it became a leading supplier of blank  apparel to the music industry, especially for tour and concert merchandise. In 2005, Phil established Continental in USA, to better serve music artists touring on both sides of the Atlantic. He has led the way in terms of product innovation and setting out business ethics.

Continental Clothing now has offices in London, Berlin, Tokyo, New York and Los Angeles, supplying the music trade with consistently high quality merchandise for all new artists and international stars alike.

Most recently, Phil has been instrumental in mapping out a new direction for the merchandising industry – the newly created EarthPositive standard for textile products adopts a holistic approach to environmental, labour and climate change issues. Phil works closely with the Environmental Justice Foundation, the Soil Association, the Fair Wear Foundation and the Carbon Trust. Continental Clothing is the first textile company to carbon footprint its products, and is the pilot partner in the carbon labelling initiative. The EarthPositive Apparel has achieved a 90% reduction of its GHG footprint. Under Phil’s direction, Continental continues to innovate in low carbon apparel and business ethics.

With more than 30 years experience in the live music industry, Rob Hallett is recognised as one of Europe’s most successful live music promoters. Amongst the artists he has been involved with in recent years are Bon Jovi, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys to name but a few.

In the 1980s, Rob helped build the careers of such acts as Duran Duran, Adam and The Ants, UB40, Talk Talk, Dexys Midnight Runners and Kajagoogoo. Since his introduction to the live music industry as a 16-year-old kid promoting gigs in a local Sussex pub, Rob has evolved into one of the very few executives in the music industry who has experience across the whole spectrum of the business. As well as enjoying success as an agent, promoter and manager – of whom Youssou N’Dour is still a client, Rob has been a festival programmer, tour manager, music publisher, record label managing director and has even owned recording studios. Rob was a director of Mean Fiddler Music Group, where he established the company’s touring division and developed it into one of Europe’s promoting powerhouses. Prior to his time at Mean Fiddler, Rob spent 10 years at Marshall Arts, which facilitated his transition from being an artist agent to an award winning, international concert promoter.

In February 2005, Rob Hallett was appointed to the newly created role of Senior Vice President of AEG Live UK. Based in London’s Canary Wharf, Rob’s office overlooks the O2, which sister company AEG redeveloped into the most state-of-the-art entertainment complex in Europe. Rob is now President, International Touring, AEG Live.

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With more than 30 years experience in the live music industry, Rob Hallett is recognised as one of Europe’s most successful live music promoters. Amongst the artists he has been involved with in recent years are Bon Jovi, Prince, Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Kanye West, Mary J Blige, Alicia Keys to name but a few.

In the 1980s, Rob helped build the careers of such acts as Duran Duran, Adam and The Ants, UB40, Talk Talk, Dexys Midnight Runners and Kajagoogoo. Since his introduction to the live music industry as a 16-year-old kid promoting gigs in a local Sussex pub, Rob has evolved into one of the very few executives in the music industry who has experience across the whole spectrum of the business. As well as enjoying success as an agent, promoter and manager – of whom Youssou N’Dour is still a client, Rob has been a festival programmer, tour manager, music publisher, record label managing director and has even owned recording studios. Rob was a director of Mean Fiddler Music Group, where he established the company’s touring division and developed it into one of Europe’s promoting powerhouses. Prior to his time at Mean Fiddler, Rob spent 10 years at Marshall Arts, which facilitated his transition from being an artist agent to an award winning, international concert promoter.

In February 2005, Rob Hallett was appointed to the newly created role of Senior Vice President of AEG Live UK. Based in London’s Canary Wharf, Rob’s office overlooks the O2, which sister company AEG redeveloped into the most state-of-the-art entertainment complex in Europe. Rob is now President, International Touring, AEG Live.

Ben Lambert  joined PPL as a Financial Analyst in 2001 and has held several positions in the company before being appointed to his current role of Finance Director in 2006.  He is a qualified accountant with 9 years experience in the music, media and retail sectors. His career began with a graduate placement at Warner Music, followed by a period at internet/mobile company Mviva, prior to a move to Carphone Warehouse.

He is responsible for the overall running of the Finance department. In 2008 he also assumed responsibility for the Distribution and Usage department ensuring that PPL’s net income is paid out to record companies and performers efficiently, accurately and as transparently as possible. Ben is the head sponsor of PPL’s CSR committee.

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Ben Lambert  joined PPL as a Financial Analyst in 2001 and has held several positions in the company before being appointed to his current role of Finance Director in 2006.  He is a qualified accountant with 9 years experience in the music, media and retail sectors. His career began with a graduate placement at Warner Music, followed by a period at internet/mobile company Mviva, prior to a move to Carphone Warehouse.

He is responsible for the overall running of the Finance department. In 2008 he also assumed responsibility for the Distribution and Usage department ensuring that PPL’s net income is paid out to record companies and performers efficiently, accurately and as transparently as possible. Ben is the head sponsor of PPL’s CSR committee.

Paul Latham joined Apollo Leisure on his 24th birthday on 24th September 1984, in the role of Assistant Theatre Manager at the Apollo Theatre Oxford. At the time, Apollo had only six theatres.

Through acquisition and growth, Apollo Leisure became the leading UK venue owner/ operators. When Apollo Leisure was sold in 1999 to SFX, Paul became the Vice President of Operations responsible for Sheffield Arena, Cardiff International Arena, The Point Dublin, Hammersmith and Manchester Apollo as well as managing a ticketing business selling 6 million tickets per annum.

During his career Paul has event managed and operated three Eurovision Song Concerts, MTV Music Awards, three Royal Variety Performances, the World Premiere of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and was Artist and Royal security at Live Aid in 1985.

Promoted to President of UK Music and Venues of Live Nation in 2003, Paul is responsible for the most prolific and prosperous music promotions company in the UK. He controls venues, event promotions and creation, marketing partnerships, ticketing and security services.

Paul is also a consultant on several new-build arena developments across the UK and Europe.

A divorcee with two boys of whom he is very proud, the little leisure time Paul has is normally following horse racing, American football and the noble art of crown green bowls.

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Paul Latham joined Apollo Leisure on his 24th birthday on 24th September 1984, in the role of Assistant Theatre Manager at the Apollo Theatre Oxford. At the time, Apollo had only six theatres.

Through acquisition and growth, Apollo Leisure became the leading UK venue owner/ operators. When Apollo Leisure was sold in 1999 to SFX, Paul became the Vice President of Operations responsible for Sheffield Arena, Cardiff International Arena, The Point Dublin, Hammersmith and Manchester Apollo as well as managing a ticketing business selling 6 million tickets per annum.

During his career Paul has event managed and operated three Eurovision Song Concerts, MTV Music Awards, three Royal Variety Performances, the World Premiere of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and was Artist and Royal security at Live Aid in 1985.

Promoted to President of UK Music and Venues of Live Nation in 2003, Paul is responsible for the most prolific and prosperous music promotions company in the UK. He controls venues, event promotions and creation, marketing partnerships, ticketing and security services.

Paul is also a consultant on several new-build arena developments across the UK and Europe.

A divorcee with two boys of whom he is very proud, the little leisure time Paul has is normally following horse racing, American football and the noble art of crown green bowls.

Rod started ‘ITB‘ in 1978 (along with partner Barry Dickins) and has seen it grow to one of the world’s leading music agencies. They exclusively represent some 200 artists. Rod personally represents (among others) Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera, Lenny Kravitz, Ozzy Osbourne (and Black Sabbath), Pearl Jam, Placebo, Rage Against The Machine, Robert Plant, Shakira, The Verve and The Who.

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Rod started ‘ITB‘ in 1978 (along with partner Barry Dickins) and has seen it grow to one of the world’s leading music agencies. They exclusively represent some 200 artists. Rod personally represents (among others) Aerosmith, Christina Aguilera, Lenny Kravitz, Ozzy Osbourne (and Black Sabbath), Pearl Jam, Placebo, Rage Against The Machine, Robert Plant, Shakira, The Verve and The Who.

Justin Morris is the Chief Financial Officer of EMI Music UK and Ireland, and has been since 2004.

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Justin Morris is the Chief Financial Officer of EMI Music UK and Ireland, and has been since 2004.

Bryan Raven is Managing Director of White Light and has been with the company for over 20 years. His career started with a brief spell at Theatre Projects after spending two years realising that lighting was a lot more fun than mechanical engineering at Imperial College. White Light now has a turnover of £13M and over 100 staff, and is one of the biggest suppliers of lighting equipment for live performance in the UK. Traditionally known for supplying theatre shows such as Miss Saigon, Lord of The Rings & Mary Poppins; the company has diversified and grown so much since moving to Wimbledon in 2001 that theatre only accounts for 25% of the turnover.

International MD Beggars Group.
Biography to follow.

Simon studied at the University of Exeter, graduating with a BA in Economics in 1993 and then trained as an accountant at Coopers & Lybrand for three years. Soon after qualifying as an ACA, he moved to TW Internal Audit, spending a year and half constantly abroad, managing audit assignments at affiliates of Warner Bros, Warner Home Video and Warner Music all round the world. In 1998, he joined Warner Music International as Finance Director for Asia Pacific. In June 2002, he was posted to Tokyo for 2 years as the Executive Consultant at WM Japan. On returning to the UK in 2004, he became VP of Finance & Operations, EMEA before being appointed CFO, WMUK in 2007.