News

• Niamh Byrne (Eleven Management), Stephen Taverner (East City Management) and Clare Wright (Blackstar Management) newly elected to the MMF board

• Jill Hollywood (Echo Beach Management) and Sammy Andrews (Deviate Management) are re-elected, while Merck Mercuriadis, Rebekah Taylor and Liza Buddie stand down after serving their 3 year term

• More than 130 managers attend the event in Central London to hear a keynote interview with Dre London, manager of Post Malone

• Members also updated on the MMF’s $ong Royalties Manifesto and Digital Burnout report

We have announced three new board members this afternoon during the organisation’s AGM at the Curzon Cinema Soho.

Eleven Management’s Niamh Byrne (Gorillaz, Bastille, Blur), East City Management’s Stephen Taverner (Wolf Alice, Alt-J, Self Esteem) and Blackstar Management’s Clare Wright (JFDR, Æ Mak, Cruel Sister) have all been newly elected. Niamh and Stephen are both long-time MMF members, while Clare was a former participant on the MMF’s acclaimed Accelerator Programme for Music Managers.

Jill Hollywood (Echo Beach Management) and Sammy Andrews (Deviate Management) have both been re-elected to the board, while Merck Mercuriadis, Rebekah Taylor and Liza Buddie will stand down after serving their fixed 3-year terms.

Paul Craig, Chair, Music Managers Forum:

“I am delighted to welcome Niamh, Stephen and Clare. As with Jill and Sammy, these are three extraordinarily respected and entrepreneurial individuals with extensive experience across the global music business. It is so important that we continue to incorporate fresh and challenging voices into our organisation and ensure that the MMF board properly reflects the diversity of our membership. I would also like to thank Merck, Rebekah and Liza for all their valued contributions, particularly during the last couple of years and hope that they stay actively involved. Finally, a huge thank you to the remarkable Dre London for joining us today and for his compelling and inspirational interview.”

More than 130 members attended today’s event, where they enjoyed a compelling keynote interview with London Ent’s Dre London – manager of Post Malone, Tyla Yaweh and Tank God – as well as an annual update of the MMF’s research and campaigns programme, including the recently published $ong Royalties Manifesto and Digital Burnout report.

Attendees were also updated on the latest successes of Accelerator, which, with the backing of YouTube Music, has now supported 91 talented managers and generated at least £5.3m for music creators, and the ongoing expansion of the MMF’s training, development and partnerships programme.

Associate members joining MMF over the past 12 months include SyncVault, Pefoma, Silverbox Streaming, Viberate, YMU Business Management, and Thomas St John.

Over this period, members have participated in expert workshops and training with companies including TikTok, Spotify, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, Songtrust and Patreon, and across areas such as finance, digital marketing, audience development, NFTs, diversity, touring and export.

Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum:  

“I’m incredibly proud of what the small but mighty MMF team has achieved over the past 12 months representing the music management community. Having access to our members’ collective insight is absolutely vital when it comes to research and campaigning, especially in areas like streaming reform. It’s hugely satisfying that the MMF’s evidence-driven approach is leading to real change in the recorded side of our business, which we will continue to pursue to ensure fair and transparent remuneration for artists. We need to start a similar overhaul of industry practices for the benefit of songwriters and composers.”