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Alison Wenham joins Chrysalis as COO
By Andy Malt | Published on Tuesday 30 November 2021
Chrysalis Records has announced former Association Of Independent Music boss Alison Wenham as its new Chief Operating Officer.
“I was fortunate enough to work closely with Alison when I served on the board of AIM”, says the label’s CEO Jeremy Lascelles. “She is one of the smartest people I have ever met in the music business and a true champion for independent music. I have always wanted to find an opportunity for us to work together again, so am particularly delighted that the time is now. I know she will be a fantastic and transformative addition to the team as we continue the growth and expansion of the company”.
Chrysalis was originally founded in 1968, later being acquired by EMI in 1991 and eventually phased out as a frontline label in the 2000s. A former chief of the Chrysalis music publishing business – which had not been part of the EMI deal – Lascelles then bought the Chrysalis Records catalogue and brand through his joint venture with Robin Millar, Blue Raincoat, in 2018.
The latest incarnation of Chrysalis Records was then acquired by Reservoir in 2019, as part of an alliance with Blue Raincoat. It then relaunched as a frontline label in February last year, naming Laura Marling as its first signing, in partnership with Partisan Records.
Wenham founded AIM in 1999 and remained its CEO until stepping down in 2016. She continued to head up the Worldwide Independent Network – the global network for the indie label community – until 2018. Since then she has worked with and advised various music companies, including Funnel Music and the Music Credit Fund.
Confirming her new role, Wenham adds: “I’m very happy to be joining Jeremy, Robin and the team at Chrysalis/Blue Raincoat. My heartland is the independent sector, and this company is one of its leaders. With impressive plans for the future, I’m joining at a hugely exciting time for the company”.
