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Tony Wadsworth named new Chair of BRIT Trust

By | Published on Friday 26 February 2021

Tony Wadsworth

Tony Wadsworth has been announced as the new Chair of the BRIT Trust, the music industry charity that operates the BRIT Awards alongside record industry trade group the BPI, and funds the BRIT School and other music organisations. He replaces John Craig who announced his plans to step down in November.

A UK music industry veteran, of course, Wadsworth was former CEO of EMI Music UK, and was also Chair of the BPI itself for seven years, until he stepped down in 2014. He was also a trustee of the British Record Industry Trust (if you were wondering what BRIT stood for) for sixteen years.

“I am honoured to be the new Chair of The BRIT Trust, and to have this opportunity to work with my fellow trustees to build on the outstanding work of the Trust since its formation in 1989”, says Wadsworth. “The BRIT Trust is the music industry’s charity and provides funding to the BRIT School and Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy, among many others, that promote education and wellbeing through music, encouraging values of accessibility, diversity and inclusion”.

“The huge challenges created by the pandemic mean that the work of the Trust is now needed more than ever”, he goes on. “But while our guiding principles remain the same, this changed landscape means there is now also an opportunity to reset some of the ways we can look to achieve our goals so these are more closely aligned with the needs of our industry and the communities we are here to serve”.

Co-Chairs of this year’s BRITs Committee – ie the team overseeing the awards – Universal Music UK’s Rebecca Allen and Selina Webb, add in a joint statement: “Music and the creative arts enrich all our lives. Nobody understands this better than the BRIT Trust who do a fantastic job in bringing the industry together behind countless charities and initiatives which amplify the power of music, and support those in need. As Chair, Tony will bring leadership, energy and unrivalled industry experience to help take the work of this important charity to the next level”.

What does BPI boss Geoff Taylor think though? I wonder if, as someone who worked closely with Wadsworth when he was BPI chair, he’ll have first-hand insight into the sort of leader he’ll be at the Trust. Maybe even a bit of certainty about the future. Let’s see.

He says this: “Having had the privilege of working very closely with Tony when he was Chair of the BPI, I know first-hand the vision, experience and collaborative leadership he will bring to this role. The work of the BRIT Trust has never been more important, at a time when young people face more obstacles than ever in developing their creative careers”.

Cool. Shame about the lack of certainty about the future though. That would have been nice. Oh wait, he’s not finished. He goes on: “I’m certain that Tony will take the vital work of the Trust forward with new impetus and a refreshed sense of purpose”.

Well that’s all great then. If Geoff is certain, I’m certain.



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