Record label trade body the BPI has announced it has appointed former Sanctuary exec Julian Wall to the position of Director Of Independent Member Services, taking over from Jon Webster, who left the BPI to join artist management trade body MMF earlier in the year. Confirming his new appointment, Wall todl CMU: "Independence in 2007 is as much a state of mind as a way of doing business. In representing the concerns and articulating the benefits of a healthy, vibrant independent sector Webbo has done a fantastic job and I'm thrilled to be able to continue, develop and build on that progress. The BPI has a crucial role to play in helping its members navigate the choices and opportunities arising from new business models, and I'm delighted to join the organisation when there's so much to play for, particularly for independents, in a time of great change".
Wall's appointment comes as two new indie label chiefs join the BPI Council, following the departure of former indie reps Joe Cokell of Sanctuary and David Steele of V2 (with both those labels in the process of being absorbed by Universal). The new indie reps are Jeremy Elliot, Managing Director of Retrospective Recordings and Adrian Sear, Commercial Director at Demon Music Group.