The BPI have announced that, following the departure of their Exec Chairman Peter Jamieson, the trade body's Director Of Communications & Development Steve Redmond is also moving on. Redmond, who has led the trade body's communication operations for four years as well as being involved in the development of the National Music Week schools programme and creating the British Music Week promotion in Berlin last year, told CMU: "Peter Jamieson and I worked very closely together over the past four years and his departure is a good point for me to move on to something new". Commenting on Redmond's departure, incoming BPI chairman Tony Wadsworth told us: "Steve has a done a great job at the BPI, and we wish him well".
Talking of senior appointments at the BPI, the trade body announced earlier this week the appointment of Dramatico Entertainment top man, Katie Melua discoverer and Wombles music master Mike Batt to the role of BPI Deputy Chairman. The Deputy Chairman role is new, and is part of the previously reported restructure that has come about following Jamieson's departure and which will see the BPI Council of record label bosses getting more proactively involved in the running of the association. Batt will work alongside the aforementioned new Chairman, EMI Music UK boss Wadsworth, and the trade body's new full time CEO Geoff Taylor. Commenting on Batt's appointment, Wadsworth said: "Mike's experience in so many areas of our business, as a performer, writer, producer, publisher and owner and director of a very successful record label, gives him a rare overview which will be invaluable to the BPI, particularly in its dealings with the rest of the industry. I welcome his support".