Feargal Sharkey has been appointed as the new CEO at British Music Rights, that slightly mysterious organisation that apparently represents songwriters and publishers on copyright issues. Apparently. Most songwriters I know have never heard of them. Anyway, Sharkey, the former Undertones singer, of course, and more recently prominent in music business circles as the head of the government's Live Music Forum, will take over from Emma Pike, who left BMR last summer.
Confirming his appointment, Sharkey said in a statement: "BMR has a very well deserved reputation as a progressive industry voice, whether taking the lead on policy matters, its long-term vision for collective licensing and the digital business or its range of social and educational programmes. My intention is to build on these and move this industry forward - with particular regards to new media and technology. Over the past decade, creators have provided the fuel for countless new digital services and it is essential that the contributions of songwriters, composers and publishers are fully recognised. We look forward to a year of innovation, and working with technology partners and government to find common solutions that are mutually beneficial to all consumers and creators".
Elsewhere, Andy Heath, founder of 4AD's publishing outfit, a director of the Beggars Group, and former president of the Music Publishers Association, has also been appointed to a top role at BMR - he will be Chairman, taking over from Leslie Hill, who stood down at the end of last year. He said this: "The necessity for our industry to speak in one coherent voice has become increasingly apparent, as is the need to reiterate the value of intellectual property in the 21st century and embrace the demands of 21st century consumers. Feargal and the team will ensure that British Music Rights brings a fresh dynamic and clarity to the voice of the British music community, and by that, I mean the creator, the consumer, and those of us in the industry who bring the two together".