- Ina Marija Ubaite has joined Arabella Arts as Head of Special Projects and Partnerships, Artist Manager. Ubaite, who was previously Executive Director of Park Avenue Artists in New York, brings over a decade of global genre-agnostic music business experience to her new role.
- Damian Rinaldi has been appointed as the new General Manager of the Australasian Music Publishers Association Limited (AMPAL). Rinaldi has over 30 years’ experience within the music industry and is currently Managing Director of Sonic Rights Management, a music industry consultancy, and Principal of Sonic Lawyers, its affiliated music law firm. He succeeds Matthew O’Sullivan.
- Markus Klimmer has joined HarrisonParrott Group’s Board as a Non-Executive Director. Klimmer, who has a background in business, government, and the arts, will replace Steven Fogel.
- The International Music Council (IMC), founded in 1949 by UNESCO as the world’s largest network of music organisations, has announced new appointments to its Executive Board. Under the leadership of President Sheila Woodward (South Africa/US), the IMC has named Sanni Kahilainen (Finland) as Executive Vice-President, Mamou Daffé (Mali) and Maria Claudia Parias (Colombia) as Vice-Presidents, and Dorothy Conaghan (Ireland) as Treasurer. Additionally, Ananya Bhattacharya (India), Reem Kassem (Egypt/UAE), and Paulo Zuben (Brazil) have been co-opted as new board members. This expanded team will work to implement the roadmap adopted at the November 2023 General Assembly in Rabat, furthering the IMC’s mission to promote access to music for all and advance its Five Music Rights globally.
- Nathan Morrison has become Head of Vocal & Opera at Intermusica , an appointment which will also see him join the company’s Board of Directors. Morrison takes over from Julia Maynard who has decided to relinquish her positions as Head of Department and Deputy Chief Executive; she has been at the helm of the company’s Vocal & Opera arm for the last 18 years and will continue as a Director within the department.
- PPL PRS Limited, a joint venture between the UK’s two music collective management organisations, has appointed Greg Aiello as its new Managing Director. Aiello, previously the company’s Commercial Director since 2019, succeeds Andrea Gray, who is stepping down after nearly five years at the helm.
- Leading Australian arts professional Rachel Healy has been appointed as the next Chief Executive of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Succeeding John Kotzas AM, Healy, who has over 20 years of experience, will assume her five-year term in December 2024, coinciding with QPAC’s 40th anniversary year. Known for her successful tenure as Joint Artistic Director of the Adelaide Festival and leadership positions at other major arts organisations, Healy was unanimously selected by the QPAC Board for her blend of artistic vision and management expertise. Her appointment comes at a critical time for QPAC, with the opening of a fifth venue on the horizon and the approaching Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.
- The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has appointed Despina Tsatsas as its first Executive Producer in London. Tsatsas, whose previous roles include Executive Producer at Punchdrunk International, Frantic Assembly, and the Young Vic, will begin her position in September.
- Nick Beech has been promoted to Head of Programming Operations at the Sydney Festival. He succeeds Ellen Kavanagh who has left her role after three years to become Director of Programming at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC).
- Bertrand Burgalat, founder of the Tricatel label, has been unanimously re-elected as President of the Syndicat National de l’Édition Phonographique (SNEP), the French National Syndicate of Phonographic Publishing, for a two-year term, with Olivier Nusse of Universal Music France re-elected as Vice President. SNEP, which represents the interests of the French recording industry, will continue to address challenges related to AI, digital advancements, and the evolving music landscape. The SNEP Trade Union Council, renewed for two years, includes Yacine Bouzidi (Antipodes Music), Burgalat, Isabel Dacheux (Scherzo Production), Nusse, Marie-Anne Robert (Sony Music France), and Alain Veille (Warner Music France).
- Tom Kiehl has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of UK Music, the collective voice of the UK music industry, following an extensive recruitment process. With over two decades of experience in Westminster, Kiehl will lead the organisation at a critical time as the industry navigates the new Labour Government. In his new role, he will spearhead the sector’s engagement with politicians, policymakers, and government officials. Kiehl, who previously served as UK Music’s Interim Chief Executive, aims to build on the organisation’s mission of unifying the sector and securing its place as a key driver of growth in the UK’s music industry. His appointment comes as UK Music continues to advocate for issues such as copyright protection, music education, AI safeguards, and support for music freelancers.
- Welsh National Opera (WNO) has announced that internationally renowned Opera and Theatre Director Adele Thomas and Creative Producer Sarah Crabtree from The Royal Opera will jointly assume the role of General Director & CEO starting January 2025. The duo aims to elevate WNO’s position on the international stage while making opera more accessible to diverse audiences. Thomas, known for her innovative opera and theatre productions, and Crabtree, experienced in curating bold opera programmes and driving equality initiatives, bring complementary skills to the role. They share a vision of transforming WNO into an innovative powerhouse of opera, respecting its Welsh roots while expanding its reach and relevance in the contemporary arts landscape.
