Geoff Taylor to step down as CEO of UK record label trade body BPI

Geoff Taylor is stepping down from his function as Chief Executive Officer of the BPI, the trade entire body representing big and impartial labels in the United kingdom.

In a press launch announcing the information, the BPI suggests that Taylor intends to shift elsewhere “to a a lot more right industrial role”, after 25 years operating for label associations, like far more than 15 yrs top the BPI.

London-based Taylor states he has agreed to stay on till early 2023 though the group recruits for a successor. 

He was appointed CEO of the BPI in February 2007 and also serves as the CEO of the yearly BRIT Awards demonstrate (The BPI oversees both of those the BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize).

Prior to joining the BPI, in between 2005 and 2007, Taylor was Typical Counsel and Govt Vice-President at IFPI, the business that represents the recorded new music business globally.

In between 2003 and 2005, Taylor worked as Standard Counsel at the BPI during an earlier stint at the business. Prior to that, concerning 1997 and 2003, Taylor worked as a senior legal advisor at IFPI.

Amongst 1995 and 1997, Taylor practised legislation as an Associate at law agency WilmerHale in Belgium.

Taylor’s lawful career began at the College of Sussex, the place he studied between 1987 and 1991 and graduated with a BA Hons in Legislation with French/European Research. He also has a Postgraduate Diploma in European Regulation, which he studied for involving 1992 and 1993 at the University of Europe in Bruges.

 

In accordance to the BPI, as a former Standard Counsel at world trade human body IFPI, Taylor “helped safe industry and Uk governing administration aid for the extension of copyright expression and led the BPI’s strategy to minimize on the web tunes piracy”.

This included, according to the BPI, “blocking entry to illegal P2P and stream-ripping websites, negotiating alterations to international policies with Google, Facebook and on the internet promoting networks to demote unlawful sites”.

Taylor also oversaw the BRIT Awards’ go to the O2 in London, according to the BPI, as properly as the event’s “long-expression approach to extend digital engagement, world-wide access and revenues”.

He is also credited with steering the acquisition by the BPI in 2015 of the Mercury Prize, and, in accordance to the BPI, championing the generation, by the British government, of the Music Exports Advancement Plan (MEGS), operate by the BPI, which has awarded additional than £4 million in grants to United kingdom independent labels and artists.

Taylor is also credited, by the BPI, with actively playing a critical role given that 2007 in “overseeing the industry’s marriage with government” in the British isles, which includes just lately, with the DCMS on the economics of music streaming investigation and the linked Competition & Markets Authority market analyze.

“It has been a fantastic privilege to lead the BPI throughout this sort of a transformational period for British songs.”

Geoff Taylor, BPI

Geoff Taylor, CEO of BPI, explained: “It has been a excellent privilege to direct the BPI in the course of this sort of a transformational time period for British music.

“With a new Chair appointed and our 50th anniversary following 12 months, it feels like BPI is opening a new chapter. Following a lot reflection, I have made the decision that running the BPI for 15 several years is enough for any moderately sane particular person and that now is the time to use my expertise far more specifically in a industrial natural environment. I have agreed to remain on right until early 2023 to aid our new Chair YolanDa Brown obtain an suitable successor. 

“I want to thank the amazing group at the BPI, former Chair Ged Doherty, and our independent and key associates for their knowledge, superior humour and steadfast guidance. I would like YolanDa and all the customers continuing achievement.”

“Geoff’s insightful and ahead-thinking leadership benefited the sector as it navigated massive issues over the past 15 many years.”

Tony Harlow, Warner Tunes United kingdom

Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music United kingdom, added:  “Geoff’s insightful and forward-wondering leadership benefited the marketplace as it navigated massive difficulties over the past 15 yrs.

“His argument that copyright need to be revered on the net served protected a sustainable and growing songs marketplace in our nation, one that has produced world-wide success for artists these as Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Dua Lipa. 

Continued Harlow: “He was the driving pressure driving the BPI’s prosperous procedures to cut down songs piracy and guidelines to help British songs these as the Tunes Export Advancement Plan. 

“Geoff expertly steered The BRIT Awards, trying to keep the present modern-day and suitable, though increasing critical money for The BRIT School and Nordoff Robbins.  Warner Music is quite grateful to Geoff for his unwavering determination to making sure audio stays one of this country’s finest achievements tales.”

“It normally takes actual tenacity to lead an organisation for so lengthy as a result of rapid electronic disruption – we desire Geoff the pretty best and thank him for his tireless advocacy for British new music.” 

Jason Iley, Sony New music United kingdom

Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO of Sony Tunes British isles, claimed: “The audio sector has long gone as a result of huge transform in the past 15 yrs and in that time Geoff has led the BPI with a limited grip on the significant concerns.

“The total marketplace has benefitted from the BPI’s perform combatting piracy, campaigning for export funding, jogging the BRIT and Mercury prizes to showcase artists and supporting songs schooling.

“It can take genuine tenacity to guide an organisation for so very long through immediate digital disruption – we would like Geoff the incredibly most effective and thank him for his tireless advocacy for British audio.” 

“Geoff has been a highly effective advocate for our sector and has often created absolutely sure the pursuits of independents are promoted at the BPI.”

Jamie Oborne, Filthy Strike

Jamie Oborne, founder and MD at Filthy Strike, reported: “Geoff has been a powerful advocate for our sector and has always made positive the interests of independents are promoted at the BPI.

“We’ve noticed the advantages at Dirty Strike, with our artists successful MEGS export funding and gaining considerable profile through the Mercury Prize and The BRITs.

“The BPI’s totally free coaching and international aid for indies have also expanded massively. We’re extremely unhappy to see him depart but know he‘ll proceed to make a huge contribution to the organization.”

“He has created a major contribution to our field, for which we are massively grateful, and we want him all the pretty most effective for when he sets off in his new route next yr.”

David Joseph CBE, Universal Tunes British isles

David Joseph CBE, Chairman and CEO of Universal Songs Uk, explained: “Geoff’s calm leadership, perception and devoted operate in assistance of labels suitable across the country as effectively as the BRIT Belief have been constants in a period of huge adjust for the new music company.

“He has produced a sizeable contribution to our industry, for which we are vastly grateful, and we wish him all the incredibly most effective for when he sets off in his new route future yr.”

“Geoff will for good be aspect of the BPI relatives. He will go away a great legacy with many remarkable achievements and a sturdy workforce in position.”

YolanDa Brown, BPI

YolanDa Brown, new Chair of BPI, explained: “Geoff will without end be section of the BPI family. He will go away a great legacy with numerous exceptional achievements and a solid team in area.

“I am grateful that he is staying with us to be certain a smooth changeover and wish him all the ideal on his onward journey. I know we will delight in our time operating to assure the future accomplishment of the BPI.”New music Business enterprise All over the world