UK-based Funnel Music has appointed respected industry figure Alison Wenham as Non-Executive Director.
Wenham, who co-founded both The Association of independent Music (AIM) and Worldwide independent Network (WIN) and served as CEO at both organizations for two decades will join the main board at Funnel Music.
The board already includes CEO Tim Delaney, former V2 Records Managing Director David Steele – who is also Director of Artist Management for the company – and Funnel Music COO Joss Yerbury, previously Senior Label Manager at InGrooves.
They are supported by Music Glue Founder Mark Meharry and former President of Sony Music International Rick Dobbis & Joe Romulus, both of whom are based in the US .
As well as having a fiduciary and governance remit, Wenham will help develop a strategy for Funnel Music to build relationships with the global independent music community.
“To have such a universally respected music industry figure as Alison join our board is a major coup for Funnel Music.”
Ric Yerbury, Funnel Music
Funnel Music was founded by music industry veterans Ric Yerbury (pictured right) and Alex Pilkington to address the need for longer term artist development and the creation of sustainable careers.
Their business model is based around a ‘Shared Outcome Agreement’, which incorporates key elements of rights holding music companies and artist services offerings.
Professionals who commit to early stage acts through this model can participate in future projects regardless of whether they are directly involved or not.
The company says that this helps reduce costs associated with early stage development “without compromising access to quality services, experience and expertise”.
“I am excited about joining a company and a board that already has expertise & experience in abundance and looking forward to helping further develop their global strategy.”
Alison Wenham
Alison Wenham (pictured left) said: “Since stepping down from my full-time role at WIN last December I have had an opportunity to properly reflect on what the music industry is evolving into.
“The old models that, in a lot of cases, have traditionally seen artists treated like second class citizens are becoming obsolete , particularly in the independent music community which has always led the way in innovation, and there is a definite shift towards more equitable , partnership-based agreements.
“I was intrigued and inspired by Funnel Music’s ‘Shared Outcome Agreement’ approach , which seemed to me a very pragmatic and ,importantly, fair way of working with artists .
“I am excited about joining a company and a board that already has expertise & experience in abundance and looking forward to helping further develop their global strategy.”
Ric Yerbury, co-founder and Executive Chairman of Funnel Music, added: “To have such a universally respected music industry figure as Alison join our board is a major coup for Funnel Music.
“As well as her experience of running high profile organisations such as AIM and WIN her unique understanding of and relationships with the global independent music community will give us an amazing insight into this sector.”Music Business Worldwide
