Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the organisation headed by Alison Wenham that represents the interests of the global independent music community, has appointed Beggars Group Founder and Chairman Martin Mills to the position of non-executive Chair.
London-based Beggars Group is one of the biggest independent record companies in the world, representing labels such as XL Recordings, Rough Trade, Matador, 4AD and Young Turks.
Mills recently stepped down from the Chair’s position at Merlin, where he remains a board member, and he is also on the board of IMPALA, AIM and A2IM.
Originally launched in 2006, WIN became a standalone trade association in 2016 in response to business, creative and market opportunities and challenges faced by the independent sector across the world.
Alison Wenham, CEO of WIN said, “Martin Mills has been a hugely respected and influential champion of the independent music community for decades and WIN is delighted to announce his Chair. He will be a powerful advocate and will play a vital role in ensuring that we speak with one clear, collective voice while safeguarding the interests of members as we move forward in an ever more competitive commercial market.”
“I’m honoured to be chosen as WIN’s first Chair. Independents have needed a global voice in a globalised market, as they have benefited from strong local voices as local remains as important as ever.”
Martin Mills (pictured)
Martin Mills said, “I’m honoured to be chosen as WIN’s first Chair. Independents have needed a global voice in a globalised market, as they have benefited from strong local voices as local remains as important as ever. I am confident that Alison and her team will bring a co-ordinated, informed, strong and leading presence to worldwide issues, and ensure that independent interests are not just well represented, but also at the forefront of determining our collective futures.”
WIN aims to ‘gather intelligence so that its members have a global overview of the key issues affecting the independent sector’, in addition to ‘promoting the rich cultural and commercial importance of the sector and strives to maintain a level commercial playing field and a pro-competitive environment’.
The organization commissions and publishes the annual WINTEL market report.
The most recent report, published in October 2017 found that independent record labels represented 38.4% of global recorded music market share measured at copyright level, with global revenues in excess of $6bn.Music Business Worldwide
