One of the best-known figures of the UK music industry, Jon ‘Webbo’ Webster, is likely to step down as CEO of the Music Managers Forum (MMF).
According to job ads posted this week, the MMF is seeking a new CEO with ‘strong organisational, personal, financial skills for UK trade association with international reach’.
The trade body requires ‘strong leadership needed in a fast changing dynamic creative industry’, says ‘trade association experience welcome’ and adds that ‘IP knowledge is a distinct asset’.
The annual salary for the role is listed at £50-£65k.
Webster told MBW this morning that the ad doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll definitely be departing his CEO role, and that’s he’s involved in the process to find his potential successor.
“IF we find someone suitable I will be gradually handing over and taking a backseat role,” he said. “Not leaving yet!”
“If we find someone suitable I will be gradually handing over and taking a backseat role.”
Jon webster, MMF
Webster became CEO of the Music Managers Forum in 2007, after two-and-a-half years as Director Of Independent Services at the BPI.
Many people will remember the large chunk of his career spent at Virgin – first in retail from 1975 and then at Virgin Records from 1981, where he played a key role in devising the Now! compilations series.
He was appointed MD of Virgin Records in 1988 under Richard Branson.
Following EMI’s purchase of Virgin in 1992 he set up his own company, and worked with Virgin acts (Genesis, Peter Gabriel, UB40, Mike and the Mechanics) plus Baby Bird, Die Toten Hosen and Erasure.
In 1992 he founded the Mercury Music Prize.
From 2000 he moved into management with D*Note and Francis Dunnery (former singer with It Bites) setting up the internet sales label Aquarian Nation (www.aquariannation.com).Music Business Worldwide
