Peer to leave UK Music board after work to ‘steer sector’ through pandemic

Advocacy body UK Music will say goodbye to Lord TOM WATSON after six years as chair.

Watson has overseen the organisation’s board of trustees since April of 2020, pledging to help the industry recover after the impact of Covid-19 restrictions.

The former government minister and Shadow Culture Secretary will step down in the spring of next year, with UK Music chief executive TOM KIEHL calling him an “outstanding ambassador” for the industry.

Kiehl commented: “Using his immense knowledge of Westminster and Whitehall, he helped steer the sector through the choppiest of waters during Covid and was instrumental in securing vital financial support for the music industry.

“He should be incredibly proud of all he has achieved and I would like to personally thank him for all the support and advice he has offered me during the past five years, as well as for the guidance to my predecessor JAMIE NJOKU-GOODWIN and the rest of the UK Music executive team.

“I know he will continue to be a valued friend and supporter of the industry and am sure we will continue to see him at gigs for many years to come.”

Watson said it had been “an absolute pleasure to work with a board of industry professionals”.

“To my successor, whoever she or he may be, I can say that no day will be the same but every day will be a joy,” he said.

Watson added: “The challenges remain clear: ensure a copyright settlement for creators is fair for the digital age, embed creativity in our education system, boost growth and exports, and make real progress on touring in the EU. Music is one of Britain’s greatest national assets. Helping to protect and promote it through the toughest of times has been a privilege.”