Trade organization UK Music has appointed politician and former shadow cabinet member Michael Dugher as its next chief executive. Dugher will be only the third person to lead UK Music since it launched in 2008, and replaces Jo Dipple, who announced in January she would step down after five years in the role.
Dugher has been a Labour MP since 2010 and is a former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. He announced earlier this month that he would not seek to retain his seat in the House of Commons in the upcoming general election.
UK Music lobbies national and local governments regarding copyright, secondary ticketing and other issues important to its members, including the Association of Independent Music (AIM), British Phonographic Industry (BPI), Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) and PRS for Music, among others.
In a statement, Dugher mentioned protecting live venues, safeguarding intellectual property and ensuring a smooth transition for the industry during the ongoing Brexit process.
"I'm thrilled to have been appointed chief executive of UK Music. I have engaged with the organisation for several years and have seen it go from strength to strength thanks to its board, chairman Andy Heath and previous CEOs Feargal Sharkey and Jo Dipple. There is a great team at UK Music who do brilliant work and I'm really looking forward to working with them.
British music is a world-beating industry which brings huge economic benefits for our country. I am determined to work with all the individual members of UK Music -- on the business and creator side -- to ensure our industry is protected during the Brexit process and that we continue to thrive.
Safeguarding intellectual property, protecting venues, promoting new opportunities and broadening diversity in the sector are all central to our work at UK Music.
Music has been a lifelong passion for me and I'm looking forward to helping make a real difference as UK Music's new chief executive."
UK Music chairman Andy Heath called Dugher a "dynamic choice" with a "proven track record as a powerful supporter of British Music" and praised his predecessor, Dipple, as a "tireless champion for the music sector."
