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Ged Doherty named new BPI Chairman

By Andy Malt | Published on Friday 12 December 2014

The BPI has announced former Sony Music UK CEO Ged Doherty as the replacement for Tony Wadsworth as its Chairman.

There was a time when BPI chairs were generally jobbing label execs, but Wadsworth set a new precedent when he left EMI while remaining in his role at the label trade group. Seemingly it worked and a precedent has now been set that chairs should be semi-retired ex-execs with nothing else better to do. I’m joking, of course. You guys are super great.

And anyway, Doherty’s had loads on, actually. After leaving Sony Music in 2011, he founded film company Raindog Films with Colin Firth, became chairman of ‘interactive music games company’ (no idea) FOAM, and is a partner and shareholder at artist management firm Major Influence.

That latter role – ie having some insight into artist management – is a definite plus for someone inputting into the record company community, given the changing label/artist/management relationship that’s going on all over the place. And if the BPI ever needs an interactive music game, it’ll be sorted.

Announcing his new position at the BPI, Doherty said: “I started out in music when I was sixteen years old playing in bands in Manchester, a lot has happened since then and I hope some of what I’ve learnt along the way may be of some use in this role. I am honoured and humbled to be following on from Tony, who has been an incredible figurehead for the BPI. I am very much looking forward to working with Geoff [Taylor] and his team, Mike [Batt] and the BPI Council, and, of course, all the BPI members”.

And I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking that quote was nice and all, but it was a bit too short. Well, lucky for you, here’s Tony Wadsworth, with his final quote for the BPI, which he’s made the most of, so you should too: “It’s a pleasure to congratulate Ged Doherty on taking over the BPI chair in the new year. I know Ged has all the attributes to do this job well, and I hope he enjoys his time as Chairman as much as I have”.

He continues: “I feel immensely privileged to have had the opportunity of chairing the organisation for the past seven years, and hope that my passionate belief in music, the industry and the value of record labels has helped to make a contribution to the future of our music business”.

And continues: “Thanks to everyone I have worked with over the years at the BPI – colleagues, Council members and to the many people in the industry who serve on the various committees and working parties. Special thanks go to my Deputy Chairman, Mike Batt and CEO Geoff Taylor – we have developed a close-knit and productive relationship and I have learnt a lot from both of them”.

And continues: “I am not retiring, just recalibrating… and will continue to be involved in a variety of areas of our industry for as long as they will have me!”

Had enough? Of course not. Here’s BPI CEO Geoff Taylor, who says: “Tony is a very hard act to follow and he leaves with our profound thanks and best wishes, but I am delighted that in Ged we have one of the few heavyweight executives who could take on this important role”.

And says: “Like Tony, Ged has an outstanding track record working with labels and artists. His breadth of experience and knowledge will help us build on the strong legacy Tony leaves behind as our sector continues to transition successfully to new formats”.

And says: “I know that everyone at the BPI and on the Council will want to join me in welcoming Ged and to wish him well as our new Chairman – we are all looking forward to working with him”.

Oh, and here’s Deputy Chairman Mike Batt: “I have worked alongside Tony as his Deputy Chairman for seven years, and in that time have come to respect enormously his particular blend of bonhomie and seriousness of purpose. We’ve been a good team, I think, with Geoff driving it all along. I’m delighted that Ged has joined as our new Chairman. I have the highest regard for him both personally and professionally, and I look forward to working together with him”.

Well, that’s all nice. But what is the consensus of the BPI Council? Well, here’s BPI Council member Korda Marshall: “Tony has been a wonderful Chairman for the BPI, and I am sure my fellow Council members will want to join me in thanking him for his dedication and for the guidance and support he has given us at a time of great transformation in our industry. We are delighted to welcome Ged to the helm as we continue our journey into an exciting new streaming-led era, with all the possibilities this offers”.

I’ll tell you what I’d really like to know though. I’d really like to know what Calvin Harris’s manager Mark Gillespie thinks of all this. Mark? “We worked incredibly closely with Ged when he ran Sony Music. His love of music and understanding of artists always sat at the core of our relationship together, something that will be a huge benefit to the BPI in his new role”.

Thanks Mark. But Calvin Harris is hardly Sony’s biggest artist, is he? We should really have got someone who works with One Direction to comment. And oh look, there’s 1D’s manager, Richard Griffiths. OK, Rich, you can say something, but make it quick: “Ged is the perfect person to take over from Tony as his knowledge of how the business works and his relationships all across the spectrum of music will be invaluable to the BPI”.

Great, thanks guys. Although you were all talking so long, I think we might have missed Christmas.