Ged Doherty appointed BPI Chairman

11 December 2014 - Press release

Former Sony UK Chairman & CEO to take over from Tony Wadsworth CBE on 1 January 2015

The BPI is delighted to announce that Ged Doherty has been appointed Chairman of the BPI and BRIT Awards Limited with effect from 1 January 2015.

Ged Doherty will take over from Tony Wadsworth CBE, who announced in March that he would step down towards the end of 2014 after seven years in the role (see Notes to Editors).

Ged will bring with him a wealth of knowledge and experience.  As the former Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK, he has worked at the highest level in music and entertainment globally, building extensive creative relationships to oversee and support the development of a diverse and successful artist roster.

Following Ged’s departure from Sony Music in 2011, he co-founded Raindog Films Ltd, a new British film production company, with Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth.  He has just spent 5 months in South Africa shooting their first feature film 'Eye In The Sky' starring Helen Mirren, Arron Paul, Alan Rickman, Barkhad Abdi and directed by Oscar-winner Gavin Hood.  He is also Chairman of FOAM, an Interactive Music games company, and is a partner and shareholder in artist management company Major Influence.

Ged’s career began in artist management in the 1980’s, where his acts sold 20 million records, paving the way in 1992 for him to take on the position of Head of International Marketing at Epic Records in New York, where he was responsible for the global marketing campaigns of superstar acts including Michael Jackson. In 1996 he was appointed Managing Director of Columbia Records in London, working with their legendary roster.  Ged moved to the BMG label group in 1999 where he met Simon Cowell, leading to a long and productive working relationship that saw him become closely involved with the X-Factor and Got Talent TV shows and with the many finalists who went on to develop successful recording careers.

Being an integral part of the merger of BMG and Sony Music in 2004, Ged Doherty took over the position of Chairman in 2006, working with artists as diverse as Dido, Kings of Leon, Calvin Harris, Beyoncé, Kasabian and Foo Fighters.  In 2009, he was instrumental in putting together the new global joint venture between Sony and Simon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment. The deal created a long-term global venture to focus on the production and exploitation of music, television, film and digital content. During this time Ged was also Chairman of the BRIT Awards from 2008 to 2010.

New BPI and BRIT Awards Chairman, Ged Doherty, said:

“I started out in music when I was 16 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 and his team, Mike and the BPI Council, and, of course, all the BPI members.”

Departing BPI and BRIT Awards Chairman, Tony Wadsworth CBE, said:  “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.

“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.

“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.

“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!”

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI and BRIT Awards, said:  “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. 

“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.  

“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.”  

Ged Doherty’s appointment as BPI Chairman has been welcomed by a wide range of senior Industry figures:

BPI Deputy Chairman, Mike Batt LVO, who will continue in this role to work alongside Ged Doherty, said:     “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.”

BPI Council member Korda Marshall, and Chairman of Infectious Music, said:  “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 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.”

Calvin Harris’s manager Mark Gillespie, CEO Three Six Zero, said:  “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.”  

One Direction’s manager Richard Griffiths, Modest Management, said:  “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.”