Imogen Heap and Katie Melua Join FAC Board, BEAT Board Launched

13 January 2016 - Press release

The artist rights organisation, Featured Artists Coalition, has announced that both Imogen Heap and Katie Melua have been added to the board of directors. They join Sandie Shaw, Ed O’Brien, Nick Mason, Annie Lennox, Fran Healy and Kate Nash among others on the artist-only board.

The additions come at a critical time for the FAC, with CEO, Paul Pacifico, now a year in the post, announcing a four-pillar proposal for the European Copyright Review, which is well under way. Transparency through the value chain, duty of care, a fair share of value and the appropriate transition of remuneration rights may yet ensure that creators are protected as the law considers the impact that digital disruption has had on the music industry.

Heap said; “It’s fantastic to be invited in to help shape the bright future of our music industry with the FAC gang and hopefully add to their great work! It’s the first time in a long time I’ve been positive about the future of our industry and I completely and whole heartedly believe a revolution is upon us.” 

Melua said; "It's great to be joining the FAC board, the music industry has long been needing an organisation like this. In my introduction to the FAC I can see that there is so much experienced knowledge and care in this community, which is there to be shared. If a young artist doesn't know where to find an impartial support system, the FAC can provide the advice and education that can greatly benefit them and the long term creative work also.”

As part of this support system, the FAC has launched a board for Breakthrough and Emerging Artists Together (BEAT), which consists of a number of featured artists from around the UK. The board will represent the voices of many working musicians, from those recording their first EP, to those performing their first arena tour and will inform the FAC’s 2016 education programme and policies.

The founding members of the BEAT board include Jeremy Pritchard (Everything Everything), Justin Gartry (Bella Figura), Rotimo Soul, Tomer Danan (Treetop Flyers) Roxanne de Bastion, Niall James Holohan (aka Nibbinz) and Jack Gourlay (The Night VI) among others.

Jeremy Pritchard said; "In such a transitional and fast-moving period for music, every sector of the industry wants to voice their concerns. Despite being the lifeblood and raisin d'être of the business, the artist's interests are too often lost in the noise, and the voice of emerging artists specifically is the most overlooked. 

What I hope to do by joining the BEAT board is ensure that artists who are only just breaking through are both fairly represented in the ongoing debate, and are fully equipped for what lies ahead."

CEO of the FAC, Paul Pacifico said, “The FAC is excited to welcome both Imogen and Katie onto our board.  Their support, knowledge and energy further strengthen our organisation at this critical time of change for artists in the music industry.  Our 5,000 strong membership represented by the main board and now also the new BEAT board clearly demonstrate the need and desire for artists to stand up and be counted in the ongoing evolution to a better and more transparent music industry for the 21st Century with the artist-fan relationship at its heart.”