AIM Connected leans into disruption with conference line-up including Fairly Trained, Exceleration, Murmur and Young

21 August 2025 - Press release

Takes place 9 September at Rich Mix in East London, 09:30 — 19:00 BST

CEO Gee Davy in ‘fireside chat’ with Fairly Trained’s Ed Newton-Rex on how music can best leverage its position with AI

Other speakers from AudioSalad, Domino, LIVE, Luminate, Ninja Tune, Punch Records, Republic of Music

Tickets available here, once again offering additional discounts for AIM members outside London

 

The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has released the full programme for 2025’s AIM Connected, its flagship music conference and networking event aimed at a global audience of founders, leaders, strategists and entrepreneurs across the independent music sector and beyond. 

Taking place at new location, East London’s Rich Mix, on Tuesday 9th September, the conference will feature a keynote 'fireside chat’ between AIM CEO Gee Davy and outspoken AI commentator EdNewton-Rex. Founder and CEO of ethical AI non-profit, Fairly Trained, Newton-Rex is a vocal advocate for responsible data training practices and copyright protection for artists and music rightsholders, as well as being an experienced entrepreneur and composer. He is the winner of a Cannes Lion Innovator Award for his AI composition startup Jukedeck (since acquired by Bytedance), and previously led Bytedance’s AI Music lab and the Audio Team at Stability AI. Recently, he has been a key figure in the ongoing Make It Fair campaign around generative AI in the UK. This will be a must-attend session for anyone interested in ethical AI development and the future of the industry.

Leading music industry figures speaking this year include Luminate VP/GM of International Adrian Sarosi with a data-driven deep dive on the market, Young COO Chloë Robertsspeaking on business leadership, Exceleration Music Partner (and former Merlin CEO) Charles Caldas and AudioSalad Co-founder and CEO Iain Catling on how independents can face the current market disruption,and President of Netherlands independent association STOMPKees Van Weijen on how governments can best support music.Also speaking are Republic of Music Head of Digital Distribution Naomi Bressani, PPL Head of International Chloe Rowlatt, Ninja Tune Global Digital Strategy & Operations Lead Andy Belmont, Domino Senior Manager for Digital Operations and Technology Phoebe Petridis, and AudioSalad Customer Success Manager Pip Antenbrink.

The event will also feature the return of AIM Connected’s popular ‘Strong Opinion’ mini-keynotes throughout the day, with leading experts speaking on a range of key issues. These include Murmur MD Fanny Calderon the power of collective climate action, Punch Records Founder and Chair of UK Music's Diversity Taskforce Ammo Talwar on the power of both diversity and the Midlands scene, and LIVE CEO Jon Collins setting out key issues for the live sector.

Further highlights include expert discussion on the latest developments in the international neighbouring rights landscape, expert-led guidance on label operation in 2025, breaking down barriers to support the next generation of music professionals across the UK, and insider knowledge on the highs and lows of scaling music businesses from award-winning independent music executives.

Attendees can maximise the opportunity to make professional connections at the event with the ability to pre-book one-on-one networking sessions running throughout the day. There will also be open networking throughout lunch and during a closing drinks reception sponsored by AudioSalad.  

Subsidised entry is available to all members of AIM, as well as various UK and international trade and community organisations. Once again, AIM is offering an additional discount to its non-London based rightsholder and distributor members in recognition of the additional costs of attending a conference in London for those in other regions and nations of the UK, plus bursary places to address other barriers to entry to the industry. 

AIM’s CEO Gee Davy commented: “This year’s AIM Connected comes at a time of disruption on many fronts and we have responded by assembling an array of expertise and experience to give vital intel, insider guidance, and big thinking points across the many key challenges and opportunities; not just for independents but for the whole music sector. The conference continues to be a must-attend event to gain essential knowledge across the strands which together drive music entrepreneurship: business, technology and people; to meet new business partners, and to face today’s challenges and create success.”

AIM would like to thank its event partners and sponsors AudioSalad, Merlin and Amazon Music who have helped to make this conference possible.

You can find full information and buy tickets here. To inquire about subsidised tickets, please contact info@aim.org.uk