Hipgnosis Song Management (HSM) new appointments

Hipgnosis Song Management (HSM) is pleased to announce the appointments of Daniel Pounder and Jonathan Baker to two significant roles in its executive leadership. Daniel Pounder has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and concurrently Jonathan Baker has been appointed to the newly created role of General Counsel.

Dan will oversee the Finance and Investment functions for HSM and the teams that deliver these services to Hipgnosis Songs Fund and Hipgnosis Songs Capital.

Dan has over two decades’ experience in accountancy and music finance, including senior executive roles at BMG, Viacom, Famous Music and Sony Music Publishing.

Dan completed his accountancy training with Deloitte and was admitted into the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 2003. He was subsequently admitted as a Fellow in 2013.

Chris Helm, Chief Financial Officer on behalf of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited since its launch in 2018 will be leaving in order to launch a new business of his own early next year. Working closely with Dan, Chris will complete a hand over of his responsibilities by the end of the year.

Jon Baker will be responsible for overseeing the legal aspects of the catalogue acquisitions and day- to-day music legal and business affairs carried out on behalf of Hipgnosis Songs Fund and Hipgnosis Songs Capital. Jon will also be responsible for governance and compliance matters for Hipgnosis and supporting HSM’s fund clients in this regard too. He will also work closely with Hipgnosis’ outside counsel including Bill Leibowitz.

Jon has almost 20 years of legal experience, including over a decade focused on the music industry across both publishing and recorded music rights. He joins from BMG, where he has been General Counsel UK and EVP Legal and Business Affairs International. Prior to joining BMG in 2012, he worked at Simkins, the highly regarded media and entertainment firm. Jon studied law at the University of Warwick.

Commenting on the appointments, Merck Mercuriadis CEO and founder of Hipgnosis Song Management Limited said:

“It is always a priority for me to continually strengthen our executive leadership team to ensure we have the best institutional investment, finance and music capabilities and experience to deliver the next stage of development for Hipgnosis and our funds.

“This was the case starting with the appointment of Ben Katovsky as President and Chief Operating Officer one year ago and we’re delighted to welcome Dan and Jon to round out this process, particularly as this group of leaders have a proven successful chemistry of working together.

“Dan’s extensive experience and expertise in global music finance, ability to leverage data and technology and proven track record in supporting and enabling growing businesses will be of significant value to HSM and our fund clients as we work to further institutionalise the reporting and rigour of the song asset class.

“Likewise, Jon’s experience and expertise in global music legal affairs will support our funds while allowing us to prioritise responsible governance and compliance for Hipgnosis.”

Commenting on the appointments, Ben Katovsky President and Chief Operating Officer of Hipgnosis Song Management Limited said:

“I’m delighted to be working with Jon and Dan again.

“Both are exceptional executives who have a proven and highly successful track record in music acquisition, efficiently and effectively growing music businesses and ensuring that music catalogues enjoy the lasting success that they warrant and deserve.

“To be able to tap into Dan and Jon’s expertise and experience will be invaluable to HSM as we seek to deliver exceptional service to our fund clients.”