WARNER/CHAPPELL UK APPOINTS JO SMITH AS DIRECTOR, LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS

06 February 2014 - Press release

Warner/Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, today announced the appointment of Jo Smith as Director, Legal and Business Affairs, Warner/Chappell Music UK. Smith, who joins from Sony/ATV, will report to Richard Manners, Managing Director, Warner/Chappell Music UK and Chris Ancliff, General Counsel, International, Warner Music Group. She will take responsibility for leading the Warner/Chappell UK legal team, negotiating the terms of publishing, PEDL and licensing deals across Europe, as well as providing legal advice on new commercial and digital uses of music. 

Richard Manners said, "I am thrilled Jo is joining Warner/Chappell at such an exciting time for us and our writers. She is known throughout the industry for her pioneering approach and strategic thinking, as well as her impressive negotiation skills. With Jo heading our legal and business affairs I am confident that we will continue to secure successful partnerships with world-class songwriters and provide them with a dynamic service that maximises revenue generating opportunities for their compositions." 

Chris Ancliff said, "Jo is a very experienced music publishing lawyer and I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work with her again. Her appointment reflects our commitment to building the strongest legal team in the business." 

Jo Smith said, "I am delighted to be working with Richard, Chris and the rest of the team. The publishing industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace and I look forward to working on innovative new deals and to being part of Warner/Chappell's exciting future." 

Smith joins Warner/Chappell in April from Sony/ATV, where she has worked as Director of Legal & Business Affairs since January 2012. Previously she spent six years at EMI Publishing as VP, Legal & Business Affairs, during which time she managed business agreements in Continental Europe. Between 2003 and 2006 Smith occupied consultancy roles at Warner/Chappell and Island Records. She qualified as a lawyer in 1998 at Russells Solicitors and worked there for six years for both recorded music and publisher clients.