The British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) has announced that Chief Executive Officer Vick Bain is stepping down.

In her thirteen years at BASCA Vick held several positions before being appointed CEO in 2012. 

Following a period of serious ill-health earlier this year, from which she has now fully recovered,  Vick has decided to move on from BASCA in order to pursue new goals.  

During her tenure Vick led the organisation through a major modernisation programme and recently oversaw an extensive structural review with the subsequent implementation of new governance procedures. 

Vick provided real commitment and leadership to ensure BASCA’s flagship award ceremonies - The Ivors, The Gold Badge Awards and The British Composer Awards - continued to build on their industry-wide reputation for integrity and prestige. In addition, wherever possible she introduced new events and added value benefits for members.

Vick was instrumental in establishing an innovative partnership network with universities across the UK and has been a vocal advocate for increased inclusivity and diversity issues within the music industry. She also built and strengthened relationships with music industry umbrella organisations including UK Music and the British Copyright Council and helped launch The Council of Music Makers.  

BASCA has always been a campaigning organisation and under Vick’s leadership has forged strong relationships with MPs from across the political spectrum in the All Party Parliamentary Group for Music. Vick also achieved a high level of profile and respect in the music industry for her campaigning work and position on issues affecting songwriters and composers; gaining front page press splashes for her campaigns on digital music, songwriter credits and diversity. In 2015 Vick helped creators win a copyright tribunal at the High Court which overturned an exception to copyright that was going to be damaging to the UK Music industry and beyond; known as BASCA vs BIS it was the first time BASCA had been involved in a judicial review.  

She also reinvigorated The BASCA Trust, which had lain dormant for almost two decades by bringing in new trustees, additional resources and a partnership with the PRS Foundation, which allowed the distribution of bursaries to dozens of songwriters and composers alongside a program of educational and inspirational events.  

In recognition of her work Vick was inducted onto the Music Week Women in Music Roll of Honour in 2017 and featured in the BBC Radio 4 2018 Woman’s Hour ‘Power List.’ 

Vick said, “I have endured a difficult year, overcoming breast cancer and other related conditions. I have now officially received the all-clear and am feeling fighting fit but after experiencing a life-threatening condition and reviewing my priorities I feel the time is right to hand-over the reins to someone else, and focus on other ambitions, of which I have many. It has been a great honour to serve and lead BASCA for so long and I wish the organisation, our fantastic members, and my wonderful colleagues all the very best for the future”.