Specialist music investment platform Round Hill Music further strengthens executive team with two strategic hires 14 Mar 2025
Round Hill Music Royalty Partners LP (“Round Hill Music” or the “Company”), the pioneering private equity platform founded in 2010 that currently manages a c.US$900 million portfolio of music rights, has appointed Jeff Bunder as Global Chief Financial Officer and James King as Chief Capital Officer. The newly created positions further strengthen Round Hill’s executive team against the backdrop of a continuing expansion of the music rights market and increasing appetite among global investors for exposure to its consistent stream of revenues and capital appreciation potential.
Jeff Bunder, based in Nashville, has close to 40 years of private equity experience, having held key leadership positions over his 30 years at EY, including capping his long career at the firm as Global Private Equity Leader. He was one of the founding members of the Transaction Advisory Services practice and has worked on hundreds of transactions throughout his career. Jeff previously served as a Partner & CFO at Lindsay Goldberg, a middle-market private equity firm based in New York City, where he served on the valuation and investment committees and supported numerous portfolio companies in their post-acquisition periods. Most recently, he was at Edgelight Capital where Jeff was Partner & CFO of the Telecom-focused investment platform. Jeff has extensive experience in executing both private equity and strategic transactions, as well as supporting acquired companies in achieving their operational and growth objectives. As Global CFO at Round Hill Music, Jeff will oversee the Company's finance, accounting, tax, valuation and investor relations functions and support its financial strategy, capital management and fund performance. He will also serve on the management, investment and valuation committees.
James King, based in London, joins Round Hill Music from the investment bank Cavendish, where he led the Investment Companies division, advising alternative asset investment funds on capital raising, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions and restructuring. James was the lead advisor on Round Hill Music Royalty Fund’s successful IPO on the London Stock Exchange, subsequent catalogue acquisitions, capital raises and sale in October 2023. While at Vodacom, prior to joining Cavendish, James led and successfully implemented the largest TMT broad based black economic empowerment transaction in South African history, a c.R16.4 billion preference share and debt-funded deal. With over 25 years of corporate finance and private equity experience across the UK, Europe and Africa, James will focus on expanding Round Hill’s investor base in the United Kingdom and Europe and execute on the capital formation strategy aligned with the Company’s music catalog acquisition and growth objectives. He will be working closely with Chief of Investor Relations and Business Development, Katie Kowinski, who joined the firm in late 2024.
Josh Gruss, Founder and CEO at Round Hill Music said: “As the momentum in the music industry continues to build, investor interest in music rights is stronger than ever; we are well primed to respond to this as we embark on the next phase of our strategic journey at Round Hill. By welcoming executives of Jeff and James’s caliber we are elevating the institutional strength of our team, not only gaining access to their impressive expertise and experience, but also underlining our long-term conviction in the incredible investment potential of music and our unwavering ambition to remain at the forefront of its evolution.”
Jeff Bunder, Global CFO, added: “Round Hill, under Josh’s leadership, has built a strong reputation as an investment firm leader in acquiring and exploiting music IP rights. The team has generated a notable track record, having built out a platform that sets it apart from many of its peers. It’s an exciting time for music royalties in its emergence as an attractive investment class. I’m looking forward to helping achieve the growth objectives of this business and to assisting Round Hill in fulfilling its strategic ambitions.” 
James King, Chief Capital Officer, said: “Over the past five years, I have had the privilege of working closely with the Round Hill team and have been continually impressed by their deep expertise and passion for this unique sector. As we pursue strategic capital markets opportunities and seek to expand our investor base in the United Kingdom and Europe, I look forward to leveraging my experience within the team to identify new avenues for growth and deliver exceptional value to our investors.”
Backed by a strong investor base, Round Hill has one of the longest track records in music catalog investment, having successfully raised and deployed more than $1.1 billion since inception. Its fully integrated asset management and music IP management platform sets it apart, giving Round Hill complete oversight of portfolio investments and an in-house team of music industry experts across the entertainment epicenters of London, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York. This team actively manages Round Hill’s catalogs to maximize income streams and optimize their value.
The US$469 million sale of the Round Hill Music Royalty Fund portfolio in October 2023 marked a second successful exit opportunity for investors who had participated in Round Hill Fund I, originally launched in 2011. Today, Round Hill owns and manages a c.US$900 million portfolio across a series of funds comprising over 200,000 songs performed by time-tested and iconic artists including Whitney Houston, Bruno Mars, Chaka Khan, Morgan Wallen, Goo Goo Dolls, Bryan Adams, Matchbox Twenty, The Killers, Meat Loaf, Madonna and many more.
NEWS & PRESS
Christmas break 2025 - News
News from the break will appear here from 20 December to 4 January. ————————————————————BUSINESS James Steven, Warner Music Group‘s longtime chief communications officer and executive vice president is stepping down from his post. He is thought to be taking on a similar...more
Universal Music Group and Roblox announce strategic agreement to expand creative and commercial music experiences on the platform for artists, labels and fans
Roblox will collaborate with UMG to introduce industry-leading integrations on the platform to music fans and Roblox users globally Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment and Roblox, an immersive gaming and creation platform, today announced a new strategic agreement...more
6 exceptional collaborative new music projects supported to tour across the UK and Republic of Ireland through PRS Foundation's Beyond Borders
PRS Foundation, together with Creative Scotland, Arts Council of Wales, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Arts Council of Ireland announce the UK and Ireland-based organisations, music groups and composers that will receive funding through the co-commissioning and touring programme Beyond Borders. The...more
PRS for Music and IPRS announce groundbreaking new licensing model to launch Apple Fitness+ in India
PRS for Music and the Indian Performing Right Society (IPRS) have today announced a landmark new licensing model to support the launch of Apple Fitness+ in India. The new initiative marks a significant step forward in how digital music rights are...more
North East Music Leader Named On Influential Government Creative Council
Generator CEO will sit among leading figures from film, TV, design and other creative sectors to champion regional music industry The leader of a North East headquartered music development organisation has been named on an influential Government-led body charged with developing...more
‘The Numbers No Longer Add Up’: Half of Night Time Venues Face 50%+ Business Rate Rises as 2026 Operating Costs Become Unsustainable
Britain’s nightclubs, live music venues, and late-night entertainment spaces are warning that 2026 will bring unsustainable operating costs, with nearly half of venues expecting business rates to rise by 50% or more, according to a flash poll of 345 nightlife business operators. Rising rates...more
Universal Music Group and Splice to Collaborate on the Next Generation of AI-powered Music Creation Tools for Artists
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and Splice, the world's most popular music creation platform, have agreed to collaborate on joint exploration of the next generation of AI-powered music creation tools for musical artists. UMG and Splice are...more
Global Nightlife Leaders from Over 30 Countries Converge on Liverpool for Night Time Economy Summit 2026
Liverpool will take centre stage in the global nightlife conversation as night-time economy leaders from more than 30 countries converge on the city for the Night-Time Economy Summit 2026, taking place on 11th and 12th February 2026. Hosted at Blackstock Market, the two-day Summit...more
European Talent Exchange presents final results 2025
ESNS Alumni make international impact across festivals in 2025 European Talent Exchange proudly presents the final results of 2025, a year in which emerging European artists crossed borders at an exceptional pace. Throughout the year, the programme supported 352 shows by 150...more
Independent music publishers generated €2.7bn in 2024 globally - up 5.1% YoY
The latest edition of IMPF's Global Market View also confirms that the collective global market share of the independent music publishing community held firm at 26.3% in 2024. Independent music publishers generated €2.7bn globally in 2024, representing a 5.1% increase year-on-year. The...more
PPL distributes £54.3 million to 147,000 performers and recording rightsholders bringing payments in 2025 to £277.7 million
PPL is paying £54.3 million to 147,000 performers and recording rightsholders today, either as direct members of PPL or indirectly through other collective management organisations (CMOs), including over 8,500 first time payees. This final distribution of the year also includes...more
Beggars Group
We are pleased to confirm that the shares in the Beggars Group were transferred into a Trust in October 2024. This strategic decision aims to preserve the company's independence and help to ensure continuity over future generations, in the interests...more
France’s music publishing market was up 6% in 2024 to €597 million boosted by strong revenues in Digital, Public Performance and Live
The music publishing market in France has posted record revenues of €597 million in 2024, up 6% compared to 2023, according to the yearly report ‘Focus on Music Publishing in France 2024′, unveiled today by music publishers’ associations CSDEM (pop...more
Bandcamp Fridays in 2025 Deliver Over $19 Million to Independent Artists and Labels, Surpassing Last Year's Total
Final Bandcamp Friday of the Year Was the Strongest of the Year – Driving More Than $3.8 Million in 24 Hours Since Its 2020 Launch, the Initiative Has Routed Over $154 Million Directly to Artists and Labels Bandcamp, the world's largest online music...more
BMG and TikTok expand partnership to advance songwriter recognition and digital rights management
BMG has renewed and expanded its direct music publishing agreement with TikTok, marking the next phase in a partnership focused on evolving digital rights, creating deeper value for songwriters, and supporting continued innovation across the platform. The new agreement strengthens BMG's...more
BPI opens nominations for election of Independent Representatives on its Council
The BPI is holding elections for two independent representative places on its Council BPI Council plays a key role in determining the trade association’s strategy and policy goals Deadline for nominations is 1pm Thursday 15 January 2026, with voting opening in early...more
PRS for Music pays out record £274.9 million in final royalty distributions of 2025
Nearly 400 music creators receive a royalty payment for the first time PRS for Music has announced its largest-ever royalty payout, distributing £274.9 million to rightsholders worldwide. The December distributions mark a 4% increase on last year, cementing its role as...more
Music Venue Trust Announces New Co-Chairs and Expanded Board Governance as Sector Faces Critical Year Ahead
Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents hundreds of UK grassroots music venues (GMVs), has announced key changes to its Board of Trustees as the organisation prepares for the challenges of 2026. Chris Prosser and Jane Beese have been...more
Beatchain deepens emerging market presence with West African launch of WAVVI in partnership with Tom Russell & Y’akoto, Founders of AFROSON1C X
New platform will connect talent from one of the world’s fastest growing music regions with global opportunities Beatchain, the AI-driven A&R, artist and label services platform for the independent music sector, is expanding into West Africa through a collaboration with British...more
Eric Wong promoted to EVP, Recorded Music at Warner Music Group
Esteemed Exec Takes On New Post Alongside His Role As President, East West Records US & President, Warner Music Canada Warner Music Group (WMG) today announced that Eric Wong has been promoted to EVP, Recorded Music at WMG alongside his post as President,...more
Alain Lanceron named Chairman Emeritus of Warner Classics & Erato
NONESUCH RECORDS PRESIDENT DAVID BITHER TO OVERSEE WMG'S CLASSICAL DIVISION MARKUS PETERSEN APPOINTED EVP & GENERAL MANAGER, WARNER CLASSICS Veteran music executive Alain Lanceron has been named Chairman Emeritus of Warner Classics & Erato, effective January 1, 2026. The widely admired leader has worked...more
Boomtown appoints new Managing Director
Boomtown Festival has announced the promotion of Toby Gwazdacz to the newly created role of Managing Director, marking an evolution in the festival’s leadership structure. In his new position, Gwazdacz will work strategically alongside Boomtown co-founders Luke Mitchell and Chris...more
The BRIT Trust announces its beneficiary charities for 2026
Grants totalling more than £30 million have been awarded by the BRIT Trust since its foundation in 1989, supporting causes that share its mission to improve lives through the power of music and the creative arts The BRIT Trust – the principal charity of...more
Cherry Red Records acquires Gull Records, State Records, and Uproar Entertainment
Cherry Red Records is proud to announce the acquisition and representation of three significant and culturally influential catalogues: Gull Records, State Records, and Uproar Entertainment. Each brings a unique catalogue to the Cherry Red roster, expanding the label’s repertoire in...more
New Study Warns Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Rule Is Silencing Southeast Europe’s Music Scene
Read the study here A comprehensive new report entitled Impact Analysis of Spotify’s 1,000-Stream Rule, conducted by ANMIP-BG - IMPALA member and national association representing Bulgarian independent labels - in association with SoAlive Music Conference and Flat Line Collective, has uncovered...more
UK Music Chief Executive response to Government AI & Copyright Statement of Progress
In response to the Government’s Copyright and Artificial Intelligence Statement of Progress published today, UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: “UK Music welcomes the findings from the Government’s AI consultation, which vindicates the position taken by UK Music and the...more
Divo appoints Ashok Parwani as Head Of Music
Strategic Hire Will Accelerate Regional Catalogue Expansion and Strengthen Artist Partnerships in Key South Indian Markets Divo, one of South India's leading digital media and music companies, which is majority owned by Warner Music India, today announced the appointment of Ashok...more
RoEx Announces Studio Pro
Hits 5 Million Track Milestone Audio technology company RoEx has introduced Studio Pro, a premium subscription tier for its Mix Check Studioplatform, marking the release alongside a significant milestone: 5 million tracks enhanced across its suite of AI-driven audio production tools. Studio Pro offers unlimited access to Mastering+...more
[PIAS] Announces Retirement of Nick Hartley, Group Chief Operating Officer & Group Chief Financial Officer
Longstanding Board Director to Step Down after 26 Years [PIAS], one of the world’s leading music groups, has announced the retirement of Nick Hartley, the company’s Group Chief Operating Officer (COO) & Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO). After a distinguished career spanning...more
Nile Rodgers honoured with Outstanding Achievement Award at 65th MPA Christmas lunch
Iconic CHIC co-founder and global hitmaker recognised for five decades of musical innovation as the MPA celebrates a Disco-themed 2025 Christmas Lunch The Music Publishers Association (MPA) today presented the legendary Nile Rodgers with its prestigious Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting &...more
THE HEADLINES
What’s going to give you the marketing edge in 2026? (see Features)
The global value of music copyright hits an all-time high (see Reports)
The 'metamorphosis' of Atlantic Records (see Features)
Looking ahead to 2026 (see Opinion)
Boost for artists in AI copyright battle as only 3% back UK active opt-out plan (see News)
Music discovery: More channels, more problems (see Reports)
The 10 biggest AI music stories of 2025 (see Features)
Do pop stars write their own hits—and if not, who does? (see Analysis)
TikTok unveils its Year in Music Report (see Digital)
Coldplay, U2, Ed Sheeran named most popular touring artists of the millennium (see News)
King Gizzard, having pulled music from Spotify in protest, find genAI clones on the platform (see Digital)
UK parliamentarians join call to regulate most powerful AI systems (see News)
Martin Mills is trying to thwart a record industry takeover by Universal (see Features)
