Ged To Head Up BPI

The BPI, today (Friday 12th) announced that Ged Doherty (pictured above with Adele) has been appointed Chairman BPI Chairman and BRIT Awards Limited with effect from 1 January 2015.

Ged Doherty will take over from Tony Wadsworth CBE, who announced in March that he would step down towards the end of 2014 after seven years in the role.

As the former Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK, Ged brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience,  having worked at the highest level in music and entertainment globally, building extensive creative relationships to oversee and support the development of a diverse and successful artist roster.

Ged’s career began in artist management in the 1980’s, where his acts sold 20 million records, paving the way in 1992 for him to take on the position of Head of International Marketing at Epic Records, where he was responsible for the global marketing campaigns of superstar acts including Michael Jackson. In 1996 he was appointed Managing Director of Columbia Records moving to the BMG label group in 1999 where he met Simon Cowell, leading to …yes, we get the picture.

Following Ged’s departure from Sony Music in 2011, he co-founded Raindog Films Ltd, with Oscar-winning actor Colin Firth. He is also Chairman of FOAM, an interactive music games company, and is a partner and shareholder in artist management company Major Influence.

The newly appointed BPI and BRIT Awards Chairman commented on his appointment: “I started out in music when I was 16 years old playing in bands in Manchester, a lot has happened since then and I hope some of what I’ve learnt along the way may be of some use in this role. I am honoured and humbled to be following on from Tony, who has been an incredible figurehead for the BPI. I am very much looking forward to working with Geoff and his team, Mike and the BPI Council, and, of course, all the BPI members”.

Generator board member and outgoing BPI and BRIT Awards Chairman, Tony Wadsworth CBE, said: “It’s a pleasure to congratulate Ged Doherty on taking over the BPI chair in the New Year. I know Ged has all the attributes to do this job well, and I hope he enjoys his time as Chairman as much as I have”.

Tony continued: “I feel immensely privileged to have had the opportunity of chairing the organisation for the past seven years, and hope that my passionate belief in music, the industry and the value of record labels has helped to make a contribution to the future of our music business”.

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI and BRIT Awards, said: “Tony is a very hard act to follow and he leaves with our profound thanks and best wishes, but I am delighted that in Ged we have one of the few heavyweight executives who could take on this important role”.