AIF Announces Key Board Changes

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has announced major changes to its senior board structure and formed a new strategy board.

Following a successful six-year tenure, Alison Wenham and Ben Turner will step down as chair and vice chair respectively.

They were succeeded on September 1st by CEO of Generator Jim Mawdsley as Chair and John Rostron, former Chief Executive of the Welsh Music Foundation and founder of Swn Festival as vice chair.

Jim Mawdsley said: “I am extremely proud to accept the challenge of becoming the new Chair of the Association of Independent Festivals. While Alison Wenham will be a hard act to follow I am extremely excited about the role and working hard to ensure that the future landscape for festival promoters becomes more of a level playing field through successful campaigning, provision of vital developmental services and ensuring even further visibility with the addition of new members at all levels of the festival market”.

Speaking almost exclusively to The Gen’s Editor, General Manager of AIF Paul Reed said: “We would like to thank Ben Turner and Alison Wenham for the work they have done for AIF during the last six years. Their energy, passion and vision has been a major factor in the success of our organization to date and we know that they will remain important voices as we move forward. We welcome Jim Mawdsley and John Rostron as our new Chair and Vice Chair and feel sure that under their stewardship AIF will continue to grow and will remain a powerful advocate for the independent festival sector”.

Members of AIF’S new strategy board include Co-Founder Rob Da Bank (Bestival), Kilimanjaro Live CEO Stuart Galbraith (Sonisphere), Freddie Fellowes (Secret Garden Party), Ali McLean (Head of Festivals at DHP Family / No Tomorrow), John Empson (Eden Sessions), Rob Challice (Larmer Tree), Andy Smith (Kendal Calling), Hugh Philimore (Cornbury) and Sid Sharma (Shambala).

The strategy board will function as a board of directors to AIF and will shape the strategic direction of the organisation, determining core service provision to AIF members whilst governing and guiding the staff team in initiatives and projects. Find out more about AIF here.