Dugher Digs Into UK Music

UK Music has revealed that Labour MP Michael Dugher has been appointed as its new chief executive. Dugher will replace outgoing Chief Executive Jo Dipple in May, with Dipple stepping down after almost nine years with the organisation.

Dugher is a former Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and has been a Labour MP for the seat of Barnsley East since 2010. Prior to this, he was a communications specialist working between 2008-2010 at 10 Downing Street, serving as the Prime Minister’s chief political spokesman

He recently announced he was stepping down as an MP so unlike some, won’t be juggling multiple jobs while remaining an MP. Rumours abound that George Osborne has recently taken on a paper round to top up his income after also recently stepping down as an MP.

Michael Dugher said: “I’m thrilled to have been appointed chief executive of UK Music. I have engaged with the organisation for several years and have seen it go from strength to strength thanks to its board, chairman Andy Heath and previous CEOs Feargal Sharkey and Jo Dipple. There is a great team at UK Music who do brilliant work and I’m really looking forward to working with them”.

He continued: “British music is a world-beating industry which brings huge economic benefits for our country. I am determined to work with all the individual members of UK Music – on the business and creator side – to ensure our industry is protected during the Brexit process and that we continue to thrive. Safeguarding intellectual property, protecting venues, promoting new opportunities and broadening diversity in the sector are all central to our work at UK Music. Music has been a lifelong passion for me and I’m looking forward to helping make a real difference as UK Music’s new chief executive”.

Andy Heath, Chairman of UK Music, said: “Michael is a first class and dynamic choice with a proven track record as a powerful supporter of British Music – both the artists and the commercial organisations. He knows the business and politics inside out”.

“Jo has been a tireless champion for the music sector and has built an organisation which is now a powerful unified voice for the industry”.

Industry organisations and UK Music members including The BPI and PRS for Music welcomed the appointment with a string of barely distinguishable quotes that you can read here.