Geoff Taylor is stepping down from his position as Chief Government Officer of the BPI, the commerce physique representing main and impartial labels within the UK.
In a press launch asserting the information, the BPI says that Taylor intends to maneuver elsewhere “to a extra instantly industrial position”, after 25 years working for label associations, together with greater than 15 years main the BPI.
London-based Taylor says he has agreed to remain on till early 2023 whereas the group recruits for a successor.
He was appointed CEO of the BPI in February 2007 and likewise serves because the CEO of the annual BRIT Awards present (The BPI oversees each the BRIT Awards and the Mercury Prize).
Previous to becoming a member of the BPI, between 2005 and 2007, Taylor was Common Counsel and Government Vice-President at IFPI, the group that represents the recorded music trade worldwide.
Between 2003 and 2005, Taylor labored as Common Counsel on the BPI throughout an earlier stint on the group. Previous to that, between 1997 and 2003, Taylor labored as a senior authorized advisor at IFPI.
Between 1995 and 1997, Taylor practised regulation as an Affiliate at regulation agency WilmerHale in Belgium.
Taylor’s authorized profession began on the College of Sussex, the place he studied between 1987 and 1991 and graduated with a BA Hons in Legislation with French/European Research. He additionally has a Postgraduate Diploma in European Legislation, which he studied for between 1992 and 1993 on the School of Europe in Bruges.
Based on the BPI, as a former Common Counsel at international commerce physique IFPI, Taylor “helped safe trade and UK authorities assist for the extension of copyright time period and led the BPI’s technique to scale back on-line music piracy”.
This included, based on the BPI, “blocking entry to unlawful P2P and stream-ripping websites, negotiating modifications to international insurance policies with Google, Facebook and internet marketing networks to demote unlawful websites”.
Taylor additionally oversaw the BRIT Awards’ transfer to the O2 in London, based on the BPI, in addition to the occasion’s “long-term technique to increase digital engagement, international attain and revenues”.
He’s additionally credited with steering the acquisition by the BPI in 2015 of the Mercury Prize, and, based on the BPI, championing the creation, by the British authorities, of the Music Exports Development Scheme (MEGS), run by the BPI, which has awarded greater than £4 million in grants to UK impartial labels and artists.
Taylor can also be credited, by the BPI, with enjoying a key position since 2007 in “overseeing the trade’s relationship with authorities” within the UK, together with just lately, with the DCMS on the economics of music streaming investigation and the associated Competitors & Markets Authority market study.
“It has been a fantastic privilege to steer the BPI throughout such a transformational interval for British music.”
Geoff Taylor, BPI
Geoff Taylor, CEO of BPI, stated: “It has been a fantastic privilege to steer the BPI throughout such a transformational interval for British music.
“With a brand new Chair appointed and our 50th anniversary subsequent yr, it appears like BPI is opening a brand new chapter. After a lot reflection, I’ve determined that working the BPI for 15 years is sufficient for any reasonably sane particular person and that now’s the time to use my expertise extra instantly in a industrial setting. I’ve agreed to remain on till early 2023 to assist our new Chair YolanDa Brown discover an acceptable successor.
“I need to thank the sensible workforce on the BPI, former Chair Ged Doherty, and our impartial and main members for his or her knowledge, good humour and steadfast assist. I want YolanDa and all of the members persevering with success.”
“Geoff’s insightful and forward-thinking management benefited the trade because it navigated enormous challenges during the last 15 years.”
Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music UK, added: “Geoff’s insightful and forward-thinking management benefited the trade because it navigated enormous challenges during the last 15 years.
“His argument that copyright have to be revered on-line helped safe a sustainable and rising music trade in our nation, one which has created international success for artists reminiscent of Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Dua Lipa.
Continued Harlow: “He was the driving pressure behind the BPI’s profitable methods to scale back music piracy and insurance policies to assist British music such because the Music Export Development Scheme.
“Geoff expertly steered The BRIT Awards, retaining the present trendy and related, whereas elevating important funds for The BRIT Faculty and Nordoff Robbins. Warner Music could be very grateful to Geoff for his unwavering dedication to making sure music stays one in every of this nation’s best success tales.”
“It takes actual tenacity to steer an organisation for thus lengthy by way of speedy digital disruption – we want Geoff the easiest and thank him for his tireless advocacy for British music.”
Jason Iley MBE, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music UK, stated: “The music trade has gone by way of monumental change prior to now 15 years and in that point Geoff has led the BPI with a good grip on the massive points.
“The entire trade has benefitted from the BPI’s work combatting piracy, campaigning for export funding, working the BRIT and Mercury prizes to showcase artists and supporting music schooling.
“It takes actual tenacity to steer an organisation for thus lengthy by way of speedy digital disruption – we want Geoff the easiest and thank him for his tireless advocacy for British music.”
“Geoff has been a strong advocate for our sector and has all the time made positive the pursuits of independents are promoted on the BPI.”
Jamie Oborne, founder and MD at Soiled Hit, stated:“Geoff has been a strong advocate for our sector and has all the time made positive the pursuits of independents are promoted on the BPI.
“We’ve seen the advantages at Soiled Hit, with our artists successful MEGS export funding and gaining important profile by way of the Mercury Prize and The BRITs.
“The BPI’s free coaching and worldwide assist for indies have additionally expanded massively. We’re very unhappy to see him depart however know he‘ll proceed to make an enormous contribution to the enterprise.”
“He has made a major contribution to our trade, for which we’re vastly grateful, and we want him all the easiest for when he units off in his new route subsequent yr.”
David Joseph CBE, Chairman and CEO of Common Music UK, stated: “Geoff’s calm management, perception and devoted work in assist of labels proper throughout the nation in addition to the BRIT Belief have been constants in a interval of monumental change for the music enterprise.
“He has made a major contribution to our trade, for which we’re vastly grateful, and we want him all the easiest for when he units off in his new route subsequent yr.”
“Geoff will eternally be a part of the BPI household. He’ll depart an amazing legacy with many distinctive achievements and a robust workforce in place.”
YolanDa Brown, BPI
YolanDa Brown, new Chair of BPI, stated: “Geoff will eternally be a part of the BPI household. He will depart an amazing legacy with many distinctive achievements and a robust workforce in place.
“I’m grateful that he’s staying with us to make sure a clean transition and need him all the very best on his onward journey. I do know we are going to get pleasure from our time working to make sure the longer term success of the BPI.”Music Enterprise Worldwide
