Geoff Taylor is stepping down from his position as Chief Government Officer of the BPI, the commerce physique representing main and unbiased labels within the UK.
In a press launch saying the information, the BPI says that Taylor intends to maneuver “to a extra immediately business 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 in addition 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 Normal Counsel and Government Vice-President at IFPI, the group that represents the recorded music trade worldwide.
Between 2003 and 2005, Taylor labored as Normal 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.
In accordance with the BPI, as a former Normal Counsel at world commerce physique IFPI, Taylor “helped safe trade and UK authorities help for the extension of copyright time period and led the BPI’s technique to cut back on-line music piracy”.
This included, in line with the BPI, “blocking entry to unlawful P2P and stream-ripping websites, negotiating modifications to world insurance policies with Google, Facebook and internet advertising networks to demote unlawful websites”.
Taylor additionally oversaw the BRIT Awards’ transfer to the O2 in London, in line with the BPI, in addition to the occasion’s “long-term technique to increase digital engagement, world attain and revenues”.
He’s additionally credited with steering the acquisition by the BPI in 2015 of the Mercury Prize, and, in line with the BPI, championing the creation, by the British authorities, of the Music Exports Progress Scheme (MEGS), run by the BPI, which has awarded greater than £4 million in grants to UK unbiased labels and artists.
Taylor can also be credited, by the BPI, with taking part in a key position since 2007 in “overseeing the trade’s relationship with authorities” within the UK, together with lately, with the DCMS on the economics of music streaming and the associated Competitors & Markets Authority market study.
“It has been an amazing 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 an amazing privilege to steer the BPI throughout such a transformational interval for British music.
“With a brand new Chair appointed and our 50th anniversary subsequent 12 months, it seems like BPI is opening a brand new chapter. After a lot reflection, I’ve determined that operating the BPI for 15 years is sufficient for any reasonably sane particular person and that now could be the time to use my expertise extra immediately in a business atmosphere. I’ve agreed to remain on till early 2023 to assist our new Chair YolanDa Brown discover an applicable successor.
“I need to thank the good workforce on the BPI, former Chair Ged Doherty, and our unbiased and main members for his or her knowledge, good humour and steadfast help. I want YolanDa and all of the members persevering with success.”
“Geoff’s insightful and forward-thinking management benefited the trade because it navigated large challenges over the past 15 years.”
Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music UK, added: “Geoff’s insightful and forward-thinking management benefited the trade because it navigated large challenges over the past 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 world success for artists resembling Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Dua Lipa.
Continued Harlow: “He was the driving power behind the BPI’s profitable methods to cut back music piracy and insurance policies to help British music such because the Music Export Progress Scheme.
“Geoff expertly steered The BRIT Awards, protecting the present fashionable and related, whereas elevating important funds for The BRIT College and Nordoff Robbins. Warner Music may be very grateful to Geoff for his unwavering dedication to making sure music stays considered one of this nation’s best success tales.”
“It takes actual tenacity to steer an organisation for therefore lengthy via 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 via monumental change up to now 15 years and in that point Geoff has led the BPI with a decent grip on the large points.
“The entire trade has benefitted from the BPI’s work combatting piracy, campaigning for export funding, operating the BRIT and Mercury prizes to showcase artists and supporting music training.
“It takes actual tenacity to steer an organisation for therefore lengthy via speedy digital disruption – we want Geoff the easiest and thank him for his tireless advocacy for British music.”
“Geoff has been a robust advocate for our sector and has at all times made positive the pursuits of independents are promoted on the BPI.”
Jamie Oborne, founder and MD at Soiled Hit, stated:“Geoff has been a robust advocate for our sector and has at all times made positive the pursuits of independents are promoted on the BPI.
“We’ve seen the advantages at Soiled Hit, with our artists profitable MEGS export funding and gaining vital profile via the Mercury Prize and The BRITs.
“The BPI’s free coaching and worldwide help for indies have additionally expanded massively. We’re very unhappy to see him go away however know he‘ll proceed to make a giant 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 12 months.”
David Joseph CBE, Chairman and CEO of Common Music UK, stated: “Geoff’s calm management, perception and devoted work in help 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 12 months.”
“Geoff will without end be a part of the BPI household. He’ll go away an incredible legacy with many distinctive achievements and a powerful workforce in place.”
YolanDa Brown, BPI
YolanDa Brown, new Chair of BPI, stated: “Geoff will without end be a part of the BPI household. He will go away an incredible legacy with many distinctive achievements and a powerful 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’ll get pleasure from our time working to make sure the longer term success of the BPI.”Music Enterprise Worldwide
