Musical Chairs At BPI

EMI U.K. chief executive Tony Wadsworth was expected to replace Peter Jamieson as British Phonographic Industry chairman as the organization alters its senior management structure.

There’s been no official word from BPI, but the recorded music business has been expecting Jamieson to step down and for Wadsworth to replace him.

The BPI is also believed to be re-introducing the director general position. The post was last held by Andrew Yeates, until it was phased out in 2004.

Wadsworth is widely respected in the U.K. record business. He’s been at EMI for more than 20 years and worked with a host of top acts including Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Coldplay, Radiohead, Blur, and KT Tunstall. He was Brit Awards chairman from 2000 to 2003.

His role is expected to differ from Jamieson’s in the sense that he’ll be a part-time non-executive chairman, with the new director general taking over some duties.

Jamieson has filled the role of executive chairman, a full-time paid position, since October 2002. Previously, the chairman had a non-paying role that usually went to the head of a major label.