BPI Confirms Restructuring

The British Phonographic Industry has confirmed that Tony Wadsworth will replace Peter Jamieson as chairman and Geoff Taylor will come in to take the revamped role of chief executive.

Jamieson is stepping down after four years and, as previously reported, the BPI will go back to being run by two people – a non-executive chairman and a full-time chief exec.

"I take it as a compliment that they’re going to need two people to replace me," was Jamieson’s jovial parting shot, although he may well stay connected to the organisation in some way.

He’s in discussions with the BPI regarding his potential involvement in ongoing projects.

Jamieson led the organization through what he described as a "volatile and transitionary period," as the BPI lobbied and fought against all forms of music piracy and suffered because of the business lost to it.

It’s been common knowledge that Wadsworth, who is chief exec of EMI U.K. & Ireland, would replace Jamieson as chairman. But a January 15th BPI press statement was the first news that Taylor would be the chief exec brought in to work alongside him.

He’s moving across from the IFPI, the BPI’s international sister organisation, where he has been general counsel for the last two years. Prior to that, he did the same job for the BPI.

Taylor said he’s delighted to lead the organisation at "a critical time for the future of British music," as the industry faces the challenges and opportunities created by the fact the ever-increasing variety of digital music services have become a key factor in the business.

He said his goal is "to ensure that the British recording industry is given the best possible environment in which to do what it does best – putting great British music at the centre of the world stage."

Jamieson will step down on the last day of February and the new appointments take effect March 1st.