AIM AGM: New Board Members, Angel Investment Syndicate and Amazon Music-backed Apprenticeship Programme
New Board members include Alex Kennedy, Emily Saunders, Sarah Cole and Tony Morley, with Snooky Grubb, Despa Robinson and Corey Johnson staying on
First members to pitch investors, including Andy Heath and Jane Dyball, by year end
Partners with Amazon Music and Women in CTRL on apprenticeship programme
The UK’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) announced two new initiatives to support entrepreneurship in the independent music sector at its Annual General Meeting in Manchester. Held at YES live music venue, and also live streamed, AIM’s first AGM outside London was themed “Taking Independents to the Next Level.”
New Board members include Alex Kennedy (Managing Director UK at Believe), Emily Saunders (Artist, Songwriter, Founder / Director at ConnectsMusic and WeAreMusic), Sarah Cole (COO at AEI Group) and Tony Morley (Managing Director at The Leaf Label). Snooky Grubb (Commercial Director at Mute Artists) will continue, as will Despa Robinson (Director at BE83 Music Group), and Corey Johnson (CEO at Defenders Ent).
AIM also unveiled details of its new Angel Investment Syndicate, to be launched with support from the UK Business Angels Association (UKBAA), Reed Smith LLP and Simkins LLP, in addition to Ambassadeurs Group. AIM’s Entrepreneur & Outreach Manager Ben Wynter is coordinating the scheme, which will create access to capital for music entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses.
In the first pitching session, due to take place before the year’s end, five AIM member businesses will present to an investor panel made up of Andy Heath (Director of Beggars Group, Founder of UK Music), Jane Dyball (Laffites Ltd, ex-CEO of the MPA), Gregor Pryor (Co-chair of Reed Smith LLP’s Global Entertainment and Media Industry Group), Jon Koplin (Managing Director at Cisco Investments and Corporate Development), Ali Johnson (CEO Thames Party Boats Ltd), Luigi Amati (President of Business Angels Europe, CEO of META) and Mark Cranwell (Empirical Wax founder, Managing Director at Block9).
Supporting AIM’s goal of levelling the playing field for entrepreneurs from non-traditional backgrounds, funding applicants will also have access to essential business training. This will include an initial “Investment Readiness” training programme prior to pitching, as well as ongoing mentoring post-investment.
Ben Wynter said: “One of the biggest barriers to scaling music businesses, as identified by the British Business Bank, particularly for those from low socio-economic backgrounds, is access to capital and professional networks. The AIM Investment Syndicate hopes to change that. It will empower entrepreneurs with the language and skills to navigate the investment world, and not only enable them to secure investment but also provide real-life opportunity to grow their networks and scale their businesses. Creating the Syndicate has been one of my key goals at AIM, and I believe it has the potential to be a game changer.”
Andy Heath added: “I wanted to get involved in the AIM Angel Syndicate as it has all the right intentions and provides an opportunity for good independent companies to grow and scale their businesses in a way that has not been available previously. Though the cost of living crisis means investors are generally more cautious, I remain optimistic about the impact that this could have on independent entrepreneurs.”
Ben Wynter also led a panel on business-building, exploring the different avenues for independent music business to grow and secure investment. Panellists included Jenny Tooth (UKBAA), Louis Brown (NQ), and Nick Eziefula (Simkins LLP).
The meeting also saw AIM announce its forthcoming Amplify apprenticeship programme, created in partnership with Amazon Music and Women in CTRL, to help budding music professionals into the independent sector. The scheme will benefit from a contribution from Amazon’s £2.5m apprenticeship fund to support up to six independent labels in upskilling their workforce.
Apprentices will receive Real Living Wage salaries as Label Assistants, providing both administrative and creative support, as well as working closely with A&R teams with a focus on identifying, championing and growing women and non-binary talent on rosters. Amplify aims to accelerate positive change and be an active step forward in improving diversity and inclusion in the independent music sector, an ambition shared by Amazon Music. Applications to join the scheme are now open for AIM’s rightsholder members.
Nadia Khan, AIM Chair & Women In CTRL Founder, said: “Existing research shows a clear lack of representation of women and non-binary individuals in the music industry across many areas. Amplify is a direct initiative to tackle this imbalance, by providing investment, training and support. I’m honoured that Women in CTRL, Amazon Music and AIM are uniting on these aligned goals. Breaking down barriers to entry in the music industry is something I’m very passionate about, and thanks to the generosity of Amazon Music, this scheme will provide paid roles to future talent, taking a step towards equitable access to music industry careers.”
Ross Watson, Head of Label Relations at Amazon Music, said: "Historically we've seen a gender imbalance among artists across the release slate. With the help of AIM and Women in CTRL we wanted to develop a program which tackles the issue further upstream, invest in the most progressive parts of the UK’s thriving independent music community, and help to lay the foundations for a more diverse and inclusive industry. We’re really excited to see what results Amplify can deliver.”
AIM’s departing CEO Paul Pacifico, who is stepping down after his second three-year term at the end of 2022, gave his final address stating: "Once at risk of being pigeonholed as ‘not the majors,’ AIM has shifted to positively define itself through impressive new measures to support a new generation of creative entrepreneurs. We have served the independent music community with strength and resilience, channelling excitement and investment into the sector which in turn has driven great value to our members. I leave AIM in its strongest financial position to date and as a forward-facing organisation that is ready to respond to the challenges of an uncertain future.”
Pacifico also confirmed that AIM will renew its partnership with Liverpool Sound City, which will see AIM curate six panels at Sound City’s 2023 conference.
Over his six year tenure, Pacifico transformed AIM by reinvigorating and refocusing its role as the home and voice of a much wider spectrum of UK music business builders.
About AIM
AIM is the not-for-profit organisation representing and supporting the UK’s independent music community, which makes up over a quarter of the UK’s recorded music market. Now in its 23rd year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most-respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to DIY or self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music – including 4AD, Beggars Group, Black Acre, CTRL Music, Dirty Hit, Domino Recording Co, Hospital Records, Killing Moon Group, FAMM, Ninja Tune, Numbers, Transgressive, Secretly Canadian, Supernature, Warp, and XL Recordings.
AIM exists to level the playing field for UK independent music businesses – the beating heart of music. No matter their genre, their background, how much money they have, how they identify or their age, AIM provides access to the knowledge and contacts creative entrepreneurs need to create, build and win. AIM supports its members, not only through the difficult times, but also on a day-to-day level with practical support that makes a real difference to their lives and work, helping them take their businesses to the next level.
About Amazon Music
Amazon Music is an immersive audio entertainment service that connects fans, artists, and creators through music, podcasts, and culture. Amazon Music brings fans closer to what they love, with curated and personalised playlists, artist livestreams, artist merch, and Amazon Exclusive podcasts. Prime members get access to over 100 million songs in shuffle mode, All-Access playlists, plus the largest catalogue of top ad-free podcasts, included with their membership. Customers can upgrade to Amazon Music Unlimited for full, on-demand access to 100 million songs in HD and a growing catalogue of Ultra HD and Spatial audio. Anyone can listen to Amazon Music by downloading the Amazon Music app for free, or wherever they listen to music including Alexa-enabled devices. Learn more at https://www.amazon.co.uk/music