The UK-based Music Managers Forum (MMF) has appointed Eleven Management co-founder Niamh Byrne and Echo Beach Management founder and managing director Jill Hollywood as its new chairman and deputy chairman respectively.
They replace Paul Craig and Kwame Kwaten, who resigned last month after completing two three-year terms.
Following last week’s AGM, Paul Craig and Kwame Kwaten will join the MMF Trusteeship Committee, along with Adam Tudhope (Everybody’s) and Rob Swerdlow (Starwood Management).
In 2011, Byrne co-founded Eleven Management with Régine Moylett and found success with Damon Albarn, Gorillaz, blur, The Clash and Graham Coxon, subsequently inviting new artists and managers to join the team, joining The WAEVE, Riz Ahmed , Bashy, Bastille, Naomi Scott and Meyy as their creative core.
Prior to joining Eleven Management, Byrne spent 15 years working with artists including Blur, Elastica, Jesus & Mary Chain and Turin Brakes over the course of his career, before launching his own consultancy, The Engine Room.
Byrne has also worked as a creative content strategist for Universal Music UK for over four years, where her achievements include the Music Matters campaign and the rebranding of the 2010 BRIT Awards, including the “modernization” of the trophy design by artists including Dame Vivienne Westwood, Tracey Emin and Sir Peter Blake.
Byrne, who along with her colleagues at Eleven has been an MMF board member since 2022, was named Entrepreneur at the 2017 Artists and Managers Awards and oversaw the release of two number one albums by Gorillaz last year (Cookie Island) and blur (Darren’s Song), as well as two sold-out Blur shows at Wembley Stadium.
Hollywood was also recognized at the 2017 Awards and described by MMF as “one of the UK’s leading producer/writer managers” and a “passionate” advocate for his interests within the MMF community and the wider industry.
Jill founded Echo Beach Management in 2016 after working at Big Life Management for over a decade, with clients including producers such as Youth (Pink Floyd, The Verve, Embrace) and Jacknife Lee (U2, Snow Patrol, REM).
Her current roster includes clients she has represented for nearly two decades as well as a range of emerging production talent: Ash Howes, Ash Workman, Ben Jackson-Cook, Cameron Blackwood, Charlie Russell, Chris Zane, Dave Bascombe, Davide Rossi, Jacknife Lee, John Hugo, Lorna Blackwood, Lois Lane, Roy Kerr and Tim Blan (aka My Riot).
Echo Beach’s clients work with the biggest names in pop music (including Ariance Grande, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, U2, The Weeknd) but are also very progressive and looking for artists with an art focus (Self Esteem, Moonchild Sanelly, Christine) and Queen, Modest Mouse, Frank Carter and the Diamondbacks).
Additionally, with Clare Wright (Blackstar Management) stepping down a year early from her role in WarChild (but remaining an active member of MMF), Theory Management’s Who to hide Will join the Board of Directors.
Whone has over 20 years of experience as a manager, manager, music director and video producer, has run his own independent management company and record label for six years, and currently represents Big Piig, KAWALA and Bad Sounds.
He is also an active member of ESEA (East and South East Asia) Music, a not-for-profit community group led by and for UK East and South East Asian music industry professionals and artists.
“There are many challenges ahead, but I firmly believe MMF will become even more important in creating a fairer industry.”
Nyambourne
Niamh Byrne said: “I am honored to serve as Chair of the Music Managers Forum. From my position on the board, it has been impressive to see how Annabelle and her team have responded to our changing corporate culture. It’s a pleasure to support them as they continue to build an inclusive organization that supports managers from all backgrounds.
“There are many challenges ahead, but I firmly believe that MMF will become even more important in creating a fairer industry. As the role of managers continues to expand, MMF is well-positioned to help our members embrace innovation and develop their entrepreneurial skills. I It’s great to be part of the team.
“It is an incredible honor to be asked to serve as Vice Chairman. I am proud to be a part of what MMF stands for as a Board Director for the past four years.
jill hollywood
Jill Hollywood added: “It is an incredible honor to be asked to serve as Vice Chairman. I am proud to be part of what MMF stands for as a Board Director for the past four years.
“The organization’s work as an advocate for all music makers in policy and practice, its progress in making institutions as inclusive as possible, and its focus on education and inquiry make MMF extremely valuable in our ever-changing environment the force of justice.
“This is a very exciting announcement for MMF. Niamh and Jill are two of the most respected music managers in the UK.
Annabella Coldrick, Music Manager Forum
Annabella Coldrick, chief executive of the Music Managers Forum, said: “This is hugely exciting news for MMF. Niamh and Jill are two of the most respected music managers in the UK.
“In addition to building a highly successful business, both men have made significant contributions to the MMF Board in recent years. As our new Chairman and Deputy Chairman, I very much look forward to working more closely with them, as both Paul and Kwame foundation to provide a source of support, expertise and inspiration.
“Hide has also done great things at Theory Management representing artists such as Biig Piig, KAWALA and Bad Sounds, and he will undoubtedly bring a new perspective to the MMF board. His wealth of industry experience will be particularly valuable as MMF faces The challenge of representing our broad and growing membership to ensure we can support their aspirations and efforts.
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