Feargal Sharkey, Chief Executive

Feargal Sharkey enjoyed global success as lead singer of The Undertones and as a chart-topping solo artist, before embarking on a wide-ranging career, encompassing A&R man at Polydor, managing director of EXP Ltd and Member of the Radio Authority. Since 2004 he has chaired the UK government’s Live Music Forum and, most recently, has been tasked by the Secretary of State for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Secretary of State for the Department for Children, Schools and Families to take forward government’s commitment to establish a national network of professionally equipped community rehearsal spaces for young people.  He takes up the role of CEO at BMR on February 1st 2008.

Cathy Koester, Senior Political Advisor

Responsibilities:

• Advise our member organisations on relevant policy developments at regional and national level
• Assist our member organisations in formulating their own policy positions
• Articulate our member organisations’ policy positions and lobby on their behalf in Whitehall, Westminster and in regional government
• Broker relationships and partnerships with relevant bodies and agencies to further the aims of our member organisations
• Develop and maintain contacts with a wide range of opinion-formers
• Act as advocates for our member organisations both within the music sector and in other sectors
• Represent the interests of our member organisation in meetings and events and participate in cross-sector forums and alliances

Florian Koempel, Legal Counsel, European Affairs

Responsibilities:

• Analysis of any relevant public policy, regulatory or legislative material at national, European and international level
• Developing and implementing British Music Rights’ lobbying strategy in coordination with our member organisations and other right holders’ organisations (e.g. British Copyright Council, the Alliance Against IP Theft, Digital Content Forum)
• Managing British Music Rights’ Rights Committee: setting agendas, and drafting legal submissions
• Representation of British Music Rights constituency at events/conferences relevant for our members
• Drafting articles for member publications, monthly reports to the Board, contributing copy for British Music Rights' newsletter and responsible for regular Update
  

Vez Hoper, Events & Communications Manager

(Maternity Cover for Anika Daughton)

Responsibilities:

• Management of events programme
• Website and corporate literature
• PR and promotional activities - sponsorship, advertising and branding
• Design and print

Adam Webb, Press & Communications Executive

Responsibilities:

• Managing the BMR press office and press campaigns
• Writing articles for member and external publications
• Internal communications with BMR’s member organisations

Sarah Coward, Office Administrator/PA to Chief Executive

Responsibilities: