The Scottish Music Industry Association, which seeks to "strengthen, empower and unite" the country's music industry, has appointed a new Chair.
Jen Hunter will lead the SMIA’s Company Board and support Robert Kilpatrick, who has been newly announced as the CEO and Creative Director on a permanent basis, in setting and delivering the association's strategy.
The strategy aims to increase the value of Scotland’s music industry both at home and on the world stage, economically, socially and culturally.
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The Candleriggs, Glasgow-based SMIA, which currently has a membership of more than 3,500 music practitioners, organises the high-profile annual event, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award.
The SMIA has also opened a search for a new General Manager.
Ms Hunter said: “I’m looking forward to working with Robert Kilpatrick and the team, and to bringing my experience of member-led governance to the organisation.”
Mr Kilpatrick said the company was "gearing up to launch some incredibly exciting initiatives next year".
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Ms Hunter began her career as a touring musician before moving into local authority arts.
She programmed music for East Kilbride Arts Centre and worked as Music Development Officer in Falkirk, where she produced the Way to Blue Festival.
She served as Regional Officer for Scotland and Northern Ireland for the Musicians’ Union from 2006 to 2014 before co-founding Hackaye Projects; delivering a programme that challenged young people to visualise the change they wanted to see and connecting them to digital skills to drive transformation.
She secured key support for the sector within the Planning Scotland Bill and lobbied on behalf of the wider culture sector throughout Brexit negotiations and the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to sector recognition and support.
Mr Kilpatrick was initially appointed as interim CEO and Creative Director earlier this year but the post has now been made a permanent one.
SMIA said he had demonstrated strong leadership and has made a significant impact on the group's development.
The SMIA's twelfth annual Scottish Album of the Year Award, held at Stirling’s Albert Halls in late October, saw Young Fathers made SAY Award history by winning Scotland’s national music prize for a third time with ‘Heavy Heavy’.
"Jen’s wealth of experience across areas including sector development, cultural policy and governance will be invaluable to the SMIA, and I couldn’t be more delighted to welcome her to the organisation as our new Chair".
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He added: “I’m also incredibly honoured to be taking on the CEO and Creative Director role on a permanent basis, and I’d like to thank the SMIA Company Board for their continued support.
"We’re gearing up to launch some incredibly exciting initiatives next year, and I look forward to continuing to lead the SMIA executive team, delivering work designed to strengthen, empower and unite Scotland’s music industry".
https://www.smia.org.uk/
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