The Company is led and controlled by a Board of Directors, which is collectively responsible for the longterm success of the Company. It does so by acting in the interests of the Company, creating and preserving value and has as its foremost principle to act in the interests of Shareholders.
Chair
Appointed: 8 June 2018
Chair of the Management Engagement Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Portfolio Committee
Skills and Experience
Mr Sutch is a corporate lawyer and a consultant to Stephenson Harwood LLP. He was a partner of that firm for over 30 years and its senior partner for 10 years. He has had extensive experience in advising investment funds, investment managers and boards of investment trusts. This has included advice on complex fund launches, restructurings and corporate actions. He is a consultant to an art dealer and a council member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Chair of the Management Engagement Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Portfolio Committee
Skills and Experience
Mr Sutch is a corporate lawyer and a consultant to Stephenson Harwood LLP. He was a partner of that firm for over 30 years and its senior partner for 10 years. He has had extensive experience in advising investment funds, investment managers and boards of investment trusts. This has included advice on complex fund launches, restructurings and corporate actions. He is a consultant to an art dealer and a council member of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Senior Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 30 July 2018
Chair of the Nomination Committee and the Portfolio Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, Management Engagement Committee and Remuneration Committee
Skills and Experience
Mr Burger has spent more than 40 years in the music business working closely with artists from Leonard Cohen to Celine Dion amongst many others. As President of Sony Music EMEA, he sat on the board of most of Sony’s operating companies in Europe including the UK. Through his SohoArtists company he has nurtured young talent who have risen to great prominence in both the World Music and Folk genres while winning and being nominated for awards including The Mercury Music Prize, The USA Songwriting Competition, The BBC Radio Folk Awards and many others. His marketing skills were recognised by him being awarded Holland’s Edison Award for Best Historical Music Series.
Mr Burger began his career after graduating from The Wharton School with honours and he rose through the ranks within Sony Music in Tel Aviv, Paris, London, and Toronto. His Board experience includes stints in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. He has been a Director of The BRIT Trust, The Music Managers Forum, The BPI, as well as a number of start-ups and small companies. He serves currently as Chair of the Finance and Investment committee of The BRIT Trust, as well as Chair of the Music Managers Forum Governance and Nomination Committee. Mr Burger served as Chair of Governors at The BRIT School for six years, a State-funded school for 1400 students aged 14-19, dedicated to the performing and creative arts, where he continues to serve as a Governor. He is also a Director of The New Israel Fund UK and a member of their global International Council – an NGO which promotes the values of human rights and social justice for all residents of Israel regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.
Chair of the Nomination Committee and the Portfolio Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, Management Engagement Committee and Remuneration Committee
Skills and Experience
Mr Burger has spent more than 40 years in the music business working closely with artists from Leonard Cohen to Celine Dion amongst many others. As President of Sony Music EMEA, he sat on the board of most of Sony’s operating companies in Europe including the UK. Through his SohoArtists company he has nurtured young talent who have risen to great prominence in both the World Music and Folk genres while winning and being nominated for awards including The Mercury Music Prize, The USA Songwriting Competition, The BBC Radio Folk Awards and many others. His marketing skills were recognised by him being awarded Holland’s Edison Award for Best Historical Music Series.
Mr Burger began his career after graduating from The Wharton School with honours and he rose through the ranks within Sony Music in Tel Aviv, Paris, London, and Toronto. His Board experience includes stints in both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. He has been a Director of The BRIT Trust, The Music Managers Forum, The BPI, as well as a number of start-ups and small companies. He serves currently as Chair of the Finance and Investment committee of The BRIT Trust, as well as Chair of the Music Managers Forum Governance and Nomination Committee. Mr Burger served as Chair of Governors at The BRIT School for six years, a State-funded school for 1400 students aged 14-19, dedicated to the performing and creative arts, where he continues to serve as a Governor. He is also a Director of The New Israel Fund UK and a member of their global International Council – an NGO which promotes the values of human rights and social justice for all residents of Israel regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.
Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 8 June 2018
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee; Management Engagement Committee; Nomination Committee; and Portfolio Committee
Skills and Experience
Mr Holden (British, Guernsey Resident) is a Chartered Director (CDir) and Fellow of the Institute of Directors and adds extensive private equity investing and corporate operations experience to the Company’s Board. Previously an investment director at Terra Firma Capital Partners and Candover Investments prior to that, Mr Holden has been an active independent director to listed investment trusts, private equity funds and trading company boards since 2015. In addition, Simon acts as the pro-bono Business Adviser to the States of Guernsey’s Trading Assets that operate all of the Bailiwick’s critical airports, harbours and maritime fuel supply infrastructure.
He graduated from the University of Cambridge with an MEng and MA (Cantab) in Manufacturing Engineering. He is a member of the Association of Investment Companies (‘AIC’), Institute of Directors (‘IoD’), Guernsey Investment Funds Association (‘GIFA’) and several other financial services and intellectual property interest groups.
Listed Company Roles (other than Hipgnosis Songs Fund)
HICL Plc (HICL)
Chrysalis Investments Ltd. (CHRY)
Trian Investors 1 Ltd. (TI1)
JPMorgan Global Core Real Assets Ltd. (JARA)
Chair of the Remuneration Committee
Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee; Management Engagement Committee; Nomination Committee; and Portfolio Committee
Skills and Experience
Mr Holden (British, Guernsey Resident) is a Chartered Director (CDir) and Fellow of the Institute of Directors and adds extensive private equity investing and corporate operations experience to the Company’s Board. Previously an investment director at Terra Firma Capital Partners and Candover Investments prior to that, Mr Holden has been an active independent director to listed investment trusts, private equity funds and trading company boards since 2015. In addition, Simon acts as the pro-bono Business Adviser to the States of Guernsey’s Trading Assets that operate all of the Bailiwick’s critical airports, harbours and maritime fuel supply infrastructure.
He graduated from the University of Cambridge with an MEng and MA (Cantab) in Manufacturing Engineering. He is a member of the Association of Investment Companies (‘AIC’), Institute of Directors (‘IoD’), Guernsey Investment Funds Association (‘GIFA’) and several other financial services and intellectual property interest groups.
Listed Company Roles (other than Hipgnosis Songs Fund)
HICL Plc (HICL)
Chrysalis Investments Ltd. (CHRY)
Trian Investors 1 Ltd. (TI1)
JPMorgan Global Core Real Assets Ltd. (JARA)
Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 27 November 2019
Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, Management Engagement Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Portfolio Committee
Skills and Experience
Ms Coleman, initially a lawyer with Stephenson Harwood, has since spent most of her career in the Music Industry serving, across 25 years, as Senior Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs at EMI Music and prior to that, Sony Music where she was responsible for overseeing the company’s International and European legal and business affairs respectively. Most recently, she co-founded BPureSounds, a boutique IP rights company developing music related properties. Additionally, Ms Coleman was a Non-executive Director of FTSE 250 bwin.party digital entertainment plc until its acquisition by GVC Holdings plc.
She also served as a long-standing Chair of Chickenshed Theatre Company, a not for profit music and theatre company for young people celebrating diversity and inclusion and was on the Board of Reprieve, a charitable human rights organisation. She also co-founded Ceroc Enterprises, a dance company creating and franchising a contemporary dance phenomenon across the UK.
Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, Management Engagement Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Portfolio Committee
Skills and Experience
Ms Coleman, initially a lawyer with Stephenson Harwood, has since spent most of her career in the Music Industry serving, across 25 years, as Senior Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs at EMI Music and prior to that, Sony Music where she was responsible for overseeing the company’s International and European legal and business affairs respectively. Most recently, she co-founded BPureSounds, a boutique IP rights company developing music related properties. Additionally, Ms Coleman was a Non-executive Director of FTSE 250 bwin.party digital entertainment plc until its acquisition by GVC Holdings plc.
She also served as a long-standing Chair of Chickenshed Theatre Company, a not for profit music and theatre company for young people celebrating diversity and inclusion and was on the Board of Reprieve, a charitable human rights organisation. She also co-founded Ceroc Enterprises, a dance company creating and franchising a contemporary dance phenomenon across the UK.
Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 11 June 2021
Skills and Experience
Ms Scholgel brings a wealth of experience of asset management in the media, creative arts and entertainment sectors and a deep understanding of streaming technology platforms and content licensing. Ms Schlogel founded the global private equity firm Atwater Capital in 2017, with a vision of uniting the valuable creative aspects of evaluating investments and growing companies with deep operational and financial expertise. The firm invests across the media and entertainment sector with a focus on companies that foster cultural diversity, working with management teams committed to embracing strong ESG practices.
Previously, she served as an executive at a number of leading companies, including as Chief Investment Officer of Roc Nation, the entertainment business founded by the artist Jay-Z. Before that, she was a member of KKR’s Private Equity team, where she specialised in the Media sector and launched the Growth Equity division. She began her career at Goldman Sachs in London and LA.
She is the Chairwoman of the Board for Epidemic Sound and Chairwoman of the Board for LEONINE Studios.
Skills and Experience
Ms Scholgel brings a wealth of experience of asset management in the media, creative arts and entertainment sectors and a deep understanding of streaming technology platforms and content licensing. Ms Schlogel founded the global private equity firm Atwater Capital in 2017, with a vision of uniting the valuable creative aspects of evaluating investments and growing companies with deep operational and financial expertise. The firm invests across the media and entertainment sector with a focus on companies that foster cultural diversity, working with management teams committed to embracing strong ESG practices.
Previously, she served as an executive at a number of leading companies, including as Chief Investment Officer of Roc Nation, the entertainment business founded by the artist Jay-Z. Before that, she was a member of KKR’s Private Equity team, where she specialised in the Media sector and launched the Growth Equity division. She began her career at Goldman Sachs in London and LA.
She is the Chairwoman of the Board for Epidemic Sound and Chairwoman of the Board for LEONINE Studios.
Non-Executive Director
Appointed: 8 June 2018
Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee
Member of the Management Engagement Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Portfolio Committee
Skills and Experience
Mr Wilkinson is a chartered accountant who qualified with Peat Marwick Mitchell and subsequently went on to work with the music clientele of merchant bankers Leopold Joseph. Mr Wilkinson was a founder of the Promo Group, which managed the business affairs of the Rolling Stones. In 1981, he became a partner of Prince Rupert Loewenstein, providing business management services to clients in the entertainment and sports sectors.
Mr Wilkinson is co-founder and CEO of Music Plus Sport Ltd. and its subsidiary Live at the Races Limited. The group specialises in large-scale concerts at sporting events. Further, Mr Wilkinson was founder and chief executive of Kingstreet Tours Limited, a company that was at the forefront of concert tour production for over 30 years and delivered worldwide concert tours for artists including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Sir Elton John, Robbie Williams and Shakira. Mr Wilkinson is a member of the fundraising committee and former treasurer of Nordoff Robbins, a charity that uses music therapy in the treatment and care of autistic children.
Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee
Member of the Management Engagement Committee, Nomination Committee, Remuneration Committee and Portfolio Committee
Skills and Experience
Mr Wilkinson is a chartered accountant who qualified with Peat Marwick Mitchell and subsequently went on to work with the music clientele of merchant bankers Leopold Joseph. Mr Wilkinson was a founder of the Promo Group, which managed the business affairs of the Rolling Stones. In 1981, he became a partner of Prince Rupert Loewenstein, providing business management services to clients in the entertainment and sports sectors.
Mr Wilkinson is co-founder and CEO of Music Plus Sport Ltd. and its subsidiary Live at the Races Limited. The group specialises in large-scale concerts at sporting events. Further, Mr Wilkinson was founder and chief executive of Kingstreet Tours Limited, a company that was at the forefront of concert tour production for over 30 years and delivered worldwide concert tours for artists including The Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Sir Elton John, Robbie Williams and Shakira. Mr Wilkinson is a member of the fundraising committee and former treasurer of Nordoff Robbins, a charity that uses music therapy in the treatment and care of autistic children.
Our Team is comprised of HSM (formerly TFM), its Advisory Board and HSG across multiple locations, including London, Los Angeles, New York and Nashville.
The Company’s Investment Adviser is Hipgnosis Song Management Limited (HSM), formerly The Family (Music) Limited (TFM), which was founded by Merck Mercuriadis.
On 10 September 2020 Hipgnosis Songs Fund acquired the entire share capital of Big Deal Music Group, which was renamed Hipgnosis Songs Group (HSG). The management of the employees has been delegated to the Investment Adviser in its entirety, but retains oversight through the Investment Advisory agreement.
CEO, TFM
Founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited and its Investment Adviser, The Family (Music) Limited.
CEO and managing partner of Hipgnosis Songs Ltd, an artist management firm label based in London and Los Angeles.
Mr Mercuriadis is the manager of music legend Nile Rodgers and the former manager of several notable award-winning artists and Songwriters including Sir Elton John, Guns’N’Roses, Iron Maiden, Morrissey, Pet Shop Boys, Mary J. Blige, Jane’s Addiction, Diane Warren and Justin Tranter to name a few. Additionally, Mercuriadis is notable for serving from 1986-2007 as Director and CEO of The Sanctuary Group PLC, a major management company, an independent record label, a merchandise company (Bravado) and a booking agency (Helter Skelter now CAA UK) based in London, New York and Los Angeles.
Chief Catalogue Officer, TFM
President, TFM
COO, TFM
CFO, TFM
Executive Vice President, TFM
Chief Creative, Marketing & Culture Officer, TFM
CEO, HSG
Global Head of Song Management, TFM
Director, Investor Relations, TFM
Executive Vice President of Digital and Innovation, TFM
Executive Vice President Global Synch & Creative, TFM
Executive Vice President Global Synch, HSG
Co-President, HSG
Co-President, HSG
Executive Vice President, New York, HSG
Senior Vice President, Nashville, HSG
The Investment Adviser has assembled an Advisory Board of highly successful music industry experts which include award winning members of the artist, songwriter, publishing, legal, financial, recorded music and music management communities, all with in-depth knowledge of music publishing. Members of Hipgnosis Song Management Limited Advisory Board include Nile Rodgers, The-Dream, Giorgio Tuinfort, Starrah, David A. Stewart, Poo Bear, Bill Leibowitz, Ian Montone and Rodney Jerkins.
The Advisory Board assists the Investment Adviser.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Grammy award-winning songwriter, producer and musician. Founder of the band Chic. Co-writer and producer of iconic hits for David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran and Daft Punk.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, Chairman of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Grammy award-winning songwriter, producer and musician. Founder of the band Chic. Co-writer and producer of iconic hits for David Bowie, Madonna, Duran Duran and Daft Punk.
Grammy award-winning songwriter, producer and musician. Wrote and produced iconic hits for Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber.
Grammy award-winning songwriter, producer and musician. Wrote and produced iconic hits for Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kanye West, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears and Justin Bieber.
One of the most successful songwriters, artists and producers of all time. His work with Eurythmics, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Shakespears Sister, No Doubt, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton amongst many others, defines its era.
One of the most successful songwriters, artists and producers of all time. His work with Eurythmics, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Shakespears Sister, No Doubt, Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton amongst many others, defines its era.
Amongst the most important young songwriters having written 14 hit singles thus far including the Number 1 Song Havana by Camila Cabello and Girls Like You by Maroon 5. Havana was the biggest Song in the world in 2018.
Amongst the most important young songwriters having written 14 hit singles thus far including the Number 1 Song Havana by Camila Cabello and Girls Like You by Maroon 5. Havana was the biggest Song in the world in 2018.
Grammy Award winning super-producer and a formidable musical force, with a trail of outstanding accomplishments. He has added to the hit lists of music talents such as Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Sam Smith, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z, Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Drake, Big Sean, Toni Braxton, Britney Spears, Cher, Destiny’s Child, TLC, N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, The Spice Girls, Maroon 5 and countless others. These artists know that having the “Darkchild” touch on their Song puts it on the fast track toward reaching Number One.
Grammy Award winning super-producer and a formidable musical force, with a trail of outstanding accomplishments. He has added to the hit lists of music talents such as Whitney Houston, George Michael, Mariah Carey, Sam Smith, Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Jay Z, Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Drake, Big Sean, Toni Braxton, Britney Spears, Cher, Destiny’s Child, TLC, N’Sync, Backstreet Boys, The Spice Girls, Maroon 5 and countless others. These artists know that having the “Darkchild” touch on their Song puts it on the fast track toward reaching Number One.
Attorney, founding partner of Roberts, Leibowitz and Hafitz PLLC. Former COO and General Counsel for The Sanctuary Group (and continued in this capacity after The Sanctuary Group was acquired by Universal Music Group until Bill returned to private practice). Specialises in intellectual property law and during his legal career of 35 years he has represented many renowned artists and major international intellectual property companies.
Attorney, founding partner of Roberts, Leibowitz and Hafitz PLLC. Former COO and General Counsel for The Sanctuary Group (and continued in this capacity after The Sanctuary Group was acquired by Universal Music Group until Bill returned to private practice). Specialises in intellectual property law and during his legal career of 35 years he has represented many renowned artists and major international intellectual property companies.
Grammy award winning songwriter and one of the most important pop writers of the last 10 years. The partner of choice for David Guetta and Akon. He has written Number 1 Songs for Sia, Gwen Stafani and Ariana Grande.
Grammy award winning songwriter and one of the most important pop writers of the last 10 years. The partner of choice for David Guetta and Akon. He has written Number 1 Songs for Sia, Gwen Stafani and Ariana Grande.
Multi-platinum producer, singer and songwriter aficionado, Jason Boyd, better known to the masses as Poo Bear, is a five-time Grammy winning musical force of nature having sold over 500 million records worldwide. Best known for his unforgettable collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber.
Multi-platinum producer, singer and songwriter aficionado, Jason Boyd, better known to the masses as Poo Bear, is a five-time Grammy winning musical force of nature having sold over 500 million records worldwide. Best known for his unforgettable collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber.
Attorney and founder of Monotone Management. Manager of Jack White, The White Stripes, Vampire Weekend, The Shins and Danger Mouse.
Attorney and founder of Monotone Management. Manager of Jack White, The White Stripes, Vampire Weekend, The Shins and Danger Mouse.