Create Music Group has named Hayley Silvertown as its Chief Legal and Business Affairs Officer.
In the role, Silvertown will oversee Create’s legal and business affairs functions and partner with the executive team on strategic transactions, investments, and partnerships.
The Los Angeles-headquartered company announced the appointment on Thursday (October 29), describing itself as “the world’s leading platform for independent record labels and entrepreneurs.”
“Over the last several years as our outside counsel, Hayley has proved to be an indispensable advisor as we expand our business around the world,” said Jonathan Strauss, Co-founder and CEO of Create Music Group. “We are looking forward to having Hayley inside the building as part of the leadership driving our enterprise forward.”
Silvertown brings more than a decade of legal and transactional experience advising companies, investors, and entrepreneurs on complex transactions and strategic matters, with a focus on the music industry, according to Create.
“Over the last several years as our outside counsel, Hayley has proved to be an indispensable advisor as we expand our business around the world.”
Jonathan Strauss, Create Music Group
She has advised Create for more than three years as outside counsel, including on key acquisitions and the company’s first institutional equity raise.
That raise, a USD $165 million round led by private equity firm Flexpoint Ford, valued Create at $1 billion in 2024.
Silvertown joins Create from Paul Hastings, where she was Of Counsel.
She previously held roles at Willkie Farr & Gallagher and Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton, and worked in the business affairs departments of ICM and Warner Chappell Music.
“Having worked alongside Create for the past several years, I’ve seen firsthand what makes this company so special,” said Silvertown. “Joining the leadership team feels like a natural next chapter and an incredible opportunity to help continue to build Create into one of the world’s leading music companies and a global home for independent labels and entrepreneurs.
“I’m excited to help execute on that vision alongside the team.”
“Joining the leadership team feels like a natural next chapter and an incredible opportunity.”
Hayley Silvertown, Create Music Group
Create was founded in 2015 by Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Strauss, Chief Operating Officer Alexandre Williams, and Chief Business Development Officer Wayne Hampton.
In March 2026, the company completed a funding round that secured more than $450 million in new equity and debt capital and valued Create at $2.2 billion.
Create remains majority-owned by its founders, with institutional investors Ares Management, 2 Mile, and Flexpoint Ford each holding minority stakes.
The round also included expanded bank group support, with Truist Securities and Banc of California serving as joint lead arrangers.
That financing followed Create’s investment of more than $300 million in Vancouver-headquartered indie Nettwerk Music Group.
Silvertown’s arrival follows a run of dealmaking at Create. Yesterday (October 28), MBW revealed that the company has acquired a minority stake in DistroKid.
In February 2026, Create appointed Mitchell Shymansky as Chief Data & Technology Officer.
Create’s acquisitions include electronic label Monstercat, Berlin-based label group !K7 Music, and UK dance label Cr2 Records, alongside catalog buyouts with Pack Records and deadmau5.
The company has also launched the joint venture label dai + drm with Romel Murphy, manager of AI artist Xania Monet, and formed a joint venture with record executive Jonnyshipes’ GoodTalk.
Its subsidiaries include the distribution platform Label Engine and digital content studio Flighthouse, which in 2025 launched sports brand Fieldhouse.Music Business Worldwide