Music Business News: United Kingdom

Vania Schlogel steps down from Board of Directors at Hipgnosis Songs Fund

Exec founded Los Angeles-headquartered private equity firm Atwater in 2017

Paul Trueman joins artist marketing platform un:hurd as COO, Hazel Savage joins firm’s Board of Directors

News follows the company’s recent seven-figure investment round led by Kobalt Music’s founder and Chairman, Willard Ahdritz

Fraser T. Smith, PPL launch ‘Future Producer Academy’ for under-represented producers

Project aims to providing financial backing and educational opportunities for producers

Matt Riley promoted to Managing Director of AWAL in the UK, Victoria Needs and Sam Potts upped to SVP roles

Based in London, Riley will report directly to Paul Hitchman, President of AWAL

‘The industry has controlled what the consumer listens to for way too long.’

Emma Banks of Frtyfve and Instrumental is interviewed in MBW's Inspiring Women series

From Universal’s AI fightback to Primary Wave’s $100m deal in India… it’s MBW’s Weekly Round-Up

The biggest music biz headlines from the past week, all in one place

Lauren Spencer-Smith’s ex-manager files $45m lawsuit against Universal Music Group, alleging ‘libel,’ ‘slander,’ ‘tortious interference’

The lawsuit seeks USD $45 million in damages, including $25 million for alleged defamatory conduct

Microsoft’s $69bn takeover of Activision Blizzard blocked by UK regulator over cloud gaming concerns

The UK’s antitrust regulator has blocked Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard