ARIA Announces New Board Members

The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is pleased to announce the appointment of four new Directors to the ARIA Board.

Libby Blakey, Business Affair Director at Warner Music Australia; Karen Don, Senior Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs, Australia and New Zealand at Universal Music Australia; Sophie McArthur, General Manager, Digital & Business Development Australia, New Zealand & Asia at Sony Music Entertainment; and Natalie Waller, Head of ABC Music & Events, have all been appointed to the ARIA Board following recent changes to the Constitution.

At the 2018 AGM, ARIA members confirmed amendments to the Constitution designed to increase diversity and inclusiveness, which has led to these recent appointments.

These four new Board members will take their place on the ARIA Board alongside existing Directors Denis Handlin AO (Chair, Sony Music Australia), George Ash (Universal Music Australia), Sebastian Chase (MGM), Niko Nordstrom (Warner Music Australia) and David Vodicka (Rubber).

ARIA is also thrilled to announce that Emily Crews, Head of Synchronisation at Warner Music Australia has been selected as the inaugural participant for the ARIA Observership program. The program aims to provide a professional development experience for rising talent within ARIA member companies to learn more about the fundamentals, principles and functions of Boards, decision making processes and corporate governance. Emily is now invited to observe all 2019 ARIA Board meetings.

Dan Rosen, Chief Executive of ARIA said, “I congratulate Emily on becoming the inaugural participant for the ARIA Observership program. ARIA is pleased to be able to offer Emily this unique opportunity and we look forward to her joining us at our Board meetings in 2019.”

“I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Libby, Karen, Sophie and Natalie to the ARIA Board of Directors. It is extremely exciting to have four of our industry’s most respected and passionate people to bring their experience to the ARIA Board.”

The first ARIA Board Meeting for 2019 took place on Thursday 7 February.