Alison Wenham is stepping down as the CEO of The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) after 12 years with the global independent music industry trade group.
Prior to joining WIN full time in 2016, Wenham was the CEO of the UK’s Association of Independent Music (AIM), the organisation she started in 1999. WIN was also set up under her leadership, initially as an informal global network in 2006 in response to global threats and opportunities. The annual WINTEL Report, now in its third year, maps global market share and growth of the independent sector.
“a new era of respect for the role and importance of the sector”
“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to devote two decades of my life and career to helping ensure the stability and continued growth of the independent music sector,” said Wenham in a statement. “Since launching AIM in 1999 I have stood shoulder to shoulder with amazing friends and colleagues as, together, we set out and then delivered a new era of respect for the role and importance of the sector. We changed attitudes towards the sector across the world, and ensured that independent music copyrights are now recognized and valued. I am immensely proud of all we have achieved in that time and independent music will remain a passion of mine. I have decided, however, that the time is now right, with the organization in good health, to step down from my position at WIN. I want to thank everybody I have worked with over the years for their incredible support.”
WIN member A2IM’s CEO Richard James Burgess applauded Wenham’s accomplishments and the foundations she has built for the future of independent music advocacy:
“From heading up AIM to her leadership at WIN, Alison Wenham has played in integral part in representing not only British independent music, but independent music worldwide. Starting with an independent music advocacy group, she expanded that vision into an international independent trade association network, creating a cohesive community and advocacy powerhouse that has effected real change throughout the independent music industry.”
Martin Mills, current WIN Chairman added, “Alison has been a force of nature for all of us, and a central factor in indies being able to compete worldwide with companies many times their size. As she moves on, she leaves us strong and thriving, and looking forward to many fruitful seasons. For that we are eternally grateful to her”