YolanDa Brown named new chair of the BPI

Back in February Doherty announced that he would be stepping down as chair of the BPI after seven years, and today (13 July) it's been announced that YolanDa Brown will be taking over his role.

We are delighted to announce that our new Chair is acclaimed musician, composer and broadcaster @yolandabrown!

Read the full announcement: https://t.co/eXb7zWFQ5V pic.twitter.com/zsubGrj0rd

— BPI (@bpi_music) July 13, 2022

Currently, Brown is Chair of Youth Music, on the national council of the Arts Council, a trustee of PRS Foundation, an ambassador for both the Prince’s Trust and London Music Fund and a champion for the children’s mental health charity Place2Be. She is also a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra advisory board, and contributes to the Government’s advisory panel on Music Education.

In her music career, Brown is a MOBO Award-winning saxophonist, and in the TV and Radio world she hosts YolanDa’s Band Jam on CBeebies, and composes music for Sesame Street.

"There is something special about British music – our artists across many genres and generations have been the soundtrack to people’s lives," Brown said of being appointed chair of the BPI. "The last few years have been challenging for our music community – we’ve had to evolve, listen more and show greater empathy, address past issues and collaborate to a much greater extent. There’s still more to do, but there are also so many exciting opportunities that lie ahead."

Brown added, "I am honoured to take on this role as Chair of the BPI. A big thank you to my predecessor Ged Doherty for his drive and dedication, which I will continue to build on. I am looking forward to working with the entire BPI Council and members, CEO Geoff Taylor and his team, labels of all shapes and sizes, and of course artists and the wider industry bodies as we all continue to fly the flag for British music."

Doherty, the outgoing BPI chair, said, "This is an exciting appointment for the BPI, and I congratulate YolanDa and wish her all the very best in the role. It’s been an honour serving the BPI, its Council and hundreds of wonderful members, and I thank Geoff and his great team for their valued support as well as the members of the BPI’s Equity and Justice Advisory Group for their never-less-than passionate contributions. The last seven years have been a joy and I wish everyone well, and I look forward to seeing British music continue to thrive."