Paul Bonham promoted to Professional Development Director at MMF – Music Business Worldwide

Paul Bonham has been promoted to Professional Development Director at The Music Managers Forum (MMF).

Having overseen MMF’s Accelerator Programme for Music Managers, a grants and education programme supported by YouTube Music, Bonham will also focus on expanding and redefining the MMF’s training and development services.

MMF’s Accelerator Programme was launched in 2018, and was described at the time as ‘the first ever independent funding and professional development initiative designed solely for artist, songwriter and producer managers.’

Working closely with the MMF’s Associate members, as well as existing partners including CMU, Women in CTRL, The Playmaker Group and The Hub, this will involve surveying members’ developmental needs and creating bespoke learning opportunities, says MMF.

Bonham and MMF’s goal, says the company, is to empower the music management businesses at all stages of its growth to reach its full commercial potential.

He will be supported in this remit by a new Education & Engagement Manager who will also lead our education partnerships with universities and colleges.

This announcement follows the October 2021 hiring of Anneliese Harmon as the organisation’s General Manager.

Harmon previously ran her own music management and consultancy business, and has worked with the likes of V2 Music, Dallas Austin and Def Jam.

Harmon is responsible for increasing the MMF’s effectiveness by creating and communicating the organisation’s strategy through forward-planning, continuous monitoring, and development, says MMF.

She is also focused on identifying new opportunities to maximise value for MMF members while also growing the MMF’s commercial partnerships appeal and vision.

As GM, Harmon leads on MMF spotlight projects including mental health, digital burnout, bullying, harassment and discrimination initiatives, and is focused on widening the lane of objectives met by MMF Unite.

MMF has also named Manasvi Dethekar as its Membership Secretary, and Shanice Jones as Membership Assistant.

“the role of the music manager has never been so crucial – or so demanding.”

Annabella Coldrick, MMF

Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, MMF, said: “In what is a highly fragmented music business, where artists are being empowered to build their own unique pathways, the role of the music manager has never been so crucial – or so demanding.

“The rapid expansion of the MMF’s membership, which has more than doubled in recent years, is testament to these changes and there is a real need to provide both the current and upcoming generation of music managers with highly targeted business support.

“With the range of partners we already work with, I believe the MMF is well placed to further provide these services, and by increasing our resources and utilising the expertise of Paul and Anneliese we are now in a position to build on the successes of Accelerator and our other in-house training programmes and help even more UK-based managers to professionalise their businesses and thrive.”

“the role played by music managers within the industry was becoming increasingly important.”

Paul Bonham

Paul Bonham, Professional Development Director, MMF, added: “Even before the pandemic, the role played by music managers within the industry was becoming increasingly important – whether as investors, or in key areas like artist development.

“From my experience on the Accelerator Programme, where we work with some of the UK’s most talented independent managers, I have also seen first-hand the benefits of continuous learning, where managers from different backgrounds can share knowledge and expand their skills and networks.

“The impacts have been astonishing.

“For these reasons, I am really excited that we can now take these learnings and apply them far more widely, helping the MMF to better serve our incredibly diverse membership and enabling them to support the careers of artists, songwriters, producers and DJs.”

“I’m delighted to be a central part of the MMF’s groundbreaking, passionate and influential team at such a pivotal and exciting time in the music industry.”

Anneliese Harmon

Anneliese Harmon, MMF GM, said: “I’m delighted to be a central part of the MMF’s groundbreaking, passionate and influential team at such a pivotal and exciting time in the music industry.

“Music managers have come through two of the most challenging years ever, and the input, guidance and support the MMF has given and continues to give is incredible.

“As we embark on our 30th year, we will continue to innovate, educate, advocate and – dare I say – disturb, in a positive, strategic and progressive way.”Music Business Worldwide