Brix Smith joins FAC Board of Directors at 2022 Annual General Meeting

The FAC hosted its Annual General Meeting at Soho House’s Tea Building Studios at 17:00 BST, Wednesday 26th October.  This year’s AGM was held in association with NME and was supported by Tunecore, SRLV Accountants and Soho House.

The FAC welcomed rock icon, Brix Smith to its Board of Directors.  Best known for her work in seminal band, The Fall, Brix’s career as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, author, illustrator and actor have made her an inspiration for women not just in music, but more widely, too.  Her work as president of the music industry directory of gender minority musicians, songwriters and composers, the F-List, underlines her commitment to equality and representation.  The FAC also saw Imogen Heap, Katie Melua, Jeremy Pritchard, Sam Lee and Roxanne de Bastion return as directors.  Benny Bizzie, grime turned RnB artist, also takes up post as a permanent observer to the FAC Board, with a focus on issues of disability and access within the artist community.

Attendees heard from the FAC’s Artist in Residence, Blur’s David Rowntree, and CEO David Martin, about the FAC’s role representing artists. NME’s Andrew Trendell hosted a run down of the year in music with a panel including FAC Director, Everything Everything’s Jeremy Pritchard alongside The Selecter’s Pauline Black OBE DL and three-time MOBO winner, Guvna B.  The event was closed out by a performance from the Grammy nominated voice of Kelli-Leigh.

At the event, attendees heard about the FAC’s work including its campaign around punitive fees charged in venues for artists to sell merchandise - 100% Venues.  There was also an update regarding the FAC’s talent development programme, Step Up which saw its first awardees announced in 2022, and which is generously supported by Amazon Music.  CEO David Martin, outlined the FAC’s continued work around the economics of streaming and reaffirmed the FAC’s commitment to achieving a “far better settlement for artists”.

David Martin, FAC CEO, said:

“Whilst the last year has seen the start of a recovery for our sector, there remains a huge challenge for us to return to pre-pandemic successes and growth.  Against a challenging backdrop, I’m proud of what the FAC has achieved.  The last year has demonstrated that the need for a strong, representative and collective voice for artists is as essential as ever.  That’s why I’m delighted to welcome Brix Smith and Benny Bizzie to the organisation, and to see the return of Imogen, Katie, Sam, Jeremy and Roxanne.  I look forward to working with them as we drive further change in the coming 12 months.”