BPI Appoints Richard Mollet as Director of Public Affairs : 6:4:2006

UK record companies' trade association the BPI has appointed former political consultant Richard Mollet as Director of Public Affairs to spearhead government relations on behalf of one of the country’s most dynamic creative industries.

Mollet will take responsibility for developing the BPI’s relationships with Government, Parliament and a range of political stakeholders.  Reporting to BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson, Mollet’s initial focus will be on the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property, the CMS Select Committee inquiry into New Media and the Creative Industries, and the DCMS’s Creative Economy programme.  He will work alongside BPI Director of Communications & Development Steve Redmond and General Counsel Roz Groome.

Prior to joining the BPI, Mollet worked in political consultancy for ten years, most recently for Edelman and earlier, for Fleishman-Hillard.

BPI Chairman Peter Jamieson said, “The recorded music industry has its most crowded public affairs agenda in two decades. On the plus side the Government has made a welcome commitment to the creative industries, but there are still important arguments to be made about the value of copyright in the digital age. We are delighted to have Richard on board to help us in this task.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mollet said: “The recorded music industry is going through a dynamic period of change and challenge, so it is a great time to be stepping into this role.  Framing the BPI’s case in the political environment and demonstrating its unique value to the UK creative economy is an exciting communications task.”

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EDITORS NOTES

About the BPI

The BPI is the trade association for the UK recorded music industry; its members accounting for 90% of UK recorded music sales.

The BPI organizes the annual BRIT Awards and Classical BRIT Awards (set to take place on May 4 at the Royal Albert Hall). It also owns a 50% stake in the Official UK Charts Company;

The BPI has led a three-year campaign to support the transition to digital formats by spearheading the music industry's battle against illegal filesharing and supporting the development of licensed digital music services.

That campaign has resulted in the UK having the biggest and most advanced digital music market in Europe, while illegal filesharing remains contained.

The BPI’s Anti-Piracy Unit spearheads the battle against music piracy on behalf of the entire UK recorded music and performer community with a network of investigators all over the country.