The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has appointed Silvia Montello as its new CEO.
AIM’s Chair Nadia Khan led the recruitment process, alongside other AIM board members and with external lead HR support from PPL’s Chief People Officer Kate Reilly and additional support from Beggar’s Global People Director Caroline Hinton. Applicants were reviewed with close attention to salary transparency and fairness, whilst ensuring the shortlist met diversity targets.
Silvia will replace Paul Pacifico in leading AIM’s overarching operations and strategy, as it continues to support the UK’s growing independent music sector. She brings thirty years of experience in marketing, commercial and strategic operations.
Silvia was previously Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM), and has held senior positions at Universal Music Group, BMG and AWAL. She is the founder of music and marketing consultancy Voicebox Consulting, which works with charities, non-profits and SMEs.
A passionate campaigner for diversity, equity and inclusion, Silvia is also the co-founder of #aremarQabl, a label services and publishing company supporting new electronic music talent from under-represented backgrounds. She is also committed to educating the music industry about neurodiverse conditions and how best to work with neurodiverse talent.
An AIM member for several years, Montello is currently part of AIM’s Small Labels Committee, and has previously sat on its Distribution Group which advised on the Digital Distribution Switch Code initiative led by AIM COO Gee Davy. She is also a DJ, vocalist and songwriter, with a particular passion for dance and electronic music.
Speaking on her appointment, Silvia Montello says, ‘I am really excited to be joining the team in the new year and honoured to continue spearheading the great work AIM has done since its inception to support and champion the UK’s independent music community. Our industry is evolving at an ever-increasing pace, that evolution bringing with it both fresh opportunities around music consumption and creation, audience development, new technology solutions, alongside existing and future challenges for our community to work together to overcome.'
'AIM will continue its commitment to ensuring our independent creators and rightsholders can reap the maximum benefits, striving towards a truly diverse and inclusive industry that nurtures great talent from every genre, background and identity.’
AIM’s outgoing CEO, Paul Pacifico, says, 'I leave AIM in the hands of a fantastic and expert team who always go the extra mile for the independent music community. In Silvia, I know the team will have the leadership to continue AIM's vital work in supporting and empowering the UK’s world-beating creative entrepreneurs of the independent community. I look forward to working with Silvia to help her hit the ground running, and to seeing the success that no doubt awaits her in the role.’
