The BPI has announced Dr Jo Twist OBE as its new Chief Executive.
Jo, who has held the role of CEO at Ukie – the trade body for UK games and interactive entertainment – since 2012, is expected to take up the role in July. Jo has also held positions at the BBC and Channel 4 and sits on a number of industry and charity Boards.
The BPI’s Chief Strategy Officer Sophie Jones will continue as Interim BPI Chief Executive until Jo joins. Sophie took over from Geoff Taylor MBE following his departure in December 2022.
Dr Jo Twist OBE, incoming BPI Chief Executive, says, ‘I am delighted to join the BPI at such an exciting time for British music. Having spent the last 25 years working across cutting-edge creative industries I look forward to working with YolanDa, Sophie and the team as they support their label members and the wider music community in fully realising the value of music – growing the market, boosting exports and ensuring the recognition and backing the industry deserves’
‘The industry’s talent, so passionately nurtured by innovative major and independent record labels, is world leading, and the BPI plays an important role in creating an environment where labels and their artists can thrive and the next generation of talent can be supported into the industry.’
YolanDa Brown OBE DL, BPI Chair, says, ‘On behalf of the BPI, its Council and members, I am excited to welcome Jo Twist as our new Chief Executive. In what was a competitive recruitment process she showed great passion, drive and a big heart for music. Jo has outstanding credentials and, along with her fresh perspective, she will bring a rich breadth of experience garnered in games and across the creative industries. This will prove invaluable to the BPI and to UK recorded music as we navigate great changes in our industry. We wish her all the very best in the role and keenly look forward to her arrival this Summer.’
Sophie Jones, BPI Chief Strategy Officer and Interim Chief Executive, says, ‘I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jo previously, and her exceptional qualities will serve the BPI and our members well. There is much to do to deliver our goals to support continued investment in new talent, keep the UK music sector strong in a hyper-competitive global market and to tackle the new disruptions on the horizon, such as AI. I’m really looking forward to welcoming Jo to the BPI and working with her.’
