The BPI, the representative voice for the UK’s world-leading record companies and label businesses, announces that Michael Neidus (Demon Music Group) and Pru Harris (Marathon Music Group) have been elected to BPI Council, with Pat Carr (Remote Control) re-elected, to serve as representatives of the BPI’s independent members.

The three positions on Council became vacant in November 2024, following the retirement of Nick Hartley (PIAS), and both Pat Carr (Remote Control) and Dr. Stefania Passamonte (Master Chord Records) standing down on rotation.  Online voting by the BPI’s independent membership took place between 3 – 16 February 2025, and was overseen by Civica.

BPI Council is the BPI’s key management and policy forum. Michael, Pat and Pru now join Adam Velasco (Cherry Red Records), Becky Lees (LSO Live) and Femi Olasehinde (Just Another Label) in representing the BPI’s 500-plus independent member labels, and will sit alongside designated representatives from Sony Music Entertainment UK, Universal Music UK, Warner Music UK, and PPL, as well as a number of co-opted members.  See Notes for more information, including details of all the candidates that stood for election.

Welcoming the successful candidates, YolanDa Brown OBE DL, BPI Chair, said:

“We congratulate Michael and Pru on their election for the first time and of course Pat on her return to Council. We welcome them as entrusted representatives of our independent music community, and look forward to drawing on their knowledge and experience at a time when innovation in music is creating both exciting opportunities, but also profound challenges.

“On behalf of the Council I would like to give my sincere thanks to Nick Hartley and to Stefania Passamonte for their valued service, passion and contributions over the years. My appreciation also to all the candidates who stood for election.” 

Dr Jo Twist OBE, BPI Chief Executive, said:

“We thank our Council members standing down who have served the community so brilliantly and welcome our new and returning independent representatives.  Independent representation on our Council is vital to how we operate and in ensuring that the interests of the independent community which we represent in our membership are promoted. The industry needs strength and unity at a time of immense change, and we look forward to working with the Council to be a strong voice for recorded music.”