24/04/2020: In response to coverage about the appointment of Tom Watson, UK Music issued the following statement.

The post of Chair of UK Music was extensively advertised across a range of media including The Sunday Times and The Guardian, as well as major online trade publications such as Record of the Day and Music Business Worldwide.

More than 80 applications were received before the deadline in mid-January.

The UK Music Board tasked a representative cross-section of all UK Music's member organisations to carry out the selection process. The six-member panel drew up a shortlist of six candidates for interview.

Tom Watson was chosen by the panel and his appointment was ratified in March by UK Music Board. 

Tom Watson was Shadow Culture Secretary for more than three years before he stood down from Parliament. He was a founder member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music. During his time in Parliament, he worked on many cross-party campaigns, including support for the reform of live music licensing and fair ticketing.

UK Music represents more than 190,000 people who work in the commercial music industry.

A spokesperson for UK Music said:

“All UK Music's member organisations were actively involved in the extensive and widely advertised recruitment process for the new Chair which culminated in the appointment of Tom Watson.

“The appointment was ratified by the UK Music Board in March and widely welcomed across the music industry.”

Read the interview with Tom Watson in Music Week here.