UK festivals organisation AIF takes on major restructuring
The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has made two major changes to its senior board structure, and announced the formation of a new strategy board that will meet bi-monthly.
Following a six-year tenure, Alison Wenham and Ben Turner have stepped down as chair and vice chair respectively at the London-based trade association representing more than 50 UK independent festival organizers.
Ben Turner, who co-founded the AIF with UK DJ Rob Da Bank, still remains directly active in the organisation, and AIF continues to be a subsidiary of the British indie-labels trade organisation Association of Independent Music (AIM), where Wenham is chairman/CEO.
At the AIF, Turner has been succeeded by Jim Mawdsley, CEO of leading music-development agency Generator, as chair, while John Rostron, former CEO of the Welsh Music Foundation and founder of Sŵn Festival, is the new vice chair.
Turner says: “We are incredibly proud of how far AIF has come. It was Robby’s vision to unite the independents, and together with Alison Wenham and AIM, we feel we have created a powerful group of likeminded promoters who care passionately and fiercely about the indie sector.”
Meanwhile, the new strategy board recently formed will meet bi-monthly “to provide governance, guidance and accountability on plans” that will be implemented by the AIF’s executive team.
The strategy board will function as a board of directors to AIF and will shape the strategic direction of the organisation.
Members of the strategy board (and the festivals they are involved in) include:
Ben Turner (Graphite /Bestival)
Rob Da Bank (Bestival)
Stuart Galbraith (Kilimanjaro Live/Sonisphere)
Ali McLean/DHP Family (No Tomorrow)
John Empson (Eden Sessions)
Freddie Fellowes (Secret Garden Party)
Rob Challice (Larmer Tree)
Andy Smith (Kendal Calling)
Hugh Philimore (Cornbury)
Sid Sharma (Shambala)
[Juliana Koranteng]