UK festivals organisation AIF takes on major restructuring

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]