Anthony Barnes named comms director for UK Music

Former news journalist Anthony Barnes has been appointed director of communications for lobby group UK Music.

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Barnes worked for many years as head of showbusiness, media and arts at the Press Association. He has also been arts and media correspondent at the Independent On Sunday and has held roles with Q magazine, Classic FM and Record Collector.

More recently he has worked in the media office at public service union Unison, in addition to providing consultancy work for a number of entertainment PR agencies.

Barnes will be responsible for UK Music’s internal and external comms strategy, industry campaigns and will handle reports about the state of the sector.

Reporting into UK Music’s chief executive, Jo Dipple, he takes up his new appointment on Monday (7 November) and replaces James Murtagh-Hopkins, who has joined Universal Music Group as senior director of comms.

Dipple said: “There is a copyright package going through Europe. Brexit is looming. The Digital Economy Bill is being scrutinised by Parliament. The collective voice of the music industry needs a steady hand and Anthony is the right person at the right time. I’m delighted he is joining the UK Music team.”

Barnes added: “I feel excited and privileged to be joining the team. I’m looking forward to building on UK Music’s considerable achievements in representing the successes of the industry and putting the case for change and support where it is needed.”