An invigorating evening at the IET London, Savoy Place, WC2, courtesy of UK Music and their annual summer party. So many from the music industry and politics were on hand to network and hear speeches from UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl, UK Music Chair Tom Watson, Culture Minister Chris Bryant and award-winning songwriter Michelle Escoffery.
It was a pleasure to catch up with PPL Chair John Smith and CEO Peter Leathem; MU’s Naomi Pohl, Dave Webster, Chris Walters and John Shortell; Sandie Shaw; journalist Mark Sutherland; Ellis Rich; Crispin Hunt; BPI’s Gennaro Castaldo; Record of the Day’s Paul Scaife; saxophonist and broadcaster YolanDa Brown; Gary Crosby of Tomorrow’s Warriors; photographer Joanna Dudderidge; national newspaper editor Dave Wooding; Tom Gray; Sybil Bell, Tony Moore and FAC’s David Martin.
There was also a well-earned acknowledgement of former APPG for Music Chair Kevin Brennan, who stepped down as an MP at the general election, for his many years supporting the industry.
Brixton Chamber Orchestra supplied the spirited live music.
My thanks to UK Music’s Oliver Morris for the invitation. Photograph: Joanna Dudderidge
