ARIA appoints Natalie Waller as chair

ABC veteran Natalie Waller is the new chair of ARIA.

Currently serving as Head, ABC Music & Events, Waller was elected by a unanimous decision from the ARIA board, sources tell TIO.

Waller has clocked-up more than 23 years’ service with the Corporation, joining in 1998 in the ABC Music business team and rising into various roles, including Business Manager.

At ABC Music, she has worked across various genres, mainly specialising in homegrown music and championing niche genres, and she works with several well-known ABC music brands, including triple j.

In addition to her ongoing role with the ABC, Waller serves as Vice Chair on the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA) board and is part of the Country Music Association (CMA) Australian Task Force, and, since 2019, as a board member of ARIA.

“It is an absolute honour to be elected as ARIA’s new Chair,” she says in a statement. “At this time of change and challenge for the Australian music industry, I’m determined to give my all to
continuing ARIA’s mission of championing our fantastic artists and industry. I’m thoroughly excited to get to work with the Board, Annabelle and the ARIA team.”

Waller’s appointment will be seen as the completion of a culture shift at ARIA, which is now helmed by Annabelle Herd, the trade body’s first female CEO.

As chair of ARIA, Waller succeeds Denis Handlin, who was rotated out from the position after his high-profile departure from Sony Music Australia and New Zealand.

Waller takes the ARIA role for a two-year term, effective immediately.

Two years ago, Waller was one of four new directors, all female, appointed to the board of ARIA, following sweeping changes to its constitution, ushered-in to better reflect the diversity and inclusiveness of the recorded music industry.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Natalie as the new Chair of ARIA,” comments Herd.

“During her time on the Board, she has demonstrated an incredible knowledge of the scope and diversity of the Australian music landscape. We are thoroughly looking forward to the next two years and continuing our mission to communicate the true economic and cultural value of our amazing recording industry.”

This article originally appeared on The Industry Observer, which is now part of The Music Network.