AIM Announces First Ever Board Co-Chairs

For the very first time, the Association of Independent Music (AIM) has split its Chair on the Board of Directors between two people.

This week, the organisation confirmed Junior Foster and Aly Gillani for the position.

Foster is currently Head of Digital Partnerships at Because Music / London Records, while Gillani works as Director of First Word Records and, until recently, was Artist & Label Relations Lead at Bandcamp

“I’m delighted to be stepping into the role of co-chair with Junior,” Gillani said in a statement. “Being able to represent and advocate for the independent music community is a huge responsibility, and one that I’m deeply honoured to have been trusted with.”

Foster added: “I’m incredibly proud to become co-chair of AIM alongside Aly. It’s an honour to represent the independent labels and people who bring such creativity, passion and ambition to music. I can’t wait to get started and champion this extraordinary community.”

The pair replace Ruth Barlow, Director of Live Licensing at Beggars Group. After three years as Chair, Barlow will leave both the role and her board seat at AIM’s Annual General Meeting in London on Thursday, November 19th.

“It’s been a privilege to champion a sector I care so passionately about at a time when genuine independence has never been more important to uphold,” Barlow said. “After three incredibly rewarding, and at times challenging, years as AIM’s Chair, I couldn’t be happier to be handing over to two excellent board members, Aly and Junior, who together bring a wealth of experience as well as different and hugely complementary perspectives.”

Foster and Gillani will make their first address to AIM’s membership at the AGM, which will also reveal four new members of AIM’s Board of Directors.

AIM CEO Gee Davy said Barlow had “set a high bar” for her successors.

“Ruth has been an incredibly supportive Chair during the first years of my tenure as CEO, and it’s been a privilege to work so closely with someone so knowledgeable, dedicated and clear on the importance of independence in music to the health of the market and culture,” Davy said. “It is fitting that, as we end the year in which our annual guiding theme has been ‘Collective Strength’, AIM sees its first ever co-chairs.”