(CelebrityAccess) – Alison Wenham is stepping down as chief executive of The Worldwide Independent Network (WIN).
Wenham, who has held the role of WIN’s full-time CEO since 2016, launched the company 20 years ago. Since then, the organization has grown from an informal global network to a highly influential champion and voice for the entire indie sector.
Commenting on the news, Wenham said in a statement announcing her departure: “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to devote two decades of my life and career to helping ensure the stability and continued growth of the independent music sector.
“Since launching AIM in 1999 I have stood shoulder to shoulder with amazing friends and colleagues as, together, we set out and then delivered a new era of respect for the role and importance of the sector. We changed attitudes towards the sector across the world, and ensured that independent music copyrights are now recognized and valued.
“I am immensely proud of all we have achieved in that time and independent music will remain a passion of mine. I have decided, however, that the time is now right, with the organization in good health, to step down from my position at WIN.” She went on to thank her colleagues for their “incredible support.”
Prior to launching WIN, Wenham established and ran the U.K.’s Association of independent Music (AIM), and later helped to set up its U.S.-focused sister organization, the American Assn. of Independent Music. She is also a founding board member of European indie label trade group IMPALA.
