Ian Harrison Named A2IM CEO

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Ian Harrison.

Ian Harrison has been named CEO of A2IM, effective Oct. 1.

Harrison brings more than 20 years of leadership in the independent music sector. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President of Hopeless Records, guiding campaigns for more than 300 releases, selling over 15 million copies and earning over 20 Gold and Platinum certifications as well as securing No. 1 records in both the U.S. and the U.K. His work as part of the Hopeless Foundation (Sub City) has raised over 3.5 million dollars for a variety of music and mental health charities. He has been actively involved with A2IM since 2012 as an Indie Week committee member, five-time speaker, and mentor. He also serves on the Worldwide Independent Network’s board and has previously held a board seat with the Music Business Association. He has earned recognition on Billboard’s Indie Power Players list in 2024 and 2025, as well as the 30 Under 30 list earlier in his career.

“The independent community is stronger and more dynamic than ever, yet also facing accelerating challenges that will test our resilience and adaptability. A2IM exists to ensure our members can grow independently in the face of these changes and thrive on their own terms,” shares Harrison. “I am grateful to the A2IM Board for their trust as I step into the CEO role at such a pivotal moment. I take on this responsibility with a deep commitment to serving our community. I am especially grateful to Dr. Richard James Burgess for a decade of exceptional leadership that established A2IM as a vital voice in our industry, and to Lisa Hresko and the entire A2IM team whose dedication makes our work so impactful. This includes remembering our colleague Alex Machurov, whose contributions and spirit will remain part of A2IM’s legacy. I also want to thank Louis Posen and my colleagues at Hopeless Records, where I spent the past two decades, for shaping me as a leader and deepening my commitment to this community. Independent music has been my life’s work, and I am excited to serve in this new capacity. I look forward to working closely with our members, the global trade organization community, commercial partners, and policymakers to ensure independent voices remain at the center of the music industry’s future.”

Harrison succeeds Dr. Richard James Burgess, who will step down at the end of this year following a decade of service. Burgess built Indie Week and the Libera Awards into the world’s largest independent conference and award show, respectively and has spent his career lobbying for the rights of independent artists and labels in Washington, D.C., and globally.

“I am honored to have served this extraordinary community for the past decade, and I could not be more pleased to welcome Ian Harrison as A2IM’s next CEO,” adds Burgess. “Ian’s deep experience, and lifelong commitment to independent music position him perfectly to guide A2IM into its next chapter. I look forward to supporting a seamless transition and to watching him take the organization, and the indie community it represents, to new heights.”

Lauryn Sink
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