The Association of Independent Music (AIM), which represents over 800 UK independent music companies, has appointed a new CEO following the recent announcement that Alison Wenham is to take up a new, full-time role as CEO of Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) after 17 years at the organisation.

Paul Pacifico has been appointed the new CEO of AIM and joins from his previous role as CEO of The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), a position he has held since January 2015.  He was also President of the International Artist Organisation (‘IAO’).

In his early career, Pacifico spent almost 10 years in the City in banking and strategy consultancy before leaving to focus on Specific Music in 2005. Specific Music is a creative music consultancy which designs and delivers bespoke music for industry clients as well as brands and charities. He also set up The AllStars Collective, which is made up of 40 of the world's top session musicians.  He continues to perform and record with his band, Pacifico Blues.

Pacifico will formally take up his new post on November 1st 2016.

Since AIM was formed in 1999 its membership has diversified significantly as a result of the evolving music marketplace. As well as traditional record labels AIM’s membership now includes self-releasing artists and a wide range of companies with diverse portfolios of interests such as artist management, live music promotion, and music publishing. As a result, AIM has become increasingly aligned with the artist community and has always championed fairness and transparency with artist’s interests at the heart of its ethos. AIM is hopeful of further collaboration between independent music companies and artists moving forward.

Pacifico said, “I am incredibly excited by this new challenge and am looking forward to building on the incredible work that AIM has done on behalf of the independent music community over the last 17 yeas. The increasingly important role of independent music both culturally and commercially across the world means that, more than ever, AIM has a key role to play ensuring that our members voices are heard and that they continue to have real say in the future of our industry. I would also like, of course, to pay tribute to the amazing legacy left to me by Alison Wenham. Under her stewardship AIM has become a hugely important organization that has given the independent music community real unity and strength. We will remain close colleagues and I am looking forward to working with her in her new role at WIN.”

Alison Wenham said, “I am leaving AIM with the secure knowledge that in Paul we have someone who has the passion, energy and vision to take the organization forward. His impressive track record at The FAC, where he campaigned and lobbied tirelessly for artist’s rights demonstrates someone who has real conviction and integrity. AIM is in very safe hands under Paul and we will continue to work together to ensure that the independent music community continues to have real influence on the global stage.”

Sandie Shaw, Chairman of The FAC said, "We are delighted by Paul's appointment to replace Alison Wenham at AIM, an organisation with whom we share many goals. Over the past eighteen months having Paul, our first employed CEO, as part of the FAC team, we have together built on the heavy groundwork and hard slog of the 5000 FAC members to establish FAC as the artist’s voice. His appointment wih AIM has coincided harmoniously with the next phase of global growth for the FAC movement.  We wish him well and know that he will continue to promote the central role of the artist creator within the music industry ecostructure.”