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The Liverpool City Region Music Board (LCRMB) has announced nine new Board Members who will help drive forward the city region’s music strategy, sustain the industry’s development, and champion local talent.
The announcement was made at a special event in Liverpool yesterday evening (20 March 2024), where key industry figures gathered to celebrate the achievements of the LCR music sector and help shape its future.
Seven of the nine new Board members. Top from left: Melissa Kains, Jade Burns, Jon Collins, Rheana Forrester, Zi Lan Liao. Bottom from left: Mel Burton, Jonathan Savage and Adrian Bell. Photo: Liverpool City Region Music Board.
Taking over from Michael Eakin, who has made an outstanding contribution as Chair of the Board, is Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE (Live music Industry, Venues and Entertainment), the organisation representing all elements of the UK’s live music sector. With a wealth of experience and industry expertise, Jon will lead the Board in continuing its mission to develop and support the Liverpool City Region’s music ecosystem.
Jon Collins, said:
“The Liverpool City Region Music Board is one of the most successful of its kind in the UK. Under Michael’s leadership and with the Mayor’s support, it has demonstrated how to unite a diverse group, set clear objectives, and deliver meaningful change.
I’m honoured to join the Board at such a pivotal time for music. Across the region, artists, venues, and the wider sector face significant challenges, as they do nationwide. However, with the Board’s commitment—particularly in collaboration with MusicFutures—we have a unique opportunity to harness our rich musical heritage, strengthen our industry, and build a diverse, vibrant, and sustainable music ecosystem for the future.”
At the event, Jon reflected on the remarkable achievements of the Music Board to date, emphasising its role in advocating for venues, securing funding, and driving innovation in the sector. He also welcomed the new fellow Board Members, who bring a diverse range of skills and experience to the table:
Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram said:
“Music has always been part of the fabric of the Liverpool City Region—it’s woven into our identity. We’re renowned, not just in the UK, but globally, for the talent that we produce. As such, it’s crucial for us to support the music sector, whether we’re talking about our venues, our artists or our future development.
“I’d like to thank Michael Eakin for the sterling work he’s done with the Music Board so far and welcome Jon, and our new members, who I know will go above and beyond to champion our music sector and support our mission to grow, innovate and create opportunities on the global stage for the city region.”
The event, held at Camp and Furnace, was a landmark gathering for the Liverpool City Region music community, providing music professionals, artists, and businesses with an opportunity to connect, collaborate, and shape the future of the sector.
The event featured:
Established in December 2018, the Liverpool City Region Music Board is an independent, sector-led body, appointed by Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram. The Board is responsible for overseeing a strategic action plan aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability and development of the local music sector.
The Board is tasked with delivering key priorities identified in the 2018 Developing a Liverpool City of Music Strategy report, focusing on:
With the appointment of its new members and the ongoing implementation of major initiatives such as MusicFutures, the Board remains committed to strengthening Liverpool’s position as a global music city and ensuring that local talent and businesses thrive.
