MERLIN ANNOUNCES ITS BOARD FOR 2026-27, WELCOMING FIVE NEW BOARD MEMBERS
London / New York, 13th January 2026
Merlin, the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors, kicks off 2026 by announcing its new Board, bringing together leaders from the independent music industry in 12 different countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania. The Merlin Board is elected from and by its membership, which represents tens of thousands of independent record labels, distributors, and rightsholders from around the world.
The Board members bring a wealth of experience to guide the organisation in its mission to enable and support its members’ independence. They offer the deeply informed global perspective of a range of leaders with hands-on experience navigating markets across the world.
The Board includes a mix of new and returning members.
Newly elected to the Board are: Bugwu Aneto-Okeke, Measurable Accurate Digital Solutions (Nigeria); Charles Caldas, Exceleration (Portugal); Manami Ogawa, Starbase (Japan); Rachel Buswell, Domino (UK); and Sascha Lazimbat, Zebralution (Germany).
In addition to the elected members, Merlin has appointed Dan Waite, Better Noise (UK) and Verónica Rojas, Casete (Mexico) as Board Observers.
Re-elected to the Merlin Board and continuing their service are: Carlos Mills, Mills Records (Brazil); Chris Maund, Mushroom (Australia); Darius Van Arman, Secretly Group (US); Golda Bitterli, Revelator (Israel); Justin West, Secret City Records (Canada); Louis Posen, Hopeless Records (US); Marie Clausen, Ninja Tune (US); Megan Jasper, Sub Pop (US); Pascal Bittard, IDOL (France); and Tom Deakin, AudioSalad (UK).
Beggars Group and Merlin founder Martin Mills will continue to serve as a Director of Merlin Network, the organisation’s parent entity, alongside Darius Van Arman, who continues as Merlin Chairperson, and Merlin CEO, Charlie Lexton.
Merlin would like to extend its appreciation to all of its outgoing Board Members. Merlin thanks Eniko Gallasz (WMMusicDistribution), Fer Isella (limbo music), Jeffrey Chiang (Fluxus), Jennifer Newman Sharpe (Exceleration), Michael Ugwu (Freeme Digital), and Simon Wheeler (Beggars) for their service and contributions to the organisation.
“We are delighted to welcome our new Board Members, each of whom brings a unique and high value perspective to Merlin,” said Charlie Lexton, CEO, Merlin. “Merlin’s dedication to delivering unique benefits and best in class deals is at the heart of our mission. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, our Board’s experience across markets and business types is an invaluable resource in ensuring we continue to deliver premium value to our members around the world.”
About Merlin
Merlin is the digital music licensing partner for the world’s leading independent labels and distributors. We’ve negotiated premium deals with Apple, Canva, Deezer, Meta, Spotify, YouTube, and 40 other innovative platforms around the world. Our global membership is from 70+ countries around the world, representing 15% of the recorded music market. Merlin operates for the benefit of its members, without investors looking for an exit, and is funded entirely by our low 1.5% admin fee. Merlin helps the world’s leading independents to own their digital business through world-class deals and white-glove support.
Merlin’s membership includes independents such as !K7, AEI Music, Armada Music Group, AudioSalad, Because, Better Noise, Domino Recording Co., Duetti, Empire, Exceleration Music, Freeme Digital, GYROstream, Hopeless Records, IDOL, Innercat Music, Kontor New Media, Lex Records, Mad Decent, Many Hats, Merge Records, MNRK Music Group, Mushroom Music, Ninja Tune, ONErpm, Polyvinyl Records, Reservoir, Secretly, Stones Throw, Sub Pop, Symphonic, V.P. Music Group, Wagram Music, Warp Records, Zebralution, and hundreds more.
Find out more at www.merlinnetwork.org
About IMPALA
IMPALA was established in 2000 and now represents over 6000 independent music companies in Europe. 99% of Europe’s music companies are small, micro and medium businesses and self-releasing artists. Known as the independents, they are world leaders in terms of innovation and discovering new music and artists – they produce more than 80% of all new releases and account for 80% of the sector’s jobs. IMPALA’s mission is to grow the independent music sector sustainably, return more value to artists, promote diversity and entrepreneurship, improve political access, inspire change, and increase access to finance. IMPALA works on a range of key issues for its members and started a new co-funded work programme as an EU cultural network in 2025. IMPALA runs various award schemes and has a programme aimed at businesses who want to develop a strategic relationship with the European independent sector – Friends of IMPALA
