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Managers are the new A&R Developers of Talent

Emma Stakes

Emma Stakes

With over 20 years of experience in the music and creative industries, Emma has built a
dynamic career spanning artist development, music publishing, business consulting,
and education. A passionate advocate for the Northern creative sector, she returned to
her roots in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, to champion regional talent and opportunities.

In 2024, Emma was honoured to be part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority
(WYCA) team on the Mayor’s government trade mission to the US, heading up the
music, arts, and cultural division in Nashville. She is excited to be collaborating with the
renowned Production Park on high-profile projects set to launch in 2025.

Throughout her career, Emma has worked with celebrity clients, global brands, and
hedge fund catalogue acquisition companies, providing expertise in business
development, creative consulting, and artist sessions. Her collaborations include key
trade bodies, such as facilitating partnerships like Tileyard’s collaboration with AIM. As
part of the newly launched West Yorkshire Music Network, she is proud to help foster
opportunities for local talent.

Emma began her career as a vocalist and songwriter, achieving international success
with major publishing and record deals before transitioning into artist management,
A&R, and music publishing. Career highlights include contributing to X Factor, Britain’s
Got Talent, and America’s Got Talent, as well as consulting for labels like Universal
Music, Virgin Records USA, and BMG.

Currently, she is the director of Reimagine Records, where she works with leading rights
holders like Hipgnosis Songs to develop contemporary versions of iconic songs. These
projects breathe new life into timeless classics, increasing their value for sync,
commercial releases, and other platforms in today’s music market.

Education has been a cornerstone of Emma’s work. She has lectured at Leeds Arts
University, Tileyard Education, and Huddersfield University, and served as Head of
Vocals and Songwriting on the MA degree program. Most recently, she co-wrote a
songwriting and production course for CAPA College, where she mentors and vocal
coaches aspiring talent.

Beyond music, Emma has gained experience in television, branding, and post-
production, contributing to projects like James Bond: Quantum of Solace and
Shameless. Her time at The Beanstalk Group also provided her with unique insights into
brand advertising.

Emma is passionate about fostering creativity, building communities, and elevating the
Northern music scene.

Zoë Wren

Zoë Wren

Zoë Wren is an independent musician and one-half of the duo Roswell Road, bringing years of live performance experience to stages including Glastonbury Festival, Costa Festival Ibiza, and official showcases at Folk Music Ontario in Canada and Your Roots Are Showing in Ireland. As Roswell Road, signed to booking agency Midnight Mango, Zoë has opened for artists like Catherine McGrath and Dea Matrona and attended MiCannes as showcase artists last year. With a career spanning fully independent projects to collaborations with industry professionals, Zoë offers a unique perspective on navigating the music landscape, both solo and with a team. Always keen to share her experience with fellow artists, she has hosted a panel on music livestreaming at TwitchCon Amsterdam, and appeared as a panelist at Folk Music Ontario.

Known for her rhythmic fingerstyle guitar and a voice that Folk Radio UK says ‘evokes Joni Mitchell at her very best,’ Zoë delivers contemporary folk with bold retellings of traditional stories. Since her start as a London Underground busker, she’s performed on stages like Cambridge Folk Festival, opened for Ralph McTell, and had her debut album Reckless River named Fatea’s Debut Album of the Year. Her songs, featured on BBC Radio 2, London Live, and Clash Magazine, have drawn support from the Alan Surtees Trust, the Drake YolanDa Award, and her Twitch community, where livestreams weekly to thousands globally as a Twitch Partner. A PRS Lynsey de Paul Prize winner, Zoë has also appeared on BBC One’s The One Show for her work with music and dementia with charity Live Music Now, showcasing her broader holistic work within the industry.

Stewart Young

Stewart Young

He has also managed AC/DC, Cyndi Lauper, David Lee Roth, M People, and The Scorpions.

BSC at London School of Economics

Chartered Account FCA

1972 to date managed Emerson, Lake and Palmer and control their publishing and master recordings

1973 formed and ran Manticore Records through 1981

1981 to 1985 Billy Squier through 3 platinum albums

1985 Tears for Fears in the USA. Songs from the Big Chair over 3 million copies

1984 to 1993 AC/DC

1981 to 1996 Gary Moore

1993 to 2002 Scorpions

1998 to 2003 UB40

1991 to date Foreigner

1993 to 1995 Cyndi Lauper including 12 Deadly Cyns and then some 4 million record

1993 to 1996 David Lee Roth

2002 to date Zucchero

2009 to date Partners in Exhibition Business Days of the Dinosaur

Presented in: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Israel, France, Germany, Ukraine, Denmark

Henry Semmence

Henry Semmence

Henry began his career in the music industry in 1973, starting off in retail at Bonaparte Records in Bromley. He then moved to Phonogram Records (Universal) and spent a year in New York importing records during the British Invasion. After that, he worked with the first independent retail promotions team, Bullet Promotions, where he managed and ran the sales and promotions.

In 1989, Henry established The Total Record Company, one of the first boutique “bolt on distribution” companies. This innovative business model broke the mould of distribution in the UK by using a major company’s infrastructure while remaining independent. Later, in 1998, he founded Absolute Marketing and Distribution (now known as Absolute Label Services), the world’s first label services business with a diverse range of clients, including artists and labels. He also created Absolute Rights Management (ARM), a rights collection agency that works directly with collective management organizations (CMOs) worldwide.

Throughout his career, Henry has worked with a wide range of clients in various genres, both major and independent. He has extensive experience in all aspects of the music industry, including marketing, administration, distribution, promotion, and rights management. He also possesses a deep understanding of digital distribution and marketing. His passion for the music industry and his expertise make him a valuable asset in navigating its future.

In addition to his professional achievements, Henry has been actively involved in industry organizations. He served on the AIM board for five years, collaborated with Nordoff & Robbins on the “2000” committee, and was elected as an independent representative to the BPI main council in 2016. He is also a board member of the Official Chart Company (OCC) and a Trustee of The BRITS.

Outside of work, Henry is a season ticket holder at Crystal Palace FC and enjoys playing golf, despite having a high handicap. He maintains his fitness by regularly using the gym and has a passion for traveling and good food. 

SImon Napier-Bell

Simon Napier-Bell

Simon needs no introduction, he is nothing less than a music industry legend. He is known as a top record producer, music manager, author and journalist. Last year’s recipient of the MiCannes “Best Music Documentary” Award, Simon Napier-Bell, returns this year to participate in the 3D CGI Live Shows and Personality Rights Panel.  Simon is a true legend of the biz, probably best known for managing Wham! And George Michael, and of course the Yardbirds, Japan and Asia, as well as writing Dusty’s hit: “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me”.  He is a legendary author, with books such as “White Powder Black Vinyl” to his credit, and is currently directing the “MARQUEE – Birthplace of Rock” documentary. At different times, he has managed artists as diverse as the Yardbirds, John’s Children, Marc Bolan, Japan, Sinead O Connor, Ultravox, Boney M, Wham! and George Michael among others. Simon directed and produced the recent Channel 4 documentary about his long time management client and friend, George Michael. “George Michael – Portrait of an Artist” He has also found time to write two volumes of music history. He has also written two memoirs about his own experiences in the music industry.