Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Cliff Fluet, partner at Lewis Silkin, MD of Eleven Advisory, and now Chair of Music Technology UK. Cliff has spent decades helping artists, managers, rights holders, and tech companies navigate the complicated world of law, licensing, and innovation, from the rise of digital media, to the current era of generative AI. The pair chat about launching the first Music Tech UK Report, the real state of AI in music, the economic importance of ca...
Jul 13, 2025•1 hr
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by legendary label exec, David Massey, whose career has spanned over 40 years at labels such as Epic, Sony, Mercury, Island, and most recently Arista Records. Fresh off his retirement from corporate life, Massey reflects on working with global artists like Oasis, Shakira, Shawn Mendes, and The Killers, while offering his perspective on the music industry’s evolution. During the week leading up to the big Oasis reunion, the pair chat about br...
Jul 06, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week we celebrate our 50th episode and Mark is joined by Jim King, CEO of AEG Europe’s Festival Division. Jim is the driving force behind some of the UK’s biggest live music events, including American Express presents BST Hyde Park, All Points East, and newly launched Lido Festival. The pair chat backstage at BST Hyde Park to reflect on a career that spans Creamfields, Bestival, RockNess, and building AEG’s festival empire. Jim shares hard-earned insights on fes...
Jun 29, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Alison Howe, Executive Producer of Music at BBC Studios, and the driving force behind the BBC’s epic Glastonbury TV coverage. With over 30 years at the BBC and a background spanning Radio 1, Later with Jools Holland, and iconic music specials, Alison shares her journey from secretarial college to being the BBC’s go-to for live music broadcasting. The pair chat leading up to the world-renowned Glastonbury festival to talk about behind the ...
Jun 22, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Geoff Ellis, CEO of DF Concerts, the Scottish live music powerhouse behind TRNSMT Festival, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, and countless shows across Scotland. Celebrating 40 years in the industry, Geoff shares the lessons learned from a life spent promoting the biggest stars, including Oasis, Radiohead, and Pulp. The pair talk during one of the busiest live music summers ever to talk about festival economics, artist ticket pricing, grassroots...
Jun 15, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Johan Lagerlof, Managing Partner of Pophouse Entertainment, the company with catalogue investments in artists like KISS, Avicii and Swedish House Mafia, the founding investors of ABBA Voyage. With a background spanning Spotify, Warner Music, and a career as a songwriter and entrepreneur, Johan unpacks how immersive tech, catalogue strategy, and legacy storytelling are shaping the next generation of music experiences. Recorded during SXS...
Jun 08, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Kim Frankiewicz, EVP Worldwide A&R at Concord Music Publishing, and a true veteran of the global business. From INXS and the Aussie pub circuit, to signing Mark Ronson and Daft Punk, Kim has seen it all. Now she leads one of the most respected publishing teams in the world. Mark sits down with Kim at the studio of artist merch company whynow Music to talk about her journey from live promotions in Australia, to top-level publishing rol...
Jun 01, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Jamie Oborne, founder of Dirty Hit Records and All On Red Management, and the guiding force behind The 1975, Bleachers, The Japanese House, and more. Jamie shares his journey from artist to manager to label boss, building one of the most influential independent operations in the UK music industry. Mark joins Jamie at Dirty Hit HQ for a candid conversation about building artist-first businesses, dealing with viral fame and controversies,...
May 25, 2025•1 hr
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down and chats with multi-platinum UK songwriter and creative entrepreneur, Jin Jin. With hits for Jess Glynne, Raye, Jax Jones, David Guetta, Becky Hill, Sabrina Carpenter, and many more, the pair discuss the songwriting economy, streaming reform, creative development, and what it takes to build a sustainable career behind the scenes. Recorded during Ivors week, Jin Jin reflects on her own Ivor nomination, why songwriters still struggle to get p...
May 18, 2025•52 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! Mark is joined at Dolby Labs in Soho by Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy. On top of Roberto’s vast career spanning PRS, Bug Music, Downtown, Believe and Utopia, they also chat about the future of songwriting, streaming reform, AI, and championing composer rights. Roberto brings a unique perspective on music publishing, rights management, and the industry’s shifting power dynamics and also explores his drive to protect, empower, and celebrate songwriters - not j...
May 11, 2025•54 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined live by Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment) and chair of the Liverpool City Region Music Board, at the UK Music Academic Partnership event in Liverpool. As a figure at the forefront of the grassroots levy, Jon explains the reasoning behind it and how he sees the future of the scheme. The pair also chat about the current state of the UK live industry, how LIVE is working across government and industry to ...
May 04, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Tony Harlow, CEO of Warner Music UK, to explore his career journey from jazz records to the boardroom, and what it means to lead a major record label in the era of AI, streaming, and cultural shifts. During their chat at Warner HQ in London, they talk about Tony’s early days in record stores and at Blue Note Records, his global adventures across Australia and the US, and the lessons learnt from running labels like V2 and working with some...
Apr 27, 2025•1 hr 8 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Robert Horsfall and Sonia Diwan, founding partners of Sound Advice. As leaders of one of the UK’s most respected law firms for artists, songwriters, and music entrepreneurs, from brokering major label deals to championing fairer contracts in the streaming age, Robert and Sonia bring decades of experience - and plenty of stories - to the table. Mark joins them at TYX Studios to talk about the evolving role of the music lawyer, the legal ...
Apr 13, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with one of the most respected managers in rock and metal, Craig Jennings, CEO of Raw Power Management. Craig shares his stories of shaping the careers of some of the biggest names in the business, including Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, and many more. Craig also discusses his journey from the early days of the industry, to managing arena-filling rock bands. He shares insights into what makes a great manager, how artists can...
Apr 06, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark sits down with Megan Ogleby-Page, Head of Operations at ERA and key figure behind Record Store Day UK. Megan shares her insights on the evolution of physical music retail, the resurgence of vinyl and indie record stores, and how Record Store Day has become a cultural phenomenon. They also talk about Megan's journey into the industry, the challenges of running a major event like Record Store Day, and the future of physical music retail in an increasing...
Mar 30, 2025•57 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by legendary punk rock executive, Louis Posen, founder of Hopeless Records. This week, Mark catches up with Louis in Los Angeles during Musexpo week to reflect on 30 years of independent label life, how Hopeless started as a dare, the realities of the modern streaming economy, and what it really means to stay punk in a changing industry. Louis also shares how losing his eyesight at 19 shaped his approach to life and business, why he still be...
Mar 24, 2025•56 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by a 30 year veteran of the music industry, The Colonel, Nick Stewart. During their conversation they discuss the latest in the industry, including the financial polarisation of artists, how UK bands may be back on the rise and Nick explains why he thinks some genres are more valuable asset investments than others. Nick also delves into the details of his career, sharing his experiences working at the famed Island Records, working with artis...
Mar 17, 2025•59 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Dr Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives In Music. Discussing one of the biggest issues in the music industry, Charisse explains the need for everyone to step up when it comes to diversity, and for us all to come together to make a real difference. She also explores the idea of embracing new technologies such as AI, and even using them to tackle issues such as diversity and inclusion. From starting out in the telecommunications industry, ...
Mar 10, 2025•54 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by singer-songwriter Kate Nash. Digging into the current state of the music industry, Kate discusses everything from the harsh realities of touring costs, why she turned to OnlyFans, and the growing challenges artists face to making a sustainable living. From performing in the Houses of Parliament to using her voice for activism, Kate discusses finding spaces where she can make an impact. She also reflects on the enduring legacy of her hit F...
Mar 03, 2025•56 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Steve Tannett, Director of Platforms at Marshall Group. From his punk roots to a career spanning multiple sides of the music industry, Steve looks back over his career - moving from musician to label executive, publisher, and manager. He talks about rock’s lasting cultural impact, his work with artists like R.E.M., The Go-Go’s, and Ginger Baker, and the lessons he learned from I.R.S. Records boss Miles Copeland. Steve also reflects on the...
Feb 24, 2025•53 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! In this episode, Mark is joined by manager, record producer and director of Ferocious Talent, Kwame Kwaten. As well as catching up on the latest in the industry, including the Kanye controversy and canceled Oasis tickets, Kwame shares his perspective on the ever-evolving role of a manager in music, the responsibilities they're now having to take on, and what new deals should look like. The conversation also looks back on Kwame's long career in the business, including...
Feb 17, 2025•57 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! This week, Mark is joined by Peter Leathem, CEO of PPL. As well as catching up on the week’s news, including Grammy highlights and mental health provisions from labels, Peter shares his journey with PPL, discussing the changes he’s implemented and the successes he’s achieved in shaping the company’s role in the music industry. The conversation covers how PPL continues to innovate in the music space and navigate challenges such as the DCMS committee inquiry. Beyond hi...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by the CEO of Deviate Digital, Sammy Andrews. Catching up at Tileyard Studios, the conversation covers the latest news on streaming services, the future of artificial intelligence within the industry, and thoughts on misogyny in music. Sammy also shares her journey into the industry, from becoming a touring manager for Ginger Wildheart to working with The Prodigy and Annie Lennox. She explains why she adopts new technologies early and ...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark catches up with the lead singer of The Kooks, Luke Pritchard. Throughout their chat, the pair discuss the latest in the music industry, including the TikTok ban and what it means for artists, the impact of AI, and more on the Los Angeles Wildfires. Luke also talks through some of the difficulties facing young artists today and what the industry needs to do to support them, as well as sharing stories of his journey to success - including working ...
Jan 27, 2025•57 min
Welcome to The Money Trench! In this special live episode at this year's ESNS conference in Groningen, Mark is joined by Ruth Barlow from Beggars and AIM. Ruth shares stories from her journey in the music industry, from her early days at Xfm to her current role at Beggars Group and AIM. She chats about how the indie sector is feeling the squeeze, the impact of big deals like Universal’s move on PIAS, and what it all means for independent labels. We're also treated to stories from her time workin...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 1 min
Welcome to The Money Trench. In the first episode of 2025, Mark is joined by Andy Saunders, legendary PR and founder of Velocity Communications. Digging into the latest industry news, Andy shares his thoughts on the music industry's current state, including record-breaking UK music consumption and the pros and cons of dynamic ticket pricing. Reflecting on his career, he takes us behind the scenes at Creation Records during its mid-‘90s heyday, working alongside Alan McGee. He shares stories of c...
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 7 min
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Julie Weir, Director of Sony’s Music For Nations. Catching up at Sony HQ, Mark & Julie’s conversation digs into the behind the scenes of the rock & alternative industry - discussing running Julie's independent label, Visible Noise, the challenges of touring new acts, and how she is trying to fight the US industry domination. She also looks back on signing a young Bring Me The Horizon, reflecting on why they were so successfu...
Dec 16, 2024•57 min
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Steve Homer, CEO of AEG Presents. Throughout the conversation, Steve shares his insights on hot topics like the grassroots ticket levy, festival shutdowns and openings, and the ever-changing world of dynamic ticket pricing. Steve gives his thoughts and opinions as a man very much in the middle of it all! He also reflects on his journey into live music promotion, recounting memorable stories such as bringing Eminem to the UK for the ...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by author, journalist and fellow podcaster, Miranda Sawyer. Exploring themes from her new book, Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs, the conversation digs into Britpop’s enduring legacy, moving past the Blur vs. Oasis rivalry into stories about Pulp, Suede, and more, while also examining how the era’s stars coped with sudden fame. Miranda also reflects on her journey into music journalism, from landing her first role at Sma...
Dec 02, 2024•59 min
Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Mark Davyd, CEO and founder of Music Venue Trust. Catching up shortly after his front-page appearance with Katy Perry, the conversation highlights the growing international support for the Music Venue Trust, with backing from global stars and prominent UK artists. The conversion digs into the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) committee’s report on introducing an arena ticket levy, emphasizing the critical rol...
Nov 25, 2024•1 hr 6 min
