About the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA):
Established in 2008, we are a not-for-profit trade body and membership organisation.
The SMIA’s mission is to…
Create and nurture a diverse, accessible and inclusive membership community that reflects the full spectrum of Scotland’s music industry
Ensure that Scotland’s music industry has an effective voice within government, parliament and development organisations that facilitates understanding and awareness of key opportunities and challenges
Produce and support projects and programmes to stimulate sustainability, domestic and international growth, development and innovation
In order to strengthen and increase the value of Scotland’s music industry both at home and on the world stage; economically, socially and culturally.
The SMIA receives regular funding from Creative Scotland, the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here.
Creative Scotland distributes funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery.
Our Membership
We currently support a network of over 4,000 music practitioners.
We want everyone working in – or aspiring to work in – music in Scotland to be an SMIA member. Whatever point you’re at in your career, whatever genre of music you work in and wherever in Scotland you’re based; the SMIA exists to support you.
Our membership is free, to find out more click here.
Our Projects and Programmes
From celebrating outstanding Scottish albums through the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award to fostering innovation in the music business, our projects and programmes resonate with the ethos of empowerment and growth. Delve into our flagship initiatives, partnerships and collaborations, and see how we’re working with our membership to shape the future of Scotland’s music industry. Learn more about our efforts here.
Our Academic Partners
We work with further and higher education institutes as Academic Partners to support and develop the future talent pipeline of Scotland’s music industry.
Our Academic Partnerships bridge the gap between education and the evolving music industry; ensuring that skills are mapped to industry needs to enhance employability and drive sector growth.
From course accreditation to guest lectures to placement opportunities, we work to ensure the next generation of music industry professionals are equipped and inspired for the future. We’re proud to be working with UHI Perth, endorsing their BA Hons in Music and BA Hons in Music Business programmes.
SMIA Executive Team
Robert Kilpatrick [he/him]
CEO and Creative Director
Having been involved in the SMIA since 2014, Robert has spent over a decade building the organisation in a range of executive roles; delivering work to support and champion Scotland’s music industry.
With a proven track record in creative and strategic direction, project management, leadership and business development, Robert was appointed CEO and Creative Director in 2023. He leads the SMIA’s executive team, and he is responsible for designing, developing and implementing an effective company strategy; working with the SMIA board to fulfil the company’s mission.
Since 2017, Robert has led the development and delivery of the SMIA’s flagship project and Scotland’s national music prize; the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. The SAY Award has grown year on year, and it has now distributed over £390,000 in prize money to Scottish artists since its inception in 2012.
Robert is part of the Scottish Government’s Culture Fair Work Taskforce, a member of the Glasgow Cultural Forum and a Patron of the Music Venue Trust.
Aja Garrod-Prance [she/her]
General Manager
Aja joined the SMIA in 2024 as General Manager. Their role involves the day-to-day management of the SMIA’s business operations, including overseeing the successful delivery of our annual programme of services, projects and events; supporting the work of the wider executive team. They also work with our partners across SMIA projects and programmes, building effective relationships to support the SMIA’s strategic objectives.
Originally from the South of England, Aja has worked in a number of roles across the creative industries including operations, event programming and production, and funding. For the last four years, their career has focussed on talent development, funding support for grassroots music organisations and emerging music creators through roles at the PRS Foundation and Youth Music. They relocated from London to Glasgow in 2023.
Vahishtai Ghosh [they/them]
Equalities and Industry Development Officer
As the Equalities and Industry Development Officer at the SMIA, Vahishtai supports lasting, care-based change in Scotland’s music sector. Their role focuses on embedding inclusive, accessible, and accountable practices across the industry as a rethinking of how it is built, sustained, and imagined. Through policy development, consultation, outreach and review, their aim is to help shape a creative ecosystem where EDIA is embedded into every practice, process, and decision — an ongoing, urgent, and collective goal.
They bring strong project management experience, having led multi-partner initiatives at the intersection of the arts, culture and social change with the award-winning nonprofit Arts Help and as well as Billboard Canada, the country’s edition of the iconic music publication.
With an academic background in history and formative roots in the sprawling, polyphonic city of Mumbai, Vahishtai’s practice is grounded in context, attuned to ongoing learning and the richness of divergent narratives, and informed by their lived experience. They are committed to building a music industry that not only reflects the people within it, but is shaped by them at every level.
Daria Jaszcz [she/her]
Marketing & Communications Executive
Daria joined SMIA in 2023 as the Marketing & Communications Executive. Her job includes handling social media, website, and marketing efforts. She also works on the SMIA’s communications strategy and manages its website, social media, and other digital channels such as the monthly newsletter. She is a key contact for members, providing support across all digital communication platforms.
Daria is an experienced digital marketer working across a variety of industries, with a background in working with charities and the third sector. She earned her Masters in Music: Creative Industries from the University of the West of Scotland in 2022.
SMIA Board
Anneliese Harmon
Non-Executive Director (Co-Chair)
Anneliese Harmon is a multifaceted music, entertainment, film, and brand professional with over 25 years of experience in music management, international marketing, and business development leadership. She has worked with both major and independent artists and companies, shaping global strategy and creating impactful business blueprints. Anneliese has also played a key role within the UK music industry’s trade organisations and working groups, driving strategy on digital burnout, mental health, tech and AI, equality, and diversity — bringing a distinctive voice and perspective to the industry.
Sarah Johnston
Non-Executive Director (Co-Chair)
Sarah Johnston has over a decade of experience working within the music distribution and licensing sector. Currently the Head of Business Development at Scottish Distributor EmuBands – Sarah has honed her skills and knowledge of the global independent music landscape and is a trusted voice for labels, distributors, DSP’s and trade bodies alike.
Iain McFadden
Non-Executive Director (Treasurer)
Iain is a chartered accountant living and working in Edinburgh. He has owned his own C.A practice for over 20 years, acting for a wide range of small and medium sized businesses.
Iain has a strong interest in the Arts and acts for many of Scotland’s leading contemporary artists, musicians, theatre and Events companies.
He has also been a Trustee of several Arts charities, as Chair of Edinburgh Art Festival and Hidden Door Festival.
He is also currently a Trustee of The Homeless World Cup Foundation. He has a passion for music and theatre, especially live performance.
Ally McCrae
Non-Executive Director
With over 18 years of experience spanning the music, broadcasting, marketing, and digital content industries, Ally brings a unique blend of strategic vision and hands-on expertise to the role. Having driven sustained growth for artists, spearheaded UK-wide projects at the BBC, and launched new digital channels and formats at Channel 4, as well as a stint as a national radio presenter, Ally has a proven track record in fostering talent, building sustainable growth, and navigating complex creative environments. His work consistently champions the new; with equality, diversity, inclusion, and access at the forefront. As a dedicated advocate for Scottish creativity and a long-standing member of the music community, Ally is committed to leveraging his extensive knowledge and collaborative approach to strengthen the SMIA’s impact and help build new opportunities for Scotland’s music industry.
Andy Duggan
Non-Executive Director
Andy Duggan has been a live music agent for over 20 years, previously at Primary Talent International, before joining WME in 2021. His current roster includes Kano, Self Esteem, Shygirl, Django Django, Jockstrap, Santigold, Mount Kimbie, Neneh Cherry, Alfa Mist & Greentea Peng.
David Mogendorff
Non-Executive Director
David has spent the last 25 years navigating the music industry’s digital evolution. His journey has taken him from MTV, where he spearheaded talent bookings for flagship shows and partnered with global superstars, to YouTube, where he redefined the platform’s value proposition for UK artists like Stormzy, Dave and AJ Tracey and created award-winning partnerships with Gorillaz and Elton John.
Most recently, he led the EMEA music team at TikTok, crafting the company’s artist strategy, onboarding and coaching hundreds of artists of all levels and genres, and overseeing record-breaking live streams like Ed Sheeran’s. His insights and innovative approach have significantly shaped how music artists and digital media intersect today, and he now shares his experience and insights via his personal consultancy, DMog.
Dougie Brown
Non-Executive Director
Dougie Brown is based in the Highlands of Scotland and works across a number of areas in the music and events industry including, producing Scotland’s largest camping music festival, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (26,000 cap), being a director of the one day traditional/folk festival, The Gathering (5,000 cap) and managing Scottish singer-songwriter Katie Gregson-MacLeod as director of Into the Light Management.
Horse McDonald
Non-Executive Director
Horse is a well-loved, award-winning, legendary Scots singer-songwriter. She runs her own label – Randan She recently released her 9th studio album The Road Less Travelled
This year sees the 35th anniversary of her first album The Same Sky.
She has been inducted into the Saltire Society’s Outstanding Women of Scotland.
Her portrait by artist Roxana Halls has been acquired for the nation and hangs in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery.
“One of the finest singers in Britain” – Q Magazine
Jackie Wylie
Non-Executive Director
Jackie Wylie has been Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the National Theatre of Scotland since 2017.
Edinburgh-born Wylie gained a First Class MA in Film and Television and Theatre Studies from The University of Glasgow and then worked in film and television production.
During her tenure as Artistic Director of The Arches from 2008-2015 Jackie transformed the venue into one of Europe’s most celebrated multi-arts venues while supporting and nurturing new Scottish talent. She developed a host of contemporary Scottish artists, commissioning innovative new work that then toured the UK and internationally. Jackie created the Behaviour festival, which brought globally renowned international artists and companies to Glasgow.
In 2016 she went on to found Take Me Somewhere, a Glasgow-wide international performance festival based at the Tramway.
While at the National Theatre of Scotland, Jackie’s programme of work has included the musical Orphans by Douglas Maxwell – an adaptation of Peter Mullan’s 1998 film; The Fifth Step, a new by play by David Ireland, directed by Finn den Hertog now running in the West End; Adam – a new play by Frances Poet, directed by Cora Bissett, created with which was also produced for BBC Scotland/BBC Arts; Hannah Lavery’s Lament For Sheku Bayoh with the Edinburgh International Festival, My Left Right Foot with Birds of Paradise theatre company and Medea, a new version of Liz Lochhead’s classic Scots text directed by Michael Boyd.
Jackie has been a fellow of the Clore leadership programme, was made an honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Glasgow and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Jen Anderson
Non-Executive Director
Jen Anderson has worked in the music industry for almost 20 years in various roles for various companies, including Sound Travels Live as a tour manager and coordinator, DF Concerts as a promoter, King Tuts Recordings as a label manager and Back Yard Music as head of business affairs.
She currently splits her time between the music industry and academia, running her own music company – The Bothy Society (focusing on Contemporary Scottish Trad), as well as working as a live booking agent for Apex Music International, an A&R Scout for Universal-owned Fiction Records and has worked as a senior lecturer and module leader at Point Blank Music School since 2012.
Jonathan Tait
Non-Executive Director
Jonathan is currently the Rights Manager for STV, the largest broadcaster in Scotland where he looks after acquisitions and rights for the STV Player, music clearances and all matters of legal and business affairs matters. Before this, he spent nearly 20 years in the music industry working in A&R, artist management, tour management, as a rehearsal and studio owner and then latterly in music education before re-training as an IP and entertainment lawyer in 2016 and helping to head up BTO BeCreative. Jonathan is also a consultant who advises artists, new and established music industry professionals right across the whole industry. He is a mentor for the creative arts sector through Napier University as well as a Director for the Scottish Music Industry Association and the Academy of Music & Sound.
Mark Douglas
Non-Executive Director
Mark is the Chief Information Officer at PPL and DDEX board member. As a member of PPL’s Executive Management team, he is responsible for all aspects of PPL’s technology and data systems. Outside PPL’s core systems, Mark has played a key role in a range of critical industry initiatives including RDx, the recording repertoire data exchange, and VRDB, the SCAPR database to improve the flow of cross border payments between performer collecting societies.
Prior to joining PPL in 2011, Mark was a partner in the technology consulting practice at Deloitte where he served a broad range of media clients across TV, music and film. Mark was born and educated in Dunfermline, gained a degree in Computer Science and Accountancy at Heriot Watt University, and qualified as a Scottish Chartered Accountant in 1990. For the past few years, he has been a regular contributor to Music Business Worldwide where he comments on data and technology matters within the music industry.
Sharon Riley
Non-Executive Director
Sharon Riley is a music lawyer with 18 years of experience spanning legal, commercial, and trade body roles. She is currently a Director of Business and Legal Affairs at Virgin Music Group, where she is responsible for a high volume of complex global commercial agreements with artists and labels.
Sharon’s career has bridged both the independent and major label sectors, giving her valuable insight and experience across the recorded music industry.
Before joining Virgin Music Group, she held positions at the Association of Independent Music (AIM), the Worldwide Independent Network (WIN) and the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), where she advocated for the growth and sustainability of the independent sector.
Tom Gallacher
Non-Executive Director
With over 20 years in the industry, Tom has led campaigns across catalogue and frontline at both major and independent labels, evolving from a digital specialist into a leadership role running Rhino, Warner Music’s catalogue division, in the UK, working across numerous legendary catalogues including David Bowie, Kate Bush, Prince, Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Tina Turner, Madonna and the Notorious B.I.G
Family matters brought Tom back to Glasgow last year, where he launched his own consultancy firm, with the goal of working with artists and labels on data informed catalogue analysis, allowing them to better understand their audience and create campaigns that tie creative with commercial. Initial clients include VP Records, New Order and Sigur Rós.
Thursa Sanderson
Non-Executive Director
Thursa Sanderson OBE is Chief Executive of Drake Music Scotland which champions disabled artists, creating opportunities for them to work in the music industry. DMS offers progression routes at all levels, from young people learning basic skills to professional opportunities. Thursa’s interests are in the diversification of the sector and support for those experiencing barriers.
SMIA History
Previous Board Chairs:
Jen Hunter 2023-2024 / Nick Stewart 2023 / Dougal Perman 2016 – 2023 / Stewart Henderson 2010 – 2016
Previous Executives:
Ronnie Gurr 2022 – 2023 / Jason Edwards 2021 – 2022 / Dougal Perman 2016 – 2021 (P/T)