About the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA):

Established in 2008, we are a not-for-profit trade body and membership organisation. 


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.

Brownbear performing at the SAY Award 2023 Ceremony

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.

LVRA performing at the SAY Award 2021 Ceremony after winning The Sound of Young Scotland Award.

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 photo

Robert Kilpatrick

CEO + Creative Director

Having been involved in the SMIA since 2014, Robert has spent almost 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 is responsible for designing, developing and implementing an effective company strategy; working with the SMIA company 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 has now distributed over £360,000 in prize money to Scottish artists since its inception in 2012.

Aja Garrod-Prance

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.

Daria Jaszcz photo

Daria Jaszcz

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, fashion and brand professional with over 20 years of experience in music management, international marketing, promotions and business development with both major and independent artists & companies. Specialising in global strategy and blueprints for businesses, emerging artist talent and established artists she has worked in the UK, US & key International markets, with a vast network of contacts across the global entertainment industry.

After working with Def Jam in New York , Anneliese moved to London to start her UK music career at Richard Branson’s V2 Music. She was promoted to Global Marketing Manager for V2 working with artists such as RZA, The Jungle Brothers, Kymani Marley and Liberty X. She was recruited by MTV Europe/Viacom to join the Talent and Artist Relations and Development team where she leads on projects with global superstars including Pink, Usher and Missy Elliot before returning to V2 Music UK to work on Special Priority Projects.

Anneliese then started her own global music management, branding and creative business consultancy company prior to accepting an appointment to become the GM of the UK’s Music Managers Forum, the world’s largest representative body of music managers, in 2021. In addition to creating the strategy for the MMF, Anneliese leads on Digital Burnout and Mental Health and participates in working groups focusing on AI as well as bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Sarah Johnston photo

Sarah Johnston

Non-Executive Director (Co-Chair)

Sarah Johnston has over 10 years of experience working within the music distribution and licensing sector. Currently the Client Relations Manager, EMEA for world-leading b2b music distributor, FUGA – a part of Downtown Music – 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.

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, Yussef Dayes & Greentea Peng.

David Moggendorff

Non-Executive Director

David Mogendorff is Head of EU Artist Services at TikTok. He leads a team that helps artists get the most out of the platform by making use of TikTok’s growing set of product features to build fan bases, share their music, create content, and earn revenue.

Since joining the business in 2020, TikTok has become an integral part of today’s music industry. From discovering new talent to reconnecting catalogue and older artists with new audiences, TikTok has become the place for artists to experiment and share their creativity. Prior to TikTok, David was Head of Artist Partnerships for YouTube and YouTube Music for almost five years and previously spent time at MTV Europe.

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’s currently working on her 8th studio album and was 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

Jennifer 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.

Phoebe Inglis-Holmes photo

Phoebe Inglis-Holmes

Non-Executive Director

Phoebe Inglis-Holmes is a broadcaster, DJ, writer & record label coadjutor. Phoebe’s no-stone-unturned attitude to new music has led her to host & produce shows on BBC Radio 6music; BBC Radio 1; the BBC Scotland TV channel, & beyond. Phoebe is also the host of BBC Introducing on BBC Radio Scotland, every Friday night.

Previously working in music media as a journalist & PR, Phoebe has toured extensively across the UK & international circuits both as a DJ & club-night manager in her own right; and to assist on-road with various bands & production collectives.

Thursa Sanderson photo

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)