Hipgnosis Song Management (HSM), the investment adviser founded and run by Merck Mercuriadis, has made two significant appointments in its executive leadership.
Daniel Pounder has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of HSM, while Jonathan Baker has been appointed to the newly-created role of General Counsel.
HSM currently services two clients: the Blackstone-backed private fund, Hipgnosis Songs Capital, and the UK-listed Hipgnosis Songs Fund.
In his new role, Pounder will oversee Finance and Investment functions for HSM and the teams that deliver these services to Hipgnosis Songs Fund and Hipgnosis Songs Capital.
Pounder has over two decades of experience in accountancy and music finance, including senior executive roles at BMG, Viacom, Famous Music and Sony Music Publishing.
He completed his accountancy training with Deloitte and was admitted into the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales in 2003. He was subsequently admitted as a Fellow in 2013.
Pounder succeeds Chris Helm at HSM. Helm has been Chief Financial Officer on behalf of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited since its launch in 2018.
HSM says Helm is leaving to launch a new business early next year, and will work closely with Pounder on a handover process at HSM which will be completed by the end of the year.
As General Counsel of HSM, Jonathan Baker will oversee legal aspects of catalog acquisitions and day-to-day music legal and business affairs carried out on behalf of Hipgnosis Songs Fund and Hipgnosis Songs Capital.
Additionally, he will be responsible for governance and compliance matters for Hipgnosis and supporting HSM’s fund clients in this regard.
Baker will work closely with Hipgnosis’ outside counsel, including Bill Leibowitz.
Baker has almost 20 years of legal experience, including over a decade focused on the music industry across both publishing and recorded music rights. He joins HSM from BMG, where he has been General Counsel UK and EVP Legal and Business Affairs International.
Prior to joining BMG in 2012, he worked at Simkins, the media and entertainment firm. Jon studied law at the University of Warwick.
Commenting on the appointments, Merck Mercuriadis, CEO and founder of Hipgnosis Song Management, said: “It is always a priority for me to continually strengthen our executive leadership team to ensure we have the best institutional investment, finance and music capabilities and experience to deliver the next stage of development for Hipgnosis and our funds.
“It is always a priority for me to continually strengthen our executive leadership team to ensure we have the best institutional investment, finance and music capabilities and experience to deliver the next stage of development for Hipgnosis and our funds.”
Merck Mercuriadis, Hipgnosis Song Management
“This was the case starting with the appointment of Ben Katovsky as President and Chief Operating Officer one year ago and we’re delighted to welcome Dan and Jon to round out this process, particularly as this group of leaders have a proven successful chemistry of working together.
“Dan’s extensive experience and expertise in global music finance, ability to leverage data and technology and proven track record in supporting and enabling growing businesses will be of significant value to HSM and our fund clients as we work to further institutionalise the reporting and
rigour of the song asset class.
“Likewise, Jon’s experience and expertise in global music legal affairs will support our funds while allowing us to prioritise responsible governance and compliance for Hipgnosis.”
Commenting on the appointments, Ben Katovsky President and Chief Operating Officer of Hipgnosis Song Management said: “I’m delighted to be working with Jon and Dan again.
“Both are exceptional executives who have a proven and highly successful track record in music acquisition, efficiently and effectively growing music businesses and ensuring that music catalogues enjoy the lasting success that they warrant and deserve.
“To be able to tap into Dan and Jon’s expertise and experience will be invaluable to HSM as we seek to deliver exceptional service to our fund clients.”
Hipgnosis Songs Capital (HSC) was launched in late 2021 with over $1 billion in backing from Blackstone. It has to date acquired song catalogs/income streams connected to artists/writers including Justin Bieber, Leonard Cohen, Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, and Kenny Chesney.
Blackstone is also an investor in Hipgnosis Song Management (HSM).
Hipgnosis Songs Fund (HSF) trades on the London Stock Exchange and owns a portfolio of catalogs that have been valued at over USD $2.3 billion.
Earlier this week, HSF confirmed that Rob Naylor was joining its board as Chairman. Francis Keeling has also joined the HSF board as a non-exec director.Music Business Worldwide