Wise Music Group, one of the world’s leading independent music publishing companies, has announced that Wiebke Busch has been appointed as Managing Director, UK Rights Companies. Busch succeeds James Rushton, who retired from the business at the end of 2020, following a career with the group spanning over forty years.
The UK rights companies publish in a wide range of genres, from historic and contemporary classical music and media music through to popular songs spanning evergreen, jazz, reggae, blues, pop and rock.
Busch has been with the group since 1997, first working in the Promotion team in London before transferring to Berlin. As Director of Wise Music Classical Berlin and joint Group Head of Promotion she is a key and influential figure in the Promotion and Rights teams globally.
Speaking about the appointment Wiebke Busch comments:
‘I am thrilled and honoured to take on the role for Wise Music Group of Managing Director, UK Rights. It will be exciting to continue working for truly unique composers and writers and with an inspiring team. I am confident that we will creatively grow the potential of Wise Music Group’s rights.’
David Holley, Group Managing Director, Wise Music Group comments:
‘We are delighted to appoint Wiebke to this important role within Wise Music Group. Wiebke already has extensive knowledge of our business, both in the UK and round the world, and enjoys strong relationships with our writers. She has big shoes to fill with James having retired but I’m confident that Wiebke will lead the UK team with great creativity, attention to detail and drive to optimise the success of our writers and of the UK business.’
James Rushton, Group Head of Classical Publishing, says:
‘I have worked closely with Wiebke for many years and offer my many congratulations to her on her appointment to this key position within Wise Music Group. It is perhaps not very generous of me to be handing over the baton at this time of difficulties caused by COVID-19 to the live music industry, but if anyone can face up to and address the challenges of today – and make the most of the opportunities – it is Wiebke.’