The Executive Team
The Executive Team is your point of contact with the MIA.
Ant, Alice and Ryan work together to make the wheels turn, supporting both the Membership and the Board to deliver the strategic vision of the association. We all work remotely and on a part-time basis, our core hours are 9am to 5pm, but we will do our best to be flexible if you need help outside of these times.
Alice
General Manager
Alice has been with the MIA for eight years and manages the organisation’s day-to-day operations. She ensures everything runs smoothly through effective systems and processes, and leads the delivery of key strategic projects and events. You’re pretty much guaranteed to have an email in your inbox from her, or a call on the phone from her at some point.
Alice also founded the MIA’s Future Leaders Network, creating a space for the next generation of industry leaders to connect, share ideas, and collaborate.
Outside the MIA, Alice is a tutor at a local performing arts company, teaching singing, dancing, and acting to adults with a wide range of needs, including wheelchair users and those with Down’s syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, and Autism. She is also a proud new mum to an amazing one-year-old boy.
Alice is your main point of contact and is always happy to hear from members. You can reach out to her here.
Ant
Executive Director
Ant is the link between the Board of the MIA and the Executive Team. His role is to translate the strategic plan of the association into day to day activity & content.
Ant has been in or around the music industry twenty odd years, firstly on the retail side with Academy of Sound and then as Sales Director for Shure Microphones. He has been involved with the MIA for about 10 years, firstly as a member of the Board and now in his current role.
As you would expect he is passionate about the relationship between retail & distribution and what the future is going to look like as far as the experience of the consumer is concerned. He loves a good debate on that one.
During the rest of the working week he runs a podcast business, helping individuals and businesses share their stories, including the 9-42 podcast with Guitar Show owner Jason Hunt. Outside of that he is a lifelong Sheffield United fan & would really love a bit more time to read.
Ant is always up for a chat, and would be delighted to hear from you.
Ryan
Marketing Support
Ryan assists us with our marketing efforts, creating content and helping identify ways to help grow the viewership of the MIA.
Ryan has been working in the music industry for much of the past 15 years. Initially as a guitar tutor, working in schools and community groups, before moving into marketing and business development.
After 6 years as Senior Marketing Manager at Peach Guitars, Ryan went freelance and has since been working with a number of UK based guitar brands and builders.
Ryan is passionate about UK guitar brands, the UK has a thriving community of builders and artisans and Ryan loves discovering new brands and ideas. If you want to chat about tone woods, pickup options or analogue vs digital, Ryan is your guy.
Away from music, Ryan has no time for himself, he has 4 kids and a dog. If he did have time, he’d probably spend most of it hiking, watching Ipswich Town Football Club and reading Lord of the Rings for the 100th time.
The Board of the MIA
The Board of the MIA is made up of a diverse group of industry professionals with a board range of skills and experience. It’s a relatively small group, but it is highly engaged and meets regularly to define and review the strategic direction of the organisation. The MIA Board was last voted in at our AGM in March 2025.
Suzanne Harlow
Industry Consultant
CHAIR Suzanne is an experienced Board Director and former CEO of RSL Awards. Previously a senior retail executive at Debenhams and Jack Wills, she advises across retail and consumer sectors, serves on the MIA Board, mentors future female leaders, and supports charities including the British Heart Foundation.
Olivia Wild
Yamaha Music Europe (UK)
VICE-CHAIR Olivia brings over 15 years’ industry experience and works at Yamaha Music Europe (UK), supporting Band & Orchestral development. Formerly with Howarth of London and UK distributors, she is an MIA Board member, National Concert Band Festival Trustee, trained woodwind player and Army Reservist.
Andy Land
Focusrite
Andy is Global Head of Sustainability at Focusrite Group, with over a decade’s experience. He leads environmental strategy, governance and reporting, founded the internal Green Team, and co-founded Greening Music Tech, driving industry-wide sustainable technology for music makers.
Tom Bacon
D'Addario
Tom is General Manager of D’Addario UK, responsible for sales and marketing across the UK and Ireland and a key member of the European management team. With a background in music and retail, he also leads European business intelligence and data analytics.
Steven Greenall
Warwick Music
Steven joined the MIA Board in 2020. Founder and CEO of Warwick Music Group, he leads a carbon-neutral instrument manufacturer and Queen’s Award winner. A visiting lecturer at Warwick University, Steven is also an RFU-qualified rugby coach.
Mark Rolfe
Yamaha Music Europe (UK)
Mark holds multiple leadership roles at Yamaha, including Managing Director and Head of Sales and Marketing, and leads Yamaha Music London. A former Yamaha apprentice, he brings 38 years’ experience, focusing on sustainability, cost reduction and talent development, driven by a lifelong passion for music.
Manon Dave
Education First
Manon is an award-winning product leader and VP Product at EF Education First, leading global EdTech innovation. With over a decade in consumer technology, he has launched cutting-edge music and education products with Apple, Google and Disney, earning CES and iF awards.
Sarah Yule
Orange Amplification
Sarah is Managing Director of Orange Amplification, leading the MI and consumer business. With global leadership across music, audio and consumer electronics, she mentors startups, advocates for women in tech, speaks at industry events, held senior roles at KEF, Audio-Technica, and ROLI, and holds an Executive MBA.
Howard Gillespie
Brilliant Distribution Ltd
Howard co-founded Oasis Musical Instruments in 1989 and remains active in retail management and repair. He later established Brilliant Distribution, handling leading guitar brands. A long-standing Board member, Howard is also an active live performer and focuses on recruiting new MIA retail and distribution members.
Tom Venvell
The Sounding
Tom is a commercial leader helping purpose-driven brands grow. He co-founded The Sounding consultancy, directs Drowned in Sound, and brings 15+ years’ leadership experience as former International Director at Muse Group and Managing Director at Hal Leonard Europe, also overseeing Musicroom retail.
Jonny Brading
Presto Music
Jonny has over 20 years’ experience across printed music publishing and MI retail. Beginning in music retail, he progressed to Head of Global Sales at Music Sales Group and Hal Leonard, before returning to retail business development at Presto Music, focusing on commercial growth and strategy.
Craig Buckley
Drum 1 Ltd
Craig has worked across MI, professional and commercial audio since 1985, owning and managing manufacturing, distribution and retail businesses. He currently runs DRUM 1 Ltd, TIDY AV Ltd and serves as consultant COO at The British Drum Company. A lifelong drummer, he enjoys fishing and golf.
Kevin Bent
Zeal Audio
Kevin has over 31 years’ experience in Pro Audio retail and distribution, notably introducing ADAM Audio to the UK market. Formerly managing global academic programmes, he now runs ZEAL Audio, supporting brands, education, small businesses and equality. A passionate music producer and listener.
Lisa Coley
Minerva Consulting
Lisa has nearly 30 years’ industry experience and co-founded award-winning microphone brand Sontronics. Now leading Minerva Creative Consulting, she offers mentoring, manufacturing advice and training. A classically trained musician and former publisher, Lisa supports startups, education and skills development across the music industry.