Music industry unites to sing from the same song sheet.

The music industry can finally talk with one authoritative voice following the creation of UKMusic, which brings the whole commercial sector under one umbrella.

After years of trying - and spectacularly failing - to create an organisation that can present a united front to Government and Brussels, lobby collectively and deal effectively with a range of tough issues, British Music Rights has evolved into UKMusic with precisely that brief.

The move, signposted by Music Week earlier this year, sees eight bodies (AIM, the British Academy, BPI, MCPS-PRS Alliance, MMF, MPA, MU and PPL) sign up to the project, which will see UKMusic act for the industry in areas of public policy and lobbying; external awareness and public opinion; research and analysis; and education and skills.

BMR chairman Andy Heath and chief executive Feargal Sharkey are the architects of UKMusic and head the new organisation. They had been frustrated at the industry's inability to deliver cohesive responses to challenges such as the Gowers ...