Conroy's departure from Virgin upsets balance of BPI Council. (News).

Paul Conroy's exit from Virgin Records has broken the balance of power of the BPI Council as members consider how to fill his vacant seat.

The long-serving executive -- who held a position on the BPI Council and was chair of the PR committee -- lost his BPI responsibilities once he left Virgin because the organisation's rules demand council members must hold a record company position. His departure temporarily puts the balance of power six-five in favour of the indies on the full council and, once the vacancy is filled, could end up breaking the current balance of power of each major having one seat.

One likely option is either for EMI:Chrysalis managing director Mark Collen or his WEA London equivalent John Reid -- who attend council meetings as co-opted major record companies members but do not currently have voting rights -- to step up to become full members. Alternatively, the number of committee members could be cut from 12 to 10. This is all due to be discussed at the next full council meeting on February 6. Meanwhile, PR committee deputy chair Gary Farrow is set to chair the next meeting on February 13 until the position is permanently filled.

BPI director general Andrew Yeates says the body is in no hurry to resolve the situation. "We're allowed to carry on as things are until the AGM in July and beyond. ...