Merlin’s new board is stacked with talent from across the globe. This lineup’s got the chops to push indie music forward.
Merlin, the global digital licensing agency representing independent music, has announced its new board members for 2026. This diverse group includes prominent figures from the independent music sector across twelve countries, covering regions such as Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America, and Oceania.
The board is elected by Merlin’s membership, which consists of tens of thousands of independent record labels, distributors, and rights-holders around the world. According to a recent statement, the newly formed board is expected to bring extensive experience that will guide the organization in supporting its members’ independence. This mix of new and returning members aims to provide informed global perspectives on navigating various markets.
Among the newly elected members are Bugwu Aneto-Okeke from Measurable Accurate Digital Solutions in Nigeria, Charles Caldas of Exceleration in Portugal, Manami Ogawa from Starbase in Japan, Rachel Buswell representing Domino in the UK, and Sascha Lazimbat of Zebralution in Germany. These individuals are set to contribute their unique insights, enriching the board’s overall capability.
Additionally, Merlin has appointed Dan Waite from Better Noise in the UK and Verónica Rojas of Casete in Mexico as board observers. Their presence is expected to enhance the board’s understanding of market dynamics and further its mission.
Returning to the board are several influential industry leaders, including Carlos Mills of Mills Records in Brazil, Chris Maund from Mushroom in Australia, Darius Van Arman of Secretly Group in the US, and others from renowned labels like Ninja Tune, Sub Pop, and IDOL. Their continued involvement ensures stability and continuity in Merlin’s direction.
Merlin’s founder, Martin Mills from Beggars Group, will persist as a director of the Merlin Network, the organization’s parent entity. He will work alongside Darius Van Arman, who remains chairperson, and Charlie Lexton, the CEO of Merlin.
The organization expressed gratitude for the service of outgoing board members, including Eniko Gallasz and Fer Isella, among others. Charlie Lexton remarked on the high-value perspectives the new board members bring, reaffirming Merlin’s commitment to delivering unique benefits and top-tier deals, especially as the digital environment continues to shift.