WIN Elects New Board, Appoints New Chair and Vice Chairs in 20th Anniversary Year

Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the international network that brings together the global independent music community, has appointed its new board of directors for 2026, with Mark Kitcatt, CEO of Everlasting Records (Spain), as its new chair.

Kitcatt has spent over four decades in the independent music sector, from early roles at Rough Trade UK to leading Madrid-based Everlasting Records, building long-lasting careers for artists like Guadalupe Plata or Los Punsetes and releasing the first commercial hits of global stars Nathy Peluso or El Guincho. Kitcatt has held senior leadership roles across the independent sector, including as founding member and president of UFi and chair of IMPALA.

I feel excited and privileged to be taking over this role from Zena. She’s been an inspirational chair for WIN, which is in a great place. Music is the conversation that the world has with itself, and it has always seemed to me that in the recorded sector, it is the independent companies who know how to listen to that conversation, and to respond to it. The next chapter in WIN’s story will see us continuing to hear and amplify voices from artists and their trusted partners from all over the world, and to reflect the outstanding leadership our labels, distributors and associations offer.
Mark Kitcatt, WIN Chair

WIN’s continued growth and expansion into new territories has prompted the organization to strengthen its management team with the creation of two new vice chair positions to further support representation across regions. The roles will be filled by Marty Ro (Sound Republica, South Korea) and Cecilia Crespo (ASIAr, Argentina). The WIN board of directors, composed of representatives from 15 countries appointed by WIN members on a geographical basis, has also added a new observer position for Latin America.

I am honoured to take on the role of vice chair of WIN and to work closely with our chair, board, and member associations worldwide. WIN plays a vital role in ensuring that independent music businesses have a strong, collective voice globally. I am particularly committed to strengthening collaboration across regions, especially in Asia-Pacific and other fast-growing markets, and to helping WIN continue to build meaningful connections between independent sectors around the world.
Marty Ro, WIN Vice Chair

I’m honoured to promote the voice of the global independent music industry, with a special focus on Latin America. This region has been a vibrant music market for decades, bringing massive audiences and unmatched talent. However, it’s imperative to prioritise equal access for artists and record labels to opportunities, resources and, above all, fair financial compensation, such as that received by their peers in central markets. I will actively work for such equity and for the importance of human creativity, together with the adequate protection and respect of the IP, towards a responsible and ethical development of generative AI in the music industry.
Cecilia Crespo, WIN Vice Chair

In 2026, the WIN board welcomed three new members: David Barnes (Rhymesayers Entertainment, USA) as director, and Mark Meyer (Random Sounds, Paraguay) and Sarah Kesselman (Neon Gold Records, USA) as observers. Stepping up from their previous role as observers are Cecilia Crespo (ASIAr, Argentina) and recently appointed A2IM CEO Ian Harrison (A2IM, USA). Maria Amato (AIR, Australia) was re-elected as treasurer for a fourth term.

2026 marks the 20th anniversary of WIN, which was founded in 2006 as a global coordination and support body for the independent sector. Over the past two decades, the organization has grown into a vital force in the music industry, representing independents across 43 territories and helping them advocate for fair market access and practices. WIN has played a crucial role in facilitating cross-border collaboration, ensuring that independents have a global voice in an increasingly consolidated industry.

As we celebrate WIN’s 20th anniversary, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. This milestone reflects two decades of the global independent music community coming together to build a stronger, more unified voice. With our expanded leadership team and growing global reach, we’re better positioned than ever to champion fair market access, support cross-border collaboration, and ensure that independent music continues to thrive for the next 20 years and beyond.
Noemí Planas, WIN CEO

Warm thanks were given to Zena White (Partisan Records, USA) for her six years of service and her outstanding three-year term as chair, during which she played a key role in redefining WIN’s priorities and significantly strengthening the organization’s profile and voice. Another important chapter ends with the departure of exiting A2IM President and CEO Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE (A2IM, USA), who has also stepped down from the WIN board after ten years of service, during which he proved to be a tireless and respected champion of the independent music sector in the US and worldwide.

The 21 members of the WIN board for 2026 are:

North America
David Barnes (Rhymesayers Entertainment, USA), Gord Dimitrieff (Aporia Records, Canada), Ian Harrison (A2IM, USA), Jason Peterson (GoDigital Media Group, USA), Tony Kiewel (Sub Pop, USA). Observer: Sarah Kesselman (Futures ✦ / Neon Gold Records, USA)

Latin America
Cecilia Crespo (ASIAr, Argentina), Francisca Sandoval (IMICHILE, Chile). Observers: Felippe Llerena (Nikita Music / ABMI, Brazil), Mark Meyer (Random Sounds / AMI PY, Paraguay)

Europe
Dario Draštata (Dallas Records, Croatia), Gee Davy (AIM, UK), Geert De Blaere (N.E.W.S., Belgium), Jörg Heidemann (VUT, Germany), Mark Kitcatt (Everlasting Records, Spain). Observer: Helen Smith (IMPALA, Europe)

Asia
Marty Ro (Sound Republica / LIAK, South Korea), Takuya Yamazaki (IMCJ, Japan). Observer: Sridhar Swaminathan (SIMCA, India)

Australasia
Maria Amato (AIR, Australia). Observer: Dylan Pellett (IMNZ, New Zealand)