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Music Canada Chief Graham Henderson Stepping Down

Graham Henderson, president and CEO of the Music Canada board of directors, is stepping down from his post after more than 15 years in the role.

Graham Henderson, president and CEO of the Music Canada board of directors, is stepping down from his post after more than 15 years in the role, the organization and Henderson jointly announced Thursday (May 28). Graham will continue to serve as CEO until June 17, 2020.

“I have been given the great honour and privilege of serving the members of Music Canada and the wider music community for 15 thrilling and rewarding years,” said Henderson in a statement. “And throughout this entire time I have had the unalloyed joy of working with the most incredibly dedicated, effective team of music lovers in the world: my staff! I have absolutely every confidence that the staff, the Board and everyone at Sony, Universal and Warner will go forward from strength to strength. I hope that my experience and insight may be of some value down the road.”

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As the board continues its search for a new CEO following Henderson’s departure, chief operating officer Jackie Dean and vp corporate affairs Patrick Rogers will serve as interim co-CEOs beginning June 18.

Board chairperson Jennifer M. Sloan praised Henderson in her own statement, writing, “We thank Graham for guiding Music Canada through a period of phenomenal growth and transition, including his dogged domestic and international championing of copyright reform and protection. Graham has led Music Canada’s transformation, strengthening our executive team and developing a clear strategic path forward as the trusted voice of the music industry in Canada and a recognized global partner.”

Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents all three major record companies in Canada: Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. It also works with leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists.

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In an interview with Billboard in 2018, Henderson spoke about his efforts to make the Music Canada board more gender inclusive by adding two women to its ranks.

“Impediments to change often lurk just beneath the surface,” Henderson said at the time. “Just one example for you to think about — many boards have no term limits. The lack of term limits entrenches the status quo. And who is the status quo? It is usually white and male. Changing by-laws to impose term limits can be an important step. So can actually sit down with folks who represent the status quo and asking them if they might not consider stepping aside to make way for fresh faces.”