The MU has a new Assistant General Secretary
The Musicians’ Union (MU) has appointed Naomi Pohl has its new assistant general secretary. She is the first woman to join the MU’s team of senior officials in the Union’s history. Pohl’s previous roles with the Union include national organiser for recording and broadcasting, and London regional organiser. She takes up the new post with immediate effect.
“I’m delighted to be taking on the role of AGS Music Industry at the MU working with our new General Secretary Elect Horace Trubridge,” said Pohl. “I’ve worked in a variety of roles at the MU; representing members working in music services, the West End theatres, London orchestras and opera companies, and most recently in the recording studios.
“We’ve got a great team and hundreds of committed activists so we’re in a good position to grapple with the major challenges facing our members at present. I am personally working on increasing the secondary income we collect on behalf of session musicians and increasing compliance among users of music featuring our members’ performances.
“We are also preparing for Brexit and lobbying for measures to ensure that music tourism is unaffected, that our members are not prevented from touring because of visa issues and that we guarantee EU citizens who work in our orchestras and other workplaces the right to remain.
“There is also crucial work continuing in the field of music education, campaigning for equal provision across the UK and decent pay and conditions for instrumental teachers. Plus we continue to lobby for the Agent of Change principle to be introduced so that music venues aren’t threatened by noise complaints from neighbouring properties that post-dated them. So plenty to be getting on with!
“I am especially pleased to be the first female AGS and I hope this is an indication of increasing diversity, not only within the MU, but across the music industry. It takes time, but it will happen.”
General secretary elect, Horace Trubridge, commented: “This is a very welcome appointment. Naomi has worked for the MU in every area of the industry and is ideally suited for the role. I’m delighted that she will be joining the Secretariat at a time when the profession is facing so many challenges and I am confident that the new team is well placed to meet those challenges head on.”