Anthem Music Fund Wales has announced Emyr Afan OBE as their new Chair of the Board, succeeding David Alston MBE, who established Anthem in 2018.
Anthem. Music Fund Wales is a charitable organisation creating a Wales in which music can empower every young life. They believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to engage and explore what music can do for them. Their mission is to enable access to music, generate more opportunities and nurture diverse talent to take the next steps to musical careers.
Anthem was established in 2018 following a Welsh Government report exploring ways to support young people’s music making and learning in Wales. David Alston MBE, former Arts Director at Arts Council Wales, initially established Anthem and led as Chair until the summer this year. David helped originally set-up the organisation and has grown the team since then, bringing together individuals and organisations across Wales who all share a passion for young people and their music in Wales.
It has created funding programmes and opportunities for youth music organisations and young musicians and has just recently launched the Anthem Gateway as the go to online platform for essential information about getting into music in Wales.
A passionate musician, former recording artist, and classically trained tenor, Emyr Afan OBE is an award winning producer and media leader in the music and television sector in Wales. He is also the chair of The Welsh Music Guild.
Emyr founded the Pop Factory, which was the music and media complex in Porth, which broadcast the weekly TV music show The Pop Factory in the early 2000s and was the career launch pad for many musicians and TV presenters including Alex Jones, Steve Jones, Sarah Elgan and Gethin Jones.
Emyr is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Afanti Media (formerly Avanti Media), one of Wales’ most successful TV production companies. He is an award-winning producer, who recently won two Baftas for Best Entertainment with ‘Luke Evans Showtime!’ and ‘Max Boyce at 80’. Currently, Afanti is Cardiff Business of the Year, and Emyr has also recently won Entrepreneur of the Year at the Cardiff Business Awards.
Current Interim Chair of Anthem, Ryan Singh said, “David’s vision and dedication in founding Anthem and leading the organisation has led Anthem to be an instrumental influence for young people and music in Wales. We are deeply grateful for his commitment to nurturing young musical talent in Wales. I am excited to welcome Emyr as our new Chair of the Board, who brings with him a wealth of expertise and leadership to this role. Emyr’s passion for music and his outstanding leadership will be invaluable to help drive some of the important themes we need help with to support young people right now in Wales.”
Emyr Afan said “I have long admired the values and purpose of Anthem along with the tenacity and vision of Chief Executive Rhian Hutchings. If only this sort of provision was available when I was a young musician. I feel deeply honoured to be asked to help make a difference and look forward to working with Rhian, Vice Chairs Ryan and Gwenda and the rest of the team.”
Anthem CEO Rhian Hutchings said “I am really excited about working with Emyr. He is someone who is dedicated to making change for young musicians and truly understands their journey having experienced it himself. He believes in Anthem’s vision and is ready to do what it takes to make it a reality.”
