The charity works across the music community to achieve inclusion, equity and social justice
Sound Connections has announced the appointment of co-directors for the first time in the organisation’s history. Liz Coomb and Wizdom Layne jointly take over from Philip Flood, who has stepped down after 14 years at the helm to focus on freelance consultancy.
The shared leadership decision was almost a year in the making, with Flood and the trustees involved in detailed succession planning. The co-directorship spearheads Sound Connections’s move away from traditional, hierarchical management towards a flatter, more equitable structure that befits a charity tasked with supporting marginalised voices.
‘I have admired Sound Connections’s work for many years’, said Coombs, who has worked as project manager for Newham Music Hub, head of programmes at Music for Youth, and most recently as managing director (maternity cover) at Drum Works. ‘I feel privileged to have contributed to the organisation for the past four years in various roles and am honoured to be part of the new co-leadership team taking this small-yet-mighty organisation forward into its next phase.’
The shared leadership decision was almost a year in the making, with Flood and the trustees involved in detailed succession planning. The co-directorship spearheads Sound Connections’s move away from traditional, hierarchical management towards a flatter, more equitable structure that befits a charity tasked with supporting marginalised voices.
‘I have admired Sound Connections’s work for many years’, said Coombs, who has worked as project manager for Newham Music Hub, head of programmes at Music for Youth, and most recently as managing director (maternity cover) at Drum Works. ‘I feel privileged to have contributed to the organisation for the past four years in various roles and am honoured to be part of the new co-leadership team taking this small-yet-mighty organisation forward into its next phase.’
Former deputy director Layne is also familiar with the organisation’s work, having supported projects through Wired4Music, and developing new partnerships pegged to the New Plan for Music Education and the Centres for Excellence initiative. ‘I am really excited at the prospect of working alongside Liz as we navigate a time of change for the music industry and music education landscapes and build connections between them’, said Layne, adding: ‘Our roles as co-directors reflect those different experiences, and we will continue to take an innovative and collaborative approach to empowering young people through music.’ Layne’s experiences include his work in 90s rap group GreenJade, who once opened for Jay-Z, and his varied achievements as a music producer.
Sound Connections intends to draw on its pioneering leadership approach in its support across the sector. ‘We hope to share our experience of co-directorship with other organisations to help and support them in considering this model for themselves’, said Norton York, the charity’s chair of trustees. ‘Liz and Wizdom are a formidable team already, and we are confident their combined strengths will lead Sound Connections on to a bright future.’
