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“The ALMBC would not be as strong, and so highly regarded as it is without Stephen’s leadership."

Stephen Wade has announced that he is stepping down as Chair of the Australian Live Music Business Council (ALMBC), effective immediately.

The departure comes on good terms, with Wade (who also works as the Chief Executive of Select Music) set to remain with the ALMBC as a board member for the foreseeable future.

While Wade didn’t comment on why he was leaving his post as the Council’s first-ever Chair, he did note in a formal statement that he’s “extremely proud of all that we have managed to achieve since the formation of the ALMBC”.

Wade was integral to the ALMBC’s formation in 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic’s onset.

Commenting on this, his statement adds “during the worst times our industry has ever seen, I was lucky to work alongside so many incredible passionate people who care about the live music industry and the people who work within it.”

Wade gave special thanks to ALMBC’s Executive General Manager Stuart Watters (of Morph Consulting), Treasurer Brian ‘Smash’ Chladil (Oztix), Deputy Chair Sharlene Harris (ALH Group), Secretary Howard Adams (Corner Soul) and fellow board member Phil Brown (Xact Accounting). He also shouted out “all our board members who generously gave their time” and “most importantly the hundreds of people and businesses who have joined as ALMBC members”.

In a statement of her own, Harris - who co-founded the ALMBC - said Wade’s “tireless efforts and contribution as Chair to our organisation must be publicly acknowledged.”

She went on to say “the ALMBC would not be as strong, and so highly regarded as it is without Stephen’s leadership. On behalf of the board and members, we thank Stephen for his hard work and dedication and for steering the ALMBC during the most difficult period the live music business has ever had.”

At the time of writing, Wade’s replacement as Chair has not yet been announced.

Image: Stephen Wade, about whom the ALMBC noted that it "would not be as strong, and so highly regarded as it is without Stephen’s leadership." Credit: Supplied.

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