Our Team
Managing Director
Simon Platz
Managing Director
Simon Platz
Managing DirectorSimon Platz graduated from Sussex University in 1979. Various jobs followed from bus driver, publican, BBC scene shifter to managing Eddie Edwards after the 1988 winter Olympics! Simon joined the family firm of Essex Music in 1984. Essex had been founded by Simon’s father David in the 1950’s. The Essex catalogue of titles by the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Marc Bolan and Joe Cocker from the backbone to Bucks Music Group’s current operation. Essex was demerged soon after Simon joined. Simon’s own company Bucks Music Group Limited now administers the family company and is very active in acquiring further rights. He is a Director of the Music Publishers Association‚ PRS For Music, PMLL and a Trustee of Heart N Soul, a disability arts group based at the Albany in Deptford. He is also a Trustee of the PRS Foundation.
artists
Related Articles
Congratulations to MALA for receiving the BMI Pop Award at the 2019 BMI London Awards! The award was for 'Look At Me' by XXXTentacion which features a sample of MALA's '
We are delighted to announce that we have partnered with Mushroom Music in a sub-publishing agreement, represen...
We are delighted to announce that we have signed an administration agreement with These Are Songs Ltd – the new publishing company from the executives behind This Is Music Ltd. This...
We have become the first publisher to pay for all its new signings to join the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA). We will be helping our writers join BASCA as a part of a...
Office Support
Jo Hauxwell
PA to Simon Platz / Head of Internal Affaris
Jo Hauxwell
PA to Simon Platz / Head of Internal AffarisHaving grown up between Newcastle, Africa and Boarding School, Jo put a few years travelling under her belt before moving to London. Her background was more medical than musical but, after a very laid back interview 21 years ago she began working at Bucks Music Group as Personal Assistant to Simon Platz. With a couple of years off to produce a new generation her mothering skills are now put to great use in the office as Head of Internal Affairs to the Bucks family.
Lydia Pask
Reception / Admin Assistant
Lydia Pask
Reception / Admin AssistantAlthough having a past in charitable work, coming from a very creative and musical background, Lydia has grown up with a huge love for music across all genres and loves that she gets to work for Bucks along with people who share the same love for music. In her spare time Lydia enjoys photography and travelling.
Creative A&R
Sarah Liversedge Platz
Director A&R
Sarah Liversedge Platz
Director A&RWith a First-Class music degree, Sarah’s career blossomed initially at the BBC: starting out as a TV Floor Manager moving to Researcher and then to Liaison Executive to Heading up the Music Publishing division at BBCWW. In 2004, Sarah set up her own independent music publishing company, BDi Music which, 16 years later, is a thriving, multi-million pound business garnered with Ivor Novello, BAFTA, RTS and Kerrang Awards. BDi owns and controls a highly reputable & valuable catalogue of songs including over 30 Ed Sheeran co-writes. Sarah is also Director A&R at Bucks Music Group, Director of The Movement London & Director of Absolute Rights Management. Sarah is one of the key industry advisers on the PRS Foundation Momentum Fund, she has received Unsung Hero notoriety at the MPG Awards and two ASCAP Awards for published co-writes with Ed Sheeran for ‘Lego House’ & ‘Thinking Out Loud’. Sarah has been honoured with a prestigious Women in Music badge and in 2016, ‘Thinking Out Loud’ won Song Of The Year at the Grammy Awards. The following year, Sarah received a Gold Badge Award from The Ivors Academy. In 2020 Troy Miller and Bucks won an Ivor Novello Award for the co-writing of ‘Giant’ ‘PRS Most Performed Work’. Sarah tirelessly develops the careers of unbeatable, innovative and creative Artists, Producers and Songwriters, to date most notably Amy Wadge, Jake Gosling, Troy Miller, The Magic Gang, Novo Amor, LIFE and many more.
artists
Related Articles
We are delighted to announce that we have signed the brilliant Sokari on an exclusive worldwide publishing deal! A huge thanks to
A huge congratulations to Troy Miller on your Ivor Novello Award nomination for the PRS for Music Most Performed work for ‘Giant’ by Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man! Listen...
A huge congratulations to BDi Music songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Lullahush, who has been nominated for The Ivors Academy Rising Star Award 2020 in association with Apple Music. Lul...
A huge congratulations to Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man as PPL have revealed that their song ‘Giant’ was the number 1 Most Played Track of 2019! The single was c...
Our Director of A&R and Director of BDi Music Sarah Liversedge features in Music Business Worldwide (UK)'s fourth quarter printed edition. In the article 'Modern Music Publishing is...
We are very proud to have been one of the main sponsors at the 2019 Aim Awards - A huge congratulations to Johnny Marr on receiving the prestigious Pioneer Award which was presen...
Our Director of Creative A&R Sarah Liversedge Platz has revealed to
We are very pleased to announce that we have signed international music collective Kefaya to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal! Read all about it in
We are excited to announce that we have signed the incredible Life to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal! Check out the announcement in
Our Director of Creative A&R Sarah Liversedge features in the latest issue of Music Business Worldwide's magazine. Download and read the complete article on our press page by
Flash Taylor
Senior A&R
Flash Taylor
Senior A&RFlash Taylor has worked in Music Publishing for the last 20 years and music in general for way more years than he would care to admit (playing in bands, promoting and DJing events, radio, management.. the list goes on and on. He really likes music). His Music Publishing career started at Zomba Music as A&R Assistant, a time where he learnt about the many facets of publishing and talent (as well as the art of making a good cuppa). From there he moved on to work for Sony ATV as A&R consultant, then as A&R Manager working with many different songwriters and artists across a multitude of styles. Flash has worked for both the ‘majors’ and the ‘indie’ sector moving on from Sony ATV to work for Perfect Songs as A&R Manager. Flash then joined the Bucks A&R team as A&R Consultant for a period of years to his current role as Senior A&R where he works with an ever-growing roster of incredible artists, writers, and producers.
artists
Related Articles
We are delighted to announce that Desperate Journalist have signed to Fierce Panda as part of our joint venture. "The London-based independent record label has signed the post-punk qu...
We are delighted to announce the signing of Ivory Layne to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. A huge thanks to
We are excited to announce the signing of songwriter, producer and artist duo Gold Spectacles to a worldwide publishing deal! A big thanks to
Rhiannon Bramley
A&R
Rhiannon Bramley
A&RHaving studied English Literature and German Studies at The University of Birmingham, Rhiannon graduated in 2014 with a desire to work in a creative industry. A keen musician from a young age, playing piano, guitar and flute, Rhiannon always knew she had a passion for music and continued to write music at her parent’s house in Wales whilst earning money as a Barista. In October 2014 Rhiannon started working for Bounce Publishing, a small, independent music publishing company directed by Charlotte Church. She worked as a Personal Assistant and Marketing Assistant, using her developed writing skills. Due to the size of the company, Rhiannon quickly got involved with the licencing and sync departments and helped the Licensing Manager pitch for briefs. She also worked for Morgan-Bell Management as an Assistant Artist Manager where she co-managed Kizzy Crawford, Sion Russell Jones and Paper Aeroplanes. Taking care of the catalogue and managing press campaigns, she also accompanied Kizzy Crawford and Sion Russell Jones on a trip to Nuremberg in Germany, acting as a Tour Manager as well as a German interpreter. In January 2016 Rhiannon moved to London and started working for BDi Music, covering for Henry Prince (Sarah’s Creative PA) for one month. After the month ended, Rhiannon stayed to become a permanent member of staff as Sarah’s second PA. Taking on administrative duties, Rhiannon hopes to become more involved with the creative aspects and hone her skills and interests within the industry.
artists
Related Articles
We are delighted to announce that we have signed the brilliant Soumik Datta to a worldwide exclusive publishing deal! A big thanks to
Our A&R Co-ordinator Rhiannon Bramley has done an interview with PRS’s M Magazine on music publishing in 2018 & how she hones in on new talent after her recent...
We are delighted to announce the signing of pianist and composer Robert Mitchell to a worldwide administration deal! A big thanks to
James Paterson
Junior A&R / Creative PA to Director A&R
James Paterson
Junior A&R / Creative PA to Director A&RJames studied a BA and Integrated Masters degree in Commercial Music at Bath Spa University, specialising in Performance, Songwriting and Digital Marketing. A singer, songwriter, musician and music videographer, James has been keen to develop his own music just as much as others. He started off at a young age in choirs and orchestras, playing French horn and went on to playing guitar and piano in the bars and clubs of Camden as a teenager. James knew this was the industry he was born to be in. He pursued this calling by moving to Bath in order to hone his craft. During the 4 years of his music course James played in countless bands, organised a UK Tour and created music videos from scratch for himself and others. James is a live music enthusiast ensuring he attends shows for artists he loves, is recommended to see and those who are completely unknown to him, big or small, day or night. From this he organised and hosted the open mic at prestigious and historic music venue Moles. As an artist he recorded an original single, EP and Album and has played shows with many up and coming artists in his solo project such as Natalie Holmes, Novatines, Little Giants and Mike Dignam at the O2 Academy. After graduating in the summer of 2017, James quickly earned a job at a digital marketing agency in London as a Digital Planner and was quickly promoted to Account Executive. After maintaining strong relations with professionals in the London music scene he was offered a role as Creative PA to Sarah Liversedge, Managing Director of BDi Music and Director of Creative A&R at Bucks Music Group. He now assists Sarah and the A&R team in their daily duties with an open mind, proactive attitude and hunger to learn.
artists
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We are excited to announce the signing of Emma Blackery in a worldwide admin deal. A huge thanks to
Hollie Doherty
Junior A&R
Hollie Doherty
Junior A&RBorn and raised in Nottingham, Hollie initially started out as a promoter’s assistant whilst at college helping to book and run live shows across a number of venues in Nottingham. After various work experience placements with The Boiler Room, Kerrang and O2 Hollie relocated to London where she went on to complete a Music Business degree at BIMM London. Whilst at university Hollie continued her work as a freelancer across a wide range of festivals, tours, and awards as well as dipping into artist management and agency representation where she signed an electronic artist during this time. Despite graduating in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hollie went on to secure roles at Good Soldier Records and Label Worx before joining Bucks Music Group as a Junior A&R.
Ronen Guha
Head of Recordings
Ronen Guha
Head of RecordingsWith a BSc (Hons) in Computer Studies with Human Factors under his belt Ronen started working for Bucks Music Group in the royalties department, and over the years has worked in licensing, music publishing A&R, sample clearances and exploitation. In 2001 he launched the companies soundtrack label CUBE SOUNDTRACKS (‘Bend It Like Beckham’; ‘Dirty Pretty Things’; ‘Grand Theft Parsons’) and since 2007 has managed all the company’s master recordings. These include a significant heritage catalogue which the company owns, and a number of heritage and contemporary catalogues which Bucks administers.
artists
Cara Sly-Platz
Digital Manager
Cara Sly-Platz
Digital ManagerAfter spending 5 years in digital marketing and promotions for various bars and clubs to include Barfly, Proud Gallery and Scala, Cara decided to start designing and building websites. She officially joined Bucks in January 2013 where she looks after the digital aspects of the company including maintaining and improving the company websites, working on digital releases, creating artwork for Fly Records physical releases and anything else digital that comes her way.
Sync & Licensing
Jonathan Tester
Head of Sync
Jonathan Tester
Head of SyncJonathan studied Business Studies and European Philosophy/Literature at Anglia Ruskin University and whilst in his final year wrote a dissertation on music in advertising titled ‘Darling, They’re Playing Our Advert. It was whilst researching this subject that Jonathan met with The Soundlounge (formerly Songseekers International) and upon finishing University, Jonathan was offered an internship and was soon promoted to the position of Licensing Manager and was responsible for negotiating music rights for campaigns including GO! Airlines, Adidas, Hugo Boss, KFC, Guinness and Ford and after 2 years was made Creative Licencing Director. In 2002 Jonathan joined Bucks Music Group to run the Sync Department and work creatively placing the catalogue into Film/TV/Commercials/Computer Games and Digital Media. Jonathan has been a speaker at various industry events including Midem, In The City, Sensoria Pro, The Great Escape, Liverpool Sound City, Norwich Sound & Vision and has also given talks on Sync and music publishing for students at Westminster University, Acton College of Music, UCL and Northbrook College. For the past 8 years he has spoken on the subject of Sync as part of the MPA/MMF training program. In 2012, on behalf of Bucks, a placement by Jonathan won ‘Best Sync in Film’ at the inaugural Music & Sound Awards for ‘It Could Have Been Better’ – Joan Armatrading in the film Kill List.
artists
Related Articles
Our Head of Sync Jonathan Tester and Senior A&R Flash Taylor give their account on how lockdown is affecting the music publishing business in and interview with
We are delighted to announce that Gene have joined the Bucks family through an administration agreement! A big thanks to
We are delighted to announce that we have entered into an administration agreement with Gaga Music for the UK & Ireland! Check out the full announcement via
We are delighted to announce that Robyn Kennedy and Honor Doro have joined our amazing sync team! A huge thanks to Music Business Worldwide for the announcement - check out the full article
We are delighted to announce the signing of 19-year-old composer Shane Thomas to an exclusive songwriting agreement via Rick Blaskey at The Music & Media Partnership! Thank you to ...
Synchtank recently caught up with our award-winning sync team to chat recent signings/placements and the secret to th...
Robyn Sumner
Senior Sync
Robyn Sumner
Senior SyncDuring her second year of studying Music at the University of Birmingham, Robyn began working for a company called Ditto Music. It was here she discovered that working in the music industry was an achievable career path where she could channel her creativity and love of music without having to perform. After finishing her degree, Robyn moved to London to pursue her dreams of somehow working in the music industry. Without really a clue of which area she wanted to be involved in, she applied for every job even remotely connected to working with music. Less than 6 months after leaving university, she landed a role working at Kobalt as a receptionist. During her time on reception, Robyn would often be asked to help the sync team on various projects and it was here she found her calling. In less than three years, she was promoted to Sync Manager and was running the administrative side of the sync department. After Kobalt, she spent time at Music Sales and Reservoir Media where she further developed her creative and licensing skills. Now working for Bucks, Robyn is excited to be working with one of the best teams in the business, along a fabulous catalogue of copyrights and a talented roster of writers.
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"In an age of declining record sales, pitiful streaming income and loss-making tours, sync stands as one of the last ways to make good money in the music industry": The amazing Robyn Kenne...
We are delighted to announce that Robyn Kennedy and Honor Doro have joined our amazing sync team! A huge thanks to Music Business Worldwide for the announcement - check out the full article
Fahima Jan
Sync Exec
Fahima Jan
Sync ExecParental influence encouraged Fahima's love for music from an early age and being from Manchester, she was lucky enough to be immersed in such a strong musical heritage. Fahima worked at HMV in Glasgow while at University where she gained an Honours Degree in Media Studies specialising in music. After moving to London, Fahima began her career as an intern at BMG which lead to a Licensing position at PRS for Music. She also worked in Licensing and Copyright at Sanctuary Records and then on to the Music Copyright Department at the BBC where as part of a team, Fahima received Employee of the Month awards twice. Then progressing to Music Coordinator at Fremantle Media where she undertook all music clearances. Fahima came full circle as Sync Licensing Manager at Sony/ATV where she supervised TV requests. After a stint at Universal Records, she gained a position at Bucks Music Group as Sync Executive where she has been since September 2014 working across all genres.
Related Articles
We are delighted to announce that Robyn Kennedy and Honor Doro have joined our amazing sync team! A huge thanks to Music Business Worldwide for the announcement - check out the full article
Synchtank recently caught up with our award-winning sync team to chat recent signings/placements and the secret to th...
Honor Doro
Junior Sync
Honor Doro
Junior SyncHonor has a very music-oriented background, but prior to joining Bucks has previously worked in a number of differing fields such as academia and TV production. She has a huge love for and involvement within a variety of music scenes and is excited to apply this to her work.
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We are delighted to announce that Robyn Kennedy and Honor Doro have joined our amazing sync team! A huge thanks to Music Business Worldwide for the announcement - check out the full article
Alex Sinclair
Junior Sync
Alex Sinclair
Junior SyncCopyright
Shaun Hendry
Head of Copyright
Shaun Hendry
Head of CopyrightShaun has taken a fairly circuitous route in publishing via the PRS, Warner Chappell, Zomba (twice) and BMG (twice) before eventually finding his home at Bucks Music Group. Primarily overseeing the Copyright side of things as Head of Copyright, Shaun can often be found dabbling in most areas of Bucks’ operations to a greater or lesser extent. His knowledge of the Bucks catalogue, his passion and hard work + attention to detail are invaluable to the Bucks team. In his spare time, Shaun works closely with underprivileged musicians via Vacilando ’68/The Orchestra Pit and their monthly musical happening ‘Scaledown’. Shaun has no formal musical training… but, he can do a mean Steve Marriott impersonation (without the soulful bits).
Jamie Harper
Copyright Manager
Jamie Harper
Copyright ManagerJamie started out in the music industry as a runner at the Matrix Complex in Parson’s Green, he then spent 4 years as a Copyright and Royalties Assistant at Hornall Brothers Music where he learnt the ins and outs of music publishing and the complexities of music rights across all media formats. Jamie is a new member of the Bucks team, joining in July 2013 as Copyright Manager — he deals with copyright enquiries, registrations, disputes and query resolutions. In the evening and at weekends, you’re most likely to find him chilling at home with his guitar or looking up his next travel destination.
artists
Gavin McNally
Copyright Manager
Gavin McNally
Copyright ManagerGavin left Yorkshire for London in the early 2000s with a degree in journalism and cut his teeth in music publishing at Universal Music. Hornall Brothers, Fintage House and Kobalt followed until he found a home in the Bucks copyright team. Having spent time with a major and independents he feels Bucks has the perfect combination of ambition, hard work and organic growth. While always working full time in music publishing Gavin has run various side projects including club nights, DJ residencies, a record label and drummed in a number of bands. His favourite memory from years in the music biz was while waiting to use a loo the door unlocked and out stepped Olivia Newton-John, it was electrifying. Gavin loves cycling and regularly takes part in triathlon events. He also satisfies his masochistic side by following his boyhood football team, Barnsley FC.
Stephanie Hopkins
Copyright Co-Ordinator
Stephanie Hopkins
Copyright Co-OrdinatorAccounts & Royalties
Michael Attwood
Head of Financial Affairs
Michael Attwood
Head of Financial AffairsAfter completing a degree at Nottingham University, Michael moved into the world of finance working for an Accountancy firm while training for an ACA qualification. After 4 years and lots of numbers the opportunity to move into the Music Industry presented itself. Having a keen interest in music, together with an incredible music taste ! it was a good move for Michael. He was learning from and replacing an industry stalwart who had been in the role for 32 years. As things stand 5 Years and 8 months later Michael has a very good understanding of the music industry and the role he undertakes on a day to day basis.
Theo Lambo
Finance Manager
Theo Lambo
Finance ManagerTheo started his journey as an apprentice, and with it the possibility of having a career in the many departments of Southwark Council, as he didn’t know what he wanted to do at University. The apprenticeship would also become the start of his journey into the world of finance and accounting, and ever since then he has had an appreciation for numbers and how they can tell a story of an organisation if you know how to read and speak its language. Theo has worked for some amazing companies in the years that followed the apprenticeship. These have included an array of varying industries as well. NET-A-PORTER (Fashion), Groupon (Digital) and Home House (Hospitality). It was his last role at BMG (Music) that cemented his desire for the creative arts and in turn the music industry. After 4 years of learning and working with the amazing people at BMG, he is now at Bucks hoping he can show what he has learnt and in turn learn more from the people around him. Theo has always loved what he does and has always had an affinity for wanting to be better than his current self. This has led to studying the ACCA qualification (and hopefully something else in the future). Currently nearly part-qualified, he split his time between his working hours, and studying after work for the exams he is hoping to pass, until he is a fully-fledged accountant. In his spare time, Theo enjoy holidays, reading, meeting up with friends, catching up and just having a good time. He loves most music forms and will generally be out on the floor, no matter the music playing overhead. However what he enjoys the most is having the people around him, also having a good time (with a beer or two in hand).
John Attwood
Finance Consultant
John Attwood
Finance Consultant
Nicholina Lutterodt
Head of Royalties and IT
Nicholina Lutterodt
Head of Royalties and ITNicholina Studied Computer Science at London Metropolitan University before joining Bucks as IT Systems Administrator and Royalty Assistant.She furthered her studies by completing a Masters degree in Management and currently Heads and oversees both the entire IT Estate and the Royalty Department.
Carly Snellgrove
Royalties Manager & Samples Co-Ordinator
Carly Snellgrove
Royalties Manager & Samples Co-OrdinatorCarly’s interest in music started at school, throughout this time taking up multiple instruments. This continued through to college where she studied music for 2 years. Completing college helped to confirm that music was the career path she wanted to continue on and made the decision to continue this through to University. In 2006 Carly enrolled at Bucks New University where she studied Music Industry Management & Studio production. Whilst at University learning about different areas of the industry she became more interested in publishing and in her 2nd year gained some work experience, this along with working part time for the PRS as a Music Researcher encouraged her to complete her dissertation on music publishing. After graduating with a BA (Hons) in 2009 she gained employment as an Assistant stage manager for a UK based artist Management Company, the primary role involved working with auditioning artists and assisting the running of shows up and down the country. After being in that role for 6 months she was offered a position at Bucks Music Group and began work for them in the start of 2010 where she has currently worked for the past 3 ½ years. To further continue her education she enrolled at Brunel University to study for a Post Graduate Certificate in Intellectual Property Law, and graduated in 2013.
Standard Music Library
John Wraight
Library Manager
John Wraight
Library ManagerBefore John was a shop assistant in an electrical shop (£1.02 per hour) and before he was a bottle-boxer-upper in a bottle factory (50 bottles per box), John terrified his primary school teachers by bringing in Black Sabbath’s ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ to play at the Panda Pops-fuelled Christmas disco. Confounding early expectations, John would go on to receive a recommendation by government inspectors for his teaching of Moral Education; he’s not making this up. Moonlighting as a music ‘journalist’, he interviewed the likes of Jane Birkin, Massive Attack, Tricky, Primal Scream, Daft Punk, Underground Resistance, and got Ozzy Osbourne to review Jeff Mills’ ‘The Bells’. Before coming to work for Standard Music Library, John also spent several years working for independent record labels. John owns signed copies of The Smiths’ ‘This Charming Man’, Manuel Gottsching’s ‘E2-E4’ and Sonia’s ‘We’ve got the Power’ (with ‘Gladiator Rap’ on the B side).
Max Gershinson
Production Music Promoter
Max Gershinson
Production Music PromoterAfter studying French and Philosophy at university, living in Montpellier for a year and trying his luck at teaching, Max decided it was time to focus his career attentions on his main lifelong passion: music. He spent the last 9 months interning at various music supervision and production companies and building up a solid network of contacts before finally landing a position at Bucks. With a deep and highly eclectic taste in music, he gets to share it through the two monthly radio shows he hosts on the side, and the various nights he DJs at, including his own, ‘Resonate’, which focuses on the more soulful side of dance music.