Paul Birch

Paul Birch is an alumni of the J.L.Kellogg business school at Northwestern University in Chicago where he studied American consumer marketing under the world renowned Philip Kotler. He qualified with the Chartered Institute of Marketing having studied at Aston University. Most recently he was the recipient of the ATCO R.D. Southern Scholarship at The Richard Ivey Business School at the University of Western Ontario, where he studied Advanced Strategic Marketing Management and Innovations in Marketing Management under Harvard emeritus professor: Don Barclay. Birch read Business at University of Wolverhampton Business School where he obtained his MBA, specialising in corporate strategy. He is a Fellow of The Chartered institute of Marketing. Kellogg and Ivey rank numbers 1 and 5 in the world league Business schools and he is presently reading his PhD under Dr. Mike Jones at the University of Liverpool.

He created Heavy Metal Records in 1979 and Revolver Records in 1985 signing acts as diverse as Stone Roses, Jayne's Addiction, Diamond Head, UFO, Misfits, Bruce Cockburn, Scorpions, UK Subs and the Vibrators. In all releasing some 400 albums from Sister Sledge greatest hits to Magnum's "Storytellers night" releasing several Motion picture film sound tracks and creating a Music publishing catalogue of some 2500 copyrights. Birch opened offices for the company in Germany, with representation in 35 countries including the United States and Canada. In 1990 he developed Revolver Recording studios which recorded acts as various as Ned Atomic Dustbin, Edwin Star and Terrorvision. After five years at EMI and then seven years at BMG distribution followed by ten years at Sony distribution Birch has moved his business to Universal where he is now developing third party distribution through the major, releasing artists albums in the past 12 months such as Candi Staton, Rose Royce, Jefferson Starship, and creating both children's television records (Mad Donna) and a new Jazz label featuring Herbie Mann, Michael Brown and Norman Connors. With new releases from Julian Marley (son of Bob), Vanessa Williams and Lamont Dozier (54 #1's).

Birch has been a member of the BPI (British Record Industry) Board since 1990; having served prior to that on the Copyright strategy committee and been a key witness in the 1991 Copyright tribunal between the Record Industry and the Publishers. In the past five years he has chaired both the Education committee and the International committee. He created the British at MIDEM joint venture and overseas trade shows initiative on behalf of the BPI at events such as Pop Komm & SXSW and was a founder member of AIM. He is now developing the regional strategy for the Industry.

He joined the board of PPL in 1998 and served on the New Business committee and PPL's own International committee, which he co-chaired.

In 1999 Birch negotiated the AP1copyright agreement with MCPS on behalf of the BPI Independents and in 2001 created the British retail campaign, which rolled out in all 22 Virgin Megastores across America, resulting in a sales increase of over $1.5M for the UK Industry, helping grow Britain's share of US market from 5% to 8.8% per annum. The Campaign encompasses sell through TV video, British motion picture films on DVD, computer games and some specialist food products in addition to Music CD and music DVD releases.

Appointed Justice of the Peace by the Lord Chancellor to serve on the West Midlands petty session bench in November 1999, he chaired the creation of the regions Witness support unit. He is presently a director of the home office charity for Victim (& witness) support. He is a Governor of Wolverhampton Grammar School and the secretary of UK Trade Investment's (DTI) North American Alumni Association (American Desk), which has a membership of 250 British marketing specialists who focus on the US and Canada. Recently he has joined the board of the Birmingham - Chicago Sister City committee.

As part of a team of eleven directors, acting as Company Secretary, he has recently formed, MUSIC WEST MIDLANDS (MWM). MWM is a non-for profit, created to represent the interests of the $1Billion pa Music Industry in the West Midlands region. The organisation launched in May 04 at a private reception at the House of Commons with over twenty-five regional members of Parliament supporting the initiative.