Bill Freeman joins Help Musicians as Director of Musicians’ Services
Music enthusiast, Bill, joins us in newly created role supporting musicians
Bill Freeman, music enthusiast and current Chief Executive of the Community Transport Association, is to join Help Musicians, the charity supporting musicians in times of crisis and opportunity, in the newly created position of Director of Musicians’ Services.
As Help Musicians enters its 101st year, the new role of Director of Musicians’ Services is a pivotal position that will ensure the charity continues to support musicians to not only survive but also thrive. Following such a devastating and turbulent two years in the face of Covid, in which the charity has delivered more than £18.5m of financial hardship support alone, Bill’s experience will bring a new dimension to the organisation, driving the range and breadth of support that musicians will be offered in the years to come.
Bill has previously held senior roles at National Association for Voluntary and Community Action (NAVCA), Unions 21 and British Youth Council, and will commence his role at Help Musicians in late March. Bill’s depth of senior leadership experience and compassion for music creators will see him guide Help Musicians’ support, ensuring music creators can make the most of opportunities, avoid wherever possible the crises that can knock them off course, and find safe harbour when sadly their challenges are overwhelming.
Bill, a regular gig goer, not only brings a passion for music but some key insights from his career that will be vital to providing the right support to musicians exactly when they need it. As a previous Director at Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance he comes armed with knowledge of an area that impacts so many musicians. Sadly, Help Musicians supports hundreds of musicians with MSK injuries every year and is actively working to build preventative support in the area to help sustain musicians’ careers.
Bill Freeman said: “Over the pandemic I’ve watched some of my favourite artists show amazing tenacity and resourcefulness just to get by and it made me think about the precarious nature of their work and careers and what can be done to help. I’m delighted to now have this opportunity to turn these thoughts into action through this important new role with Help Musicians, focussing on ensuring more music creators don’t just get by, but can also get on in their chosen career.”
James Ainscough, Chief Executive at Help Musicians, said “Bill joins Help Musicians at a significant moment in time for musicians across the UK. As we hopefully emerge from the pandemic and music creators begin to rebuild their careers in an ever-changing and challenging landscape, the position of Director of Musicians’ Services will be central to ensuring the charity’s support continues to be relevant, proactive and forward-facing. Bill brings a dynamic set of skills and experience to the role and wider team and we look forward to him joining us in March.”