Anthem Music Fund Wales has announced Emyr Afan OBE as their new Chair of the Board, succeeding David Alston MBE, who established Anthem in 2018.
Anthem was established in 2018 following a Welsh Government report exploring ways to support young people’s music making and learning in Wales. David Alston MBE, former Arts Director at Arts Council Wales, initially established Anthem and led as Chair until the summer this year. David helped originally set-up the organisation and has grown the team since then, bringing together individuals and organisations across Wales who all share a passion for young people and their music in Wales.
A passionate musician, former recording artist, and classically trained tenor, Emyr Afan OBE is an award winning producer and media leader in the music and television sector in Wales. He is also the Chair of The Welsh Music Guild.
Emyr founded the Pop Factory, which was the music and media complex in Porth, which broadcast the weekly TV music show The Pop Factory in the early 2000s and was the career launch pad for many musicians and TV presenters including Alex Jones, Steve Jones, Sarah Elgan and Gethin Jones.