Experienced music manager, agent and publisher John Mostyn (pictured) will host the relaxed conversation, Q&A and networking event with one of the most recognisable voices of the industry – the latest in a series of accessible workshops and talks on the lucrative area of music publishing to be held in the city.

The professional services, financing and creative industries work with the music industries, specifically the global copyright business – believed to be worth around £1.5bn in 2018 – will be explored in detail, along with a look back at Steve Lewis’ distinguished career and an opportunity for audience members to ‘ask the expert’, before a short networking session.

Steve Lewis spoke ahead of the event, saying, “I’ve run artist management companies, record labels, music publishing companies and more. Being a publisher and working with songwriters is the most satisfying because it all begins with a song. I look forward to sharing music, anecdotes and what I’ve learned along the way”.

From answering a newspaper ad and meeting the then unknown Richard Branson, Steve Lewis went on to help develop the entrepreneur’s fledgling Virgin Music Group into a billion dollar operation, become CEO of the Music Division of Chrysalis Group Plc, and founded the world’s first private equity backed music publisher, Stage Three.

During his four decades in business, the London-born professional organised tours and campaigns for artists including Mike Oldfield, Phil Collins, Human League, and Simple Minds.

Steve won the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Publisher of the Year award twice and served on the boards of most of the UK’s major music industry organisations, including British Phonographic Industry (BPI), Performing Right Society (PRS), Mechanical Copyright Protection Society (MCPS), the Association for Independent Music (AIM) and the Music Publishers Association (MPA).

John Mostyn is a Birmingham-based experienced music manager, agent and publisher. In the 1970s, John – agent for The Specials, Selecter and The Beat – ran the agency that helped to launch Two Tone. John went on to manage The Beat giving him his first taste of chart success.

As manager of Fine Young Cannibals, Johnhelped them to No.1 around the world. He co-managed Inner City with Neil Ruston, helping Techno to break out of Detroit and into the UK. John also owned and ran the record label that launched Ocean Colour Scene, and many other artists have benefited from his advice and guidance over the years.

He saved the Digbeth Institute from demolition and working alongside Richard Branson helped start the venue’s journey to the successful operation that it is today.

Over a forty year career, John has mentored artists and consulted with a number of music-based organisations alongside tour managing artists around Europe – most notably Seasick Steve, The James Hunter Six and Roland Gift.

He said, “After the success of our Music Publishing workshops last year I can’t wait to introduce Steve Lewis as a guest next. Steve, as MD of both Virgin Music and Chrysalis Music, has been at the sweet spot where Capital meets Creatives for over four decades. We welcome all to come and hear his tales from the front line and get a rare glimpse into how business and artistry can get on”.