NEWS
JAMES ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES AS COMPANY APPROACHES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
September 2025
The company has appointed two new directors to its board: Wendy Laybourn FBKS, a pioneering film industry professional with over five decades of experience who made history as the first woman elected as Council Member of BKSTS (British Kinematograph Sound & Television Society) in 1994 and played an integral role in introducing off-line editing technology to Europe in the 1970s. As a Fellow of BKSTS, BAFTA member since 1972, and co-author of "The Art of Film: Working on James Bond, Aliens, Batman and More" (2022), she brings unparalleled expertise in film production and visual effects to JAMES.
Andy Brook, UK music producer, mix engineer and touring musician. With over three decades of cross-discipline experience in industry and education, Brook has worked with renowned artists including Status Quo, Bonnie Tyler, Stewart Copeland, Del Amitri and more. Having experienced JAMES as a student, educator, assessor and executive board member he brings a unique perspective to this new role.
Dr. Dennis Weinreich has been re-elected as director and will continue to serve on the finance team. Dr. Weinreich was instrumental in JAMES's inception and brings decades of experience as a company director across multiple organisations.
September 2025
The company has appointed two new directors to its board: Wendy Laybourn FBKS, a pioneering film industry professional with over five decades of experience who made history as the first woman elected as Council Member of BKSTS (British Kinematograph Sound & Television Society) in 1994 and played an integral role in introducing off-line editing technology to Europe in the 1970s. As a Fellow of BKSTS, BAFTA member since 1972, and co-author of "The Art of Film: Working on James Bond, Aliens, Batman and More" (2022), she brings unparalleled expertise in film production and visual effects to JAMES.
Andy Brook, UK music producer, mix engineer and touring musician. With over three decades of cross-discipline experience in industry and education, Brook has worked with renowned artists including Status Quo, Bonnie Tyler, Stewart Copeland, Del Amitri and more. Having experienced JAMES as a student, educator, assessor and executive board member he brings a unique perspective to this new role.
Dr. Dennis Weinreich has been re-elected as director and will continue to serve on the finance team. Dr. Weinreich was instrumental in JAMES's inception and brings decades of experience as a company director across multiple organisations.
Andy Brook, freshly-appointed
JAMES Director.
These appointments follow the resignation of Dr. Phil Harding, who stepped down after 19 years of distinguished service to JAMES, having been one of the original founders representing the Music Producers Guild (MPG). Dr. Harding will remain available as a consultant to support the organization's ongoing work.
"The new directors have the opportunity and enthusiasm to bring something new and the mandate to drive the company forward with the full support of the Executive," said Dr. Gary Bromham, JAMES academic advisor.
JAMES is also proud to announce the establishment of "The David Ward Outstanding Achievement Award". The award honours the memory of JAMES's founder and Executive Director David Ward FRSA (1943-2023), a visionary educator who transformed music technology education and established the first independent music industry school in Europe through Gateway School of Recording.
The renamed award which has been running for many years continues to recognise exceptional achievement in creative education and will be presented annually starting in 2026.
"The new directors have the opportunity and enthusiasm to bring something new and the mandate to drive the company forward with the full support of the Executive," said Dr. Gary Bromham, JAMES academic advisor.
JAMES is also proud to announce the establishment of "The David Ward Outstanding Achievement Award". The award honours the memory of JAMES's founder and Executive Director David Ward FRSA (1943-2023), a visionary educator who transformed music technology education and established the first independent music industry school in Europe through Gateway School of Recording.
The renamed award which has been running for many years continues to recognise exceptional achievement in creative education and will be presented annually starting in 2026.
VIST TO THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS, LONDON
February 2025
JAMES representatives Phil Harding (left) and Phil Bodger (right) recently toured the excellent studio facilities at The University of The Arts, London (UAL). The main purpose of the visit was to talk to students from the three courses currently accredited by JAMES:
BA (Hons) Music Production / MA Music Production / MA Music Business (starts September 2025).
As many Londoners will know, there is a lot of building and development work going on around the Elephant & Castle area in South London and eventually the UAL music facilities will move into the new premises.
www.arts.ac.uk
February 2025
JAMES representatives Phil Harding (left) and Phil Bodger (right) recently toured the excellent studio facilities at The University of The Arts, London (UAL). The main purpose of the visit was to talk to students from the three courses currently accredited by JAMES:
BA (Hons) Music Production / MA Music Production / MA Music Business (starts September 2025).
As many Londoners will know, there is a lot of building and development work going on around the Elephant & Castle area in South London and eventually the UAL music facilities will move into the new premises.
www.arts.ac.uk
UNIVERSITY OF DERBY RE-ACCREDITS THREE COURSES
December 2024
The University of Derby has recently re-accredited three courses within its School of Music and Performing Arts - BSc (Hons) Music Production, BA (Hons) Popular Music and MA Music Production.
JAMES assessors Rita Campbell and Gary Bromham took the trip to Derby liaising with Course Leader Daithi McMahon and his team.
They commented, "We commend the attitude and approach of the staff in delivering courses which thoroughly embrace an environment of critical thinking and creativity. This is not always a given and can only benefit students in the long run when they enter real world working environments."
Photos - Top image Daithi McMahon (1st left) and team, bottom image JAMES' Gary and Rita.
www.derby.ac.uk
December 2024
The University of Derby has recently re-accredited three courses within its School of Music and Performing Arts - BSc (Hons) Music Production, BA (Hons) Popular Music and MA Music Production.
JAMES assessors Rita Campbell and Gary Bromham took the trip to Derby liaising with Course Leader Daithi McMahon and his team.
They commented, "We commend the attitude and approach of the staff in delivering courses which thoroughly embrace an environment of critical thinking and creativity. This is not always a given and can only benefit students in the long run when they enter real world working environments."
Photos - Top image Daithi McMahon (1st left) and team, bottom image JAMES' Gary and Rita.
www.derby.ac.uk
JAMES SPONSORS THE SMPR CONFERENCE AT LEEDS BECKETT
September 2024
JAMES sponsored and delivered a Music Producer and Engineers panel at the inaugural SMPR (Society for Music Production Research) Conference hosted at Leeds Beckett University. Panelists included Gary Bromham, Katie Tavini, Izzy McPhee and the legendary Ken Scott. JAMES Executive member and assessor, Phil Bodger, chaired the panel and the topics included - Change and Continuity: Traditions, Tensions and Transformations in Music Production.'
musicproductionresearch.org
September 2024
JAMES sponsored and delivered a Music Producer and Engineers panel at the inaugural SMPR (Society for Music Production Research) Conference hosted at Leeds Beckett University. Panelists included Gary Bromham, Katie Tavini, Izzy McPhee and the legendary Ken Scott. JAMES Executive member and assessor, Phil Bodger, chaired the panel and the topics included - Change and Continuity: Traditions, Tensions and Transformations in Music Production.'
musicproductionresearch.org
2024 SUMMER SCHOOL AT ROCKFIELD STUDIOS
July 2024
The Gus Dudgeon Foundation and JAMES are extremely pleased to confirm that this year's Post Graduate Summer School ran from 1 July for four days at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales!
Acknowledged to be the first residential studio in the world, Rockfield Studios has played host to many global artists - Oasis, Rush, Iggy Pop, Coldplay, Black Sabbath, Robert Plant, Manic Street Preachers to name but a few… and in 1975 was the primary studios used by Queen for the recording of the greatest pop record of all time Bohemian Rhapsody.
This was an amazing opportunity for the star JAMES students to soak up the vibes and learn from the engineers/producers who have worked with the best!
Represented at the Summer School were students from - University of the West of England, Leeds Beckett University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Portsmouth, University of Winchester, University of South Wales, Ulster University, Bournemouth University, University of Salford and Northampton University.
Read a full account of the week here.
July 2024
The Gus Dudgeon Foundation and JAMES are extremely pleased to confirm that this year's Post Graduate Summer School ran from 1 July for four days at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales!
Acknowledged to be the first residential studio in the world, Rockfield Studios has played host to many global artists - Oasis, Rush, Iggy Pop, Coldplay, Black Sabbath, Robert Plant, Manic Street Preachers to name but a few… and in 1975 was the primary studios used by Queen for the recording of the greatest pop record of all time Bohemian Rhapsody.
This was an amazing opportunity for the star JAMES students to soak up the vibes and learn from the engineers/producers who have worked with the best!
Represented at the Summer School were students from - University of the West of England, Leeds Beckett University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Portsmouth, University of Winchester, University of South Wales, Ulster University, Bournemouth University, University of Salford and Northampton University.
Read a full account of the week here.
JAMES OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD GOES TO DAVID CSONTOS
November 2022
JAMES Co-Vice Chair Dr. Phil Harding was delighted to present David Csontos with his 'JAMES Outstanding Student of the Year 2021-22' award at The University Studies at West Suffolk College. Phil & David are pictured in the main studio there and Phil added, "We are delighted that the JAMES Accredited course here is still producing an excellent standard of studies and graduating students such as David."
November 2022
JAMES Co-Vice Chair Dr. Phil Harding was delighted to present David Csontos with his 'JAMES Outstanding Student of the Year 2021-22' award at The University Studies at West Suffolk College. Phil & David are pictured in the main studio there and Phil added, "We are delighted that the JAMES Accredited course here is still producing an excellent standard of studies and graduating students such as David."
