Blakeston takes top job at Audio Network

Chris Blakeston has been upped to CEO of music rights business Audio Network.

He takes the top job at the company, which provides copyright-free music for TV producers, as co-founder Robert Hurst exits the CEO role.

Blakeston is upped from COO and takes up the new role with immediate effect. He has been with the company since 2008 and part of the senior management team since 2012. Prior to Audio Network he was at Getty Images.

Blakeston said this morning: “Audio Network is an incredible business and I’m both proud and excited to lead the company as it enters its next phase of growth. I would like to thank Robert for the outstanding job he’s done for over a decade, delivering many consecutive years of profitable growth and building a culture at the company that has delivered the highest standards of music content and customer service.”

Hurst will remain on the Audio Network board. He said: “Chris and his management team will have primary accountability for managing the group’s operations worldwide whilst driving further organic growth opportunities both domestically and internationally. I now look forward to working with Chris and our Board on strategic projects and to evaluate potential acquisition growth opportunities.”