President of the U.K.’s Music Managers Forum, Jon ‘Webbo’ Webster, is stepping down from the post after 10 years at the organisation to write what is sure to be an anecdote-filled memoir about his time as MD of Virgin Records in the ‘80s. Annabella Coldrick replaced Webster as CEO of the MMF last year.

“Much of the MMF’s current success and vitality must be attributed to Jon,” Coldrick said. “The organisation now represents more than 500 artist managers around the U.K., and has gained a hard-fought reputation as a body that stands up for artist rights and promotes greater education and transparency throughout the music business.

“No one has battled harder than Webbo to get us to this position and to galvanise the management community—and while we sadly accept his decision to step down, the MMF remains as committed as ever to build on his years of work.”

Webster started his career as a record shop assistant, joining Virgin as Sales Manager in 1981, and was named Managing Director in 1988. During that period, he was instrumental in devising the best-selling Now! That's What I Call Music brand. In 1992 he struck out on his own, working closely with acts such as Genesis, Peter Gabriel, UB40, Mike & The Mechanics, Baby Bird, Die Toten Hosen and Erasure, as well as founding the Mercury Music Prize. After moving into artist management (D*Note, Francis Dunnery), Webster joined the BPI as Director of Independent Member Services in 2005, and two years later, received his appointment to the MMF.