U.K.-based digital entertainment and retail association ERA has hired Linda Walker, most recently SVP of Commercial Partnerships and Analytics at Warner Music U.K., as Chair.

Walker begins her new rolw 9/1. She succeeds Ben Drury, CEO of family-orientated audio platform Yoto, who served for 18 months.

Walker began her music industry career working behind the counter of her local East Midlands indie record shop, Shooting Star Records. She joined Warner Music U.K. as a Sales and Radio Promotions Representative covering the South Coast, before becoming its first Digital Account Manager in 2005, responsible for what was then Apple’s iTunes.

After driving commercial partnerships with artists including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Michael Bublé, Liam Gallagher and Stormzy, Walker was appointed SVP of Commercial Partnerships and Analytics, a role she held until November 2023.

ERA CEO Kim Bayley said, “Linda Walker’s experience spans all areas of ERA’s membership from independent stores to some of the world’s largest streaming services, and she brings with her a reputation for clarity of thought and pragmatic commercialism, making her the ideal candidate for ERA Chair.”

“For artists and creators to succeed, they need digital services and retailers to prosper too, and I look forward to playing my part in ensuring we create the conditions which make that possible," Walker said.