Simon Wheeler

Simon Wheeler is a prominent figure in the music industry, currently serving as the Director of Global Commercial Strategy at Beggars Group, a leading independent music company.12 With a career spanning over three decades in the music business, Wheeler has established himself as an experienced and respected professional in the field of digital music licensing and strategy.

Career at Beggars Group

Wheeler has been with Beggars Group since 1990, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to the company.4 His role has evolved over the years, and he has been instrumental in shaping the group's digital strategy:

• In 2007, he became the Director of Digital and a board member at Beggars Group.5
• Currently, he holds the position of Director of Global Commercial Strategy, where he leads negotiations and licensing efforts with various digital platforms.15

Expertise and Responsibilities

In his current role, Wheeler is responsible for:

• Guiding Beggars Group's strategic direction in the digital music landscape
• Negotiating and managing partnerships with digital platforms and streaming services
• Overseeing the company's approach to new technologies and business models in the music industry

Wheeler is known for his proactive approach to embracing new technologies and ideas to create opportunities for Beggars Group's labels, artists, and their music.2

Industry Recognition

Simon Wheeler's expertise and contributions to the music industry have been widely recognized:

• He was recently elected to the 2024 Board of Merlin, a global digital rights agency for independent labels.1
• Wheeler is frequently invited to speak at industry events, such as Canadian Music Week, indicating his status as a thought leader in the field.4

Background

Prior to his executive career, Wheeler had diverse experience in the music industry, including roles as a:

• Musician
• Engineer
• Producer
• Remixer
• Promoter4

This varied background has likely contributed to his comprehensive understanding of the music business from multiple perspectives.

Simon Wheeler's LinkedIn profile can be found under the username "simon-wheeler-beggars," reflecting his long-standing association with Beggars Group.3