SYDNEY, Australia — Natalie Waller is re-elected chair of the ARIA board, while Sean Warner is named deputy chair.
Waller, who serves as head of ABC Music at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), the reigning independent label of the year at the AIR Awards, was first elected ARIA chair in 2021, becoming the first female appointed to the top role.
At ABC Music, Waller works closely with some of Australia’s leading artists and has guided the label to unprecedented success with the triple j brand across initiatives such as Like A Version.
Separately, Waller is a director on the Country Music Association (CMA) board in the United States, is a mentor in the AIR Women in Music program and, previously, served four years as vice president of the Country Music Association of Australia (CMAA).
“I’m deeply honored to be re-elected as chair of the ARIA board,” she remarks in a statement. “ARIA’s advocacy and leadership are essential to strengthening Australia’s music industry, and I’m grateful to continue working with such dedicated colleagues to champion our artists and amplify the value of Australian music.”
Warner, meanwhile, has led Universal Music Australia & New Zealand, the market’s biggest music company, as president since 2023. A company stalwart with nearly 20 years’ experience, Warner previously served as senior VP of commercial at UMA.
“I’m honored to be elected deputy chair of the ARIA board at such an important time for Australian music,” he says. “ARIA plays a vital role in supporting domestic artists and the broader community, and I look forward to working closely with the board and (ARIA CEO) Annabelle (Herd) to continue strengthening the local music industry.”
Together, he adds, “we have a significant opportunity to drive sustainable growth, nurture the next generation of Australian talent, and ensure our industry remains innovative, inclusive and globally competitive.”
The trade body’s board includes include Annabelle Herd (ARIA CEO), Chris Maund (COO of Mushroom Labels), Dan Rosen (president of Warner Music Australasia), and David Vodicka (managing director of the Rubber Group of Companies, principal of Media Arts Lawyers).
Also, ARIA unveils Luke Vespa and Laura Edwards as the latest participants to the ARIA Board Observership Program. Vespa is the streaming partners lead for ANZ and SEA at Warner Music Australia, while Edwards is senior streaming partnerships manager at Universal Music Australia.
The Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) boasts more than 200 members representing major and independent record producers, manufacturers, and distributors. The organization advocates for the Australian music industry, administers the labelling code of practice, compiles industry information and research, and produces the weekly ARIA Charts and the annual ARIA Awards.
To celebrate 40 years of the ARIAs, a special standalone ARIA Hall of Fame Anniversary will be presented June 11 at Carriageworks, Sydney, on Gadigal land, when six legends will be inducted.
