MEET THE TEAM.

Richard

Partner

Richard kicked off his career working as brand manager at Coca-Cola. He masterminded a worldwide No.1 hit whilst there and decided to quit his ‘proper job’ and cross over to the music industry. He joined Sony Music and then moved to Warner’s EMI, and V2 Records. He brings a wealth of experience to every project as well as a grumpy enthusiasm for new music. In his 30+ years in the industry he has worked on in excess of 250 top 20 records, been a DJ at XFM and lectured at numerous colleges and universities.

David

Partner

David is from the Black Country. His love of melody and Wolverhampton Wanderers is well documented and is a born lateral thinker with 25 years music industry experience. David spent 12 years at the Chrysalis Group of labels and worked across Hit Label, Curb, Echo, Papillon and Chrysalis Copyright imprints and set up Autonomy with Richard when the seismic changes in the music industry appeared in the early noughties. An extremely poor bass player with a comprehensive musical knowledge of 80’s one hit wonders and a regular contributor to the Autonomy swear box, ex mobile DJ and Stourport Boys League Penalty Competition winner 1981.

Valis

Head of Marketing

A crazy cat lady with a career spanning artistry and music business, Valis brings a 360° perspective to artist development. A classically trained soprano turned metal frontwoman, she also holds a First-Class Music Business degree from BIMM University.
At Autonomy, Valis works closely with artists from concept to completion, overseeing release strategy, distribution, timelines, and creative collaborations. Her standout strength is designing strategies that fuel organic growth and algorithmic momentum on DSPs, complementing paid campaigns, while her knowledge of music psychology, alternative culture, and nostalgia marketing ensures artists connect deeply with audiences and achieve sustainable long-term growth.

Joy

Head of Social Media & Campaign Strategy

Joy Eden is a highly driven Music Industry Specialist with extensive experience across artist management, label operations, A&R, sync, and live events. A First-Class graduate in Music Business & Events Management from BIMM Brighton, she has built a strong reputation for designing and executing innovative campaigns that amplify artist visibility and engagement. Her career includes roles at Island Records, One House, Autonomy Music Group, and Unwolf Records, where she managed release strategies, social media, PR, and content creation for both emerging and established artists. Joy has also supported live music at major festivals including The Great Escape and 2000 Trees, where she worked in stage management and artist liaison, collaborating with acts such as Nova Twins & Bob Vylan, During this time, she also contributed as a journalist for Kerrang!, further cementing her connection to the live music scene. Alongside her label and management roles, Joy has worked as a photographer, videographer, and editor, producing live sessions, BTS content, and promotional material for global platforms including Spotify. This blend of creative production and strategic campaign management allows her to bring a unique approach to artist development.

Jayden

Marketing Manager

Jayden is a Marketing Specialist with international experience across label operations, artist marketing, and creative content. He has held international roles with GNL, Eleven58, and Autonomy Music Group, where he managed marketing campaigns, strategic planning, and digital advertising for emerging artists and brands. In addition, Jayden has contributed to independent label development in the UK, shaping fresh marketing approaches that connect artist identity with fan growth. Alongside his industry experience, Jayden specialises in designing and executing targeted campaigns, developing release strategies, and managing PR and social media growth to strengthen artist and brand visibility. With a strong creative background, he also produces content including visuals and digital assets to support campaigns, bringing together industry insight and creative execution to help artists grow their audiences internationally.

Kate

Product & Social Media Manager

Kate Edge is a dynamic Autonomy team member with a focus on digital strategy, artist development, and creative campaign execution. As our Product & Social Media Manager, she leads on storytelling and platform strategy across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify, building impactful campaigns that grow visibility and connect artists with their audience. Before joining Autonomy, Kate gained experience across artist management, content creation, and campaign planning, while also co-founding North Edge Films, a video production company. Her background includes working in artist branding at JFA Music Group, where she contributed to content rollouts and audience development. She has collaborated with clients such as The Ivors Academy, WLDAN, and TX, combining creative production with audience insights to deliver campaigns that are authentic, relevant, and results-driven. Full of positivity, Kate brings both heart and strategy to every project she is a part of.

Barney

Head of Digital Adverstising

P ‘Barney’ Barnes began his career in music with a work experience stint at Manchester’s Factory Records before diving headfirst into the city’s live music scene. While studying Popular Music and Recording at Salford University, he promoted punk gigs, recorded music that found an international audience and somehow found the time to leave with a First Class degree. A decade in a rock band followed, taking him on multiple world tours while running a record label and learning the ropes of digital marketing on the job. After relocating to London, Barney’s career shifted toward music e-commerce and D2C, with notable Head Of Digital Marketing gigs at leading platforms Townsend and PledgeMusic. From managing paid campaigns on UK number-one albums to creating standout social content for globally recognised artists, his portfolio includes Robbie Williams, Bring Me The Horizon, Noel Gallagher, The Libertines, The Reytons, and many others. Beyond his digital marketing expertise, Barney is a devotee of lurid horror films and grotesque comic books, insists on his coffee black, and still harbours a long-held ambition to visit Australia.

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