Clive Rich


Principal, Rich Futures

Consultant, Olswang

Clive is the Principal of Rich Futures and a Consultant to Olswang, working closely with the Firm's music and new media practices. Olswang and Rich Futures have an exclusive agreement which combines the expertise and reputations of both businesses, to provide cutting edge commercial, business and legal advice to clients.

Clive has a 25 year history of excellence in the Music business as a lawyer, Board Director and Strategic Director. He is a resourceful and creative negotiator and deal maker, and a successful change-agent with a record of generating new business quickly and profitably.

Clive created and ran Sony BMG Music UK’s “Futures Division” as SVP, which was the first of its kind in the UK Music Industry. Futures was responsible for all Sony BMG’s new and developing business - including its digital music business, TV programming and brand partnerships. During this period, Futures achieved a six-fold increase in digital income, and supported the successful business development of Simon Cowell’s “Syco TV".

Prior to his role as SVP of Futures for Sony BMG, Clive was VP, Legal and Business Affairs, Digital and HR for BMG UK. In this role Clive introduced a ground-breaking new artist recording contract, creating standards of transparency, perceived fairness and ease of use which has set a new benchmark for UK recording agreements. Clive also ran BMG’s Digital Division and negotiated BMG’s agreements with 19 TV for worldwide Pop Idol Recording rights. He has held senior business affairs positions with BMG Europe, BMG Music Publishing and WEA Records. Clive has also chaired Phonographic Performance Limited and the British Phonographic Institute Rights Committee.

Clive left Sony BMG, armed with powerful insights in to the creation of new value for music. He has since provided digital consulting and business affairs services to, among others, the Royal Opera House, the UK Government’s Technology Strategy Board, the Investment House “Ariadne”, and the Association of Independent Music. He is also a shareholder in, and provides business development services to, a number of emerging music and media digital companies.