Finland’s Backbone Management have started their international expansion with the opening of a UK office.
To date, the company – formed in 2014 by CEO Panu Piippo and head of management Antti Eriksso – have steered the careers of Finnish acts including Ville Valo (VV, HIM), The Rasmus and Blind Channel to international success, establishing some of Finland’s biggest musical exports worldwide.
Leading the new UK operation will be The Noise Cartel’s director Adam Sagir, who brings 25 years of music industry experience which includes time as a label manager, booking agent, artist manager and music PR at The Noise Cartel, which he will continue to run alongside this new endeavour.
Joining the twelve Finnish acts on Backbone’s roster – which also includes Swallow The Sun, Ensiferum, Atlas and Stam1na – are three new British signings in the form of Grammy nominated rock duo Bones UK, Sikth, and modern Vexed.
Working alongside Adam is truly exciting –
his experience and passion make him
the perfect partner for this new chapterPanu Piippo
Speaking about his appointment, Adam Sagir said: “I’m very excited to be partnering with Antti and Panu and starting this journey with three of the most exciting bands the UK has to offer. Partnering with an experienced team like Backbone, and being able to rely on their established and knowledgeable team for support, will allow me to focus on the elements of management that most appeal to me – working alongside talented artists to help bring their creative visions to life, and ensuring their dreams are supported by a successful professional career.”
Backbone say the move makes them ‘the first Finnish management company to expand internationally”.
Antti Eriksson said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be taking the next step and expanding in to the UK. I have known Adam for years and there is no better partner to start this journey with. Sikth, Bones UK and Vexed are all unique, stand out artists that I am a huge fan of, and they are truly a fantastic addition to our already strong artist roster. We have been working hard over the past ten years towards this and finally we are doing it.”
CEO Panu Piippo added: "Opening an office in London is an important milestone for us and a fantastic opportunity to continue Backbone Management’s international growth. Working alongside Adam is truly exciting – his experience and passion make him the perfect partner for this new chapter. We look forward to building long-term careers together and to shaping the future of music management on a truly global scale. We are also thrilled to welcome Bones UK, Sikth, and Vexed to the Backbone family."
The Finnish team also includes managers Katja Vauhkonen – a 21-year veteran of the industry who started at Sony Music Finland, and claimed the Manager Of The Year award (2019) at the Finnish Music Industry Awards, and Henkka Seppälä, former bassplayer for bestselling Finnish metal band Children Of Bodom, who joined Backbone in 2023.
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