Boutique business affairs firm Hoare Associates – which works with clients including FUGA, Warner Music Group, Involved Group, NCS, Mark Ralph, AEI, and The Other Songs – is marking its 10th anniversary with a series of senior appointments.
Founded in 2015 by Richard Hoare, and with offices in Somerset and London, Hoare Associates supports lawyers and businesses in the music and creative industries. Today (October 6) the company has revealed three internal leadership promotions, with Ridley Waterhouse becoming business affairs director, Giselle Allier appointed as legal affairs director and Sophie Day becoming operations director.
In addition to this, the firm has also welcomed David Turnbull, former SVP of legal & business affairs at Sony Music UK as its first non-executive director.
The Hoare Associates team
Speaking about the appointments, founder Richard Hoare said: “Ten years ago, Hoare Associates was just me, a laptop, and a hunch that legal services could be reimagined in a more human-centric way – one that nurtures healthier relationships across the creative industries. Today we’re a team of fifteen, supporting brilliant clients across the UK and beyond – and these appointments reflect the exceptional talent that has helped us get here.”
“Ridley brings the leadership, calm and effectiveness of someone with twice his age and experience,” Hoare continued. “Giselle is adored by clients and the team – her impeccable standards set the benchmark for everything we do. And Sophie’s growth has been meteoric. She leads with sharpness, empathy and vision. David’s retirement from frontline legal work came at just the right moment – his experience and stewardship will help shape our next ten years.”
The last decade has been extraordinary, but
I genuinely believe our best work is ahead of us
Richard Hoare, Hoare Associates
Speaking about his own appointment, David Turnbull said: “I am absolutely delighted to be involved with such a focussed, progressive and friendly firm. Richard and his team will go from strength to strength in the years to come, and I am looking forward to playing a small part in their success.”
An official press release stated that Hoare Associates – an alternative legal service provider (ALSP) – is “helping reshape how legal support works in music and media.”
“There’s still some uncertainty around what ALSPs do,” concluded Richard Hoare. “But it’s becoming clear that today’s business landscape has a problem: too much paperwork, not enough bandwidth. Our unique mix of legal talent, process excellence and smart tech is a powerful answer to that. And we’ve built a dynamic environment where contract professionals can thrive and bring meaningful support to in-house teams. The last decade has been extraordinary, but I genuinely believe our best work is ahead of us.”
Photo: HA Board (L-R) David Turnbull, Sophie Day, Richard Hoare, Giselle Allier, Ridley Waterhouse
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