Fiona McGugan

Fiona is an associate in the SMB Music team, specialising in intellectual property and commercial matters across the music and wider entertainment industries. She advises artists, songwriters, producers, managers, record labels, music publishers, event production companies and international music companies on a range of copyright, licensing, and commercial issues. Her work also includes representing composers working in film, television, and advertising, helping to protect and commercialise their rights in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Prior to qualifying as a lawyer, Fiona spent over a decade in senior roles within the music industry. As Director of Strategy and Operations at the Music Managers Forum (MMF), she represented over 700 UK music managers and led campaigns around transparency, digital rights, and fair remuneration. She also co-founded the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers with YouTube Music in 2018 – now a leading national programme for next-generation music entrepreneurs.

Fiona holds a Masters degree in Entertainment Law (LLM, 2017) and has authored published research on the making available right and the economics of music streaming. She continues to be an active voice in conversations around mental health in music, having written the original MMF’s Mental Health Guide for Managers in 2016 and has contributed commentary to The Guardian and Music Business Worldwide.

She has also worked closely with the Featured Artists Coalition, produced the Artist & Manager Awards for eight years, and remains a passionate supporter of the live sector. Fiona sits on the Global Music Advisory Board for In Place of War and is a proud mentor with Cat’s Mother, a voluntary network supporting young women starting out in the music industry.