Alice Vaughan and Carimei Smith appointed to key roles at Various Artists Management
Various Artists Management (VAM) has appointed Alice Vaughan as Director of A&R and promoted Carimei Smith to Senior Day-to-Day Manager/General Manager North America, effective immediately.
Vaughan will be based in London and report directly to VAM CEO David Bianchi, Danny D And Tim Blacksmith (Stella/Alternative Songs) and Joe Etchells (Global Head of A&R Various Artists Management/Alternative Songs).
VAM’s roster includes Tom Grennan, Good Neighbours, Melanie C, Ashnikko, The Libertines, Supergrass, La Roux and Rose Grey.
The role will see Vaughan work in VAM’s (Alternative Songs) publishing department and record label (23 Recordings) and manage the label’s roster of writers and producers.
Vaughan’s wide-ranging career in music spans over a decade. During her five years at Sony Music Publishing, she signed artists such as Lola Young, Ellie Goulding and Matilda Mann and represented internationally successful songwriters and producers such as Phil Plested, Jamie Scott and Digital Farm Animals. It also signed Sam Romans, the writer behind Lewis Capaldi’s global hit Someone You Loved.
Her most recent role was Director of A&R at EMI Records where her signings included Caity Baser.
VAM also announced the promotion of Carimei Smith to Senior Day-to-Day Manager/General Manager North America.
Smith has been with VAM for three years, overseeing global music campaigns for artists including Ashnikko, Good Neighbors, Melanie C, Tom Grennan and Barns Courtney.
VAM noted that he has played a critical role in managing artist relationships while also overseeing studio and financial operations in the US.
During her tenure at VAM, Smith has worked closely with the roster in relation to North America. He has contributed to the success of Good Neighbors’ platinum single in the US Home and played a key role in the release of Ashnikko’s debut album Herbicide and his sold-out US tour.
“I’m so excited to continue to grow our footprint and team here at Various Artists Management in Los Angeles, and so happy to continue to be a part of such a great team.”
Carrie Smith
Commenting on her promotion, Smith said, “I’m so excited to continue to grow our footprint and team here at Various Artists Management in Los Angeles, and I’m so happy to continue to be a part of such a great team.”
“Collaborating with alternative artists from their embryonic early stage to achieving global success while contributing culturally is key and something that VAM does brilliantly.”
Alice Vaughan
Vaughan added: “Working with alternative artists from the early embryonic stage to achieving global success while contributing culturally is key, and it’s something that VAM does brilliantly.
“In a time of rapid change in the industry and a time where the opportunity for original artists and non-linear thinkers is so great, I’m especially excited to be working with this team and their roster.”
“Alice’s outstanding track record over the past decade speaks for itself and is testament to her passion and commitment. We are so excited to welcome her to the team.
David Bianchi
David Bianchi said: “Alice’s outstanding track record over the past decade speaks for itself and is testament to her passion and commitment. We are so excited to welcome her to the team.”
“Carimei is a huge part of the VAM family and has played a key role in many of its recent global successes. I am thrilled to see her elevated to this new and thoroughly deserved position!”
Matt Luxon
CEO Matt Luxon said: “Carimei is a huge part of the VAM family and has played a key role in many of its recent global successes. I am thrilled to see her elevated to this new and thoroughly deserved position!”
CEO Matt Luxon said: “Carimei is a huge part of the VAM family and has played a key role in many of its recent global successes. I am thrilled to see her elevated to this new and thoroughly deserved position!”
VAM achieved two No. 1 album in the last 12 months with The Libertines and Tom Grennan in the UK, as well as one of the fastest-streaming debut tracks ever with Good Neighbors, who were announced as one of three artists on the Brit-nominated Rising Star Award of 2025.Music Business Worldwide