My last post as owner of Defected & Glitterbox. It’s been a wild but rewarding journey......an incredible ride. 23 years of iconic memories. Way more highs than lows... Few get the privilege of working on incredible music, with inspirational artists and dedicated staff...there are far too many to mention but I thank each and every one of them. My intuition has guided me well and I have decided that for the company to continue it’s progressive journey that it needs a new approach, fresh energy. There is a well known mantra at Apple which I regularly quote; “I’d rather be a Pirate than in the Navy”. I’d like to believe Defected are House music pirates. We first set sail on January 1st 1999. Waving the flag for the culture we love, we marauded our way through the music industry. Our mission was simple. Build a global reputation & a catalogue that someday might be considered alongside the great labels that always inspired me.....Strictly Rhythm, Philadelphia International, Salsoul, Prelude.... 650 releases, silver, gold & platinum discs, multiple labels, festivals in London, Croatia, residencies in Ibiza, and the world over have helped amass an impressive and engaged online community..... We may just have got close to those early ambitions... All captains need a first mate to steady the ship and lead the crew. Wez Saunders has been my right hand man for 8 years. Together we navigated Defected into prolific times, built an incredible team and a treasure chest of masters and publishing catalogue’s. So I am proud to be handing over the business to in such vibrant times and to announce that Wez Saunders is now co-owner and CEO of Optimum Defected Holdings Ltd. I am not abandoning ship and I’ll continue to be part of the Defected’s campaigns as consultant to the a&r team. It is important to me that that there is a continuum. A continuation keeping the company structure, maintaining Defected’s approach to quality music and events. To continue to deliver our promises and obligations to our community, our artists, staff and all those that have helped us get here...... Collectively we will discover new treasures. House Music All Life Long!