Zena White

COO, Partisan Records

A moment in your career when you really backed yourself.

“When my boss Alex Robinson, founder of The Other Hand (the label services company I joined in London in 2011) decided to leave the music business in 2014, I had three options:  get a whole new job, work for one of our clients or take over running the company. 

The third option seemed like the most exciting! I had never run a business before but I was hungry to grow and learned a tremendous amount over the following three years. 

I wouldn't have the job that I love today without this experience.”

One thing you’re proud of in your career.

“I'm so proud of the team at Partisan, which was 12 including me when I joined as MD in 2017, and is now 55 including our publishing team.

Totally dedicated to the artists we work with, their relationships with each other are built on trust, which allows for a dynamic flow and quick solutions to problems.

I love managing people and helping them grow professionally.

Managing people isn't hard, it's just time consuming because you have to listen, give honest feedback, and let people find their own path to results.”

Name another woman in music who inspires you, and why.

“So many!  

Shirin Foroutan, MD of Europe at UMPG, has been an incredible friend and mentor to me since she was running Mute Records and Publishing when I was at The Other Hand. 

She inspired me with her fearlessness when challenging the status quo and taught me to invest in and take care of great people on your team.”