Why join The Agents' Association?

We pursue

A policy that guarantees the high quality of Membership by carefully vetting each applicant.

We provide

• A friendly and productive relationship with fellow agents, with the positive results arising from close contact with other offices.
• Guidance in running your Entertainment Agency and advice that is so valuable when dealing with day-to-day problems.
• Copyright documents and Sole Agency documentation.
• A forum for negotiations with Members and other Entertainment organisations.

We protect

The welfare and interests of Members.

We act against

Abuses which occur in the industry by using the authority the Association possesses.

Members benefit from

The Office

The Association's Office is operated on a full time basis and is staffed during normal office hours by its Administrator and support staff based in Central London.

The Council

The National Council of Management is elected from the Membership and is undoubtedly made up of some of the most highly respected agents in the Entertainment Industry. The Council meets each month to discuss the affairs of the Association, to manage its business, to develop policy and to act on matters affecting Agents and their clients.

The Council of Management offers facilities for conciliation in industrial disputes. It also acts as an impartial arbitrator should differences arise between Members in the normal course of business, thus saving time and, more importantly, the expense of litigation.

The Membership Services Department

The Association has a Membership Services Department specifically and actively engaged in investigating cases of non-payment of commissions and fees. Furthermore it gathers and circulates information to forewarn Members and prevent potentially difficult situations. This service is available to help and advise members at all times.

Newsletters

Newsletters are issued regularly to Members keeping them updated on the work of the Council and on the latest developments in, and regulations affecting, the Entertainment Industry.

Business Links

Together with the organisations* listed below, The Agents' Association (GB) is a constituent member of The Variety and Light Entertainment Council of Great Britain (VLEC) and full Members are automatically registered as 'Approved Agents' of that body at no additional cost.

In addition, the Association, along with The Musicians Union, Equity and Club Management bodies, plays an integral part of the operation of the 'North East Entertainments Council'. This organisation has played an important role over many years in minimising the problems in that section of our industry.

Legislation and Regulation

Since the inception of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act, regular meetings have been held with the Agency Standards Office at the Department of Trade and Industry. The Agents' Association has been consulted often, and in great detail, by the DTI with regard to the changes to the Regulations under the 1973 Employment Agencies Act which were framed in the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003, which came into force in April 2004.

At The Agents' Association, we believed that the potential legal limitations contained in these Regulations would substantially and perhaps adversely affect the operation of the agency business as we knew it in this country. Given the diversity of controls in the various member states of the EU, it is hard to envisage agents in the UK not being further restricted. It was of the utmost importance that the voice of The Agents' Association was heard, and its views considered, during the drafting of the new Regulations. It was and is our aim to influence positively the outcome of these proceedings and their eventual application on a day to day basis such as to minimise the undoubted threats posed to the livelihood of our Members in the UK.

Our easy to absorb 'Bullet List' of the most salient points in the Regulations is available to Members as a free download in the Members Only area of this site.

Social Events

The Agents' Association organises an annual Ball - often in London but, more recently, in the provinces - each March. This is always well attended, and features star name cabaret and music. Many of our branches also hold annual functions, from shows to dinner dances, where members can bring guests and meet with their peers in a social context.

Services

You can purchase Agents' Association standard documents including the 'Act as Known' Contract (now amalgamated with the VLEC Standard Contract and approved by Equity & the MU) and, if required, the associated Contract Program, direct from the Association. Other valuable documents such as the Sole Agency Agreement, Commission Notes for various types of engagement and the Split Commission Agreement Letters are available free of charge once you become a Member. The Members Only area of this website offers all free documents for immediate download - many of them with accompanying text describing their use and application.

Regional Network

Regular meetings are held in London, Scotland, the North West, the North East, Yorkshire, the Midlands, the South West and the South of England. Details of each of the regions can be found on the Regional Network page.

New Members

If you would like to be considered for Membership of The Agents' Association (Great Britain) please contact Head Office - either by email: association@agents-uk.com or by telephone on 020 7834 0515. We will need to know your full name, address, trading name, telephone number(s) and length of experience in the agency business before forwarding our Application Pack.

Applicants must satisfy the Council of Management of their ability and willingness to conform to the rules and regulations of The Association and the established Code of Conduct.