Straight out of college, John began his music career as a motorbike courier for a company who created music for the Film, TV and Advertising industry. This led to being offered a position at one of London’s prestigious Air `Studios, working alongside such legends as the late George Martin, Hans Zimmer and Paul McCartney. Moving to music publishing, John joined Chrysalis, working with a host of incredible songwriters, culminating in his first global #1 hit : George Michael and Aretha Franklin’s – “I knew you were waiting for me”. A move to MCA Music Publishing followed.

Building MCA into a highly creative publishing entity, signing one of Europe’s hottest acts, Fairground Attraction, catapulting them to #1 with the still huge earner “Perfect”. Moving to PolyGram, helmed by Sir Lucian Grainge. As a team they were the seen as the hottest in town, signing great acts from Lighthouse Family, to Fat Boy Slim and looking after greats like Van Morrison. Developing a film division presence, after purchasing Working Title, John was posted music supervisor for a movie which was to become one of the biggest earners from a UK company, “Four Weddings & a Funeral” which featured the colossal hit “Love is all around” by Wet Wet Wet, their biggest ever record.

PolyGram Germany was next the next moon the cards, starting the film publishing and record division for PolyGram, based in Hamburg. Moving to Cape Town in 1996, John started PolyGram in January 1997 (later acquired by Universal). During this tenure at Universal, he was the key-point person who negotiated and ultimately concluded the first ever Digital Licensing agreement in the territory, between NORM and Exactmobile, which set the precedence for all future mechanical digital deals in this country. John was also the brainchild, creator and instigator behind CAPASSO, the mechanical right society in SA. Exiting Universal, John partnered with music industry legend, Kosie van Niekerk, in the founding of a new independent music publishing venture called Active Music Publishing.

The drive behind the new venture (hence the company name) was to create a pro-actively driven publishing house, bringing actual value to the composers you represent. Now in its’ 14th year, the company is deemed a formidable force in South Africa.