Sharif Ahmed

Synch Licensing Consultant

After graduating from Redbridge Technical College, Sharif took a leap in 1994 and left London for Los Angeles to attend UCLA Extension for 5 years earning a Recording Engineering Certificate and a further Music Business Certificate with modules in Music Copyright. In conjunction with his studies, Sharif entered a variety of internship programs gaining experience in the music industry with notable companies such as Universal Pictures Studios, Columbia Records and Epic Records. In between his studies, Sharif spent his nights and weekends working at Ocean Way Recording Studios - as a studio assistant - working on sessions for artist such as Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Rolling Stones and producers in the likes of, Don Was, Dr.Dre, Trevor Horn and the legendary Phil Spector. He later managed Echo Sounds Recording studios in Los Angeles where the West coast Hip-Hop sound originated from, assisting artists such as Tupac Shakur and Grammy Award-winning rapper Coolio.

Furthermore, Sharif worked as a Licensing Executive at Sunshine Records – an independent label with BMG Distribution drafting contracts and licensing tracks for film and TV by such artist as Karen Young and rapper Skee-Lo with his hit single 'I – Wish'.

Having graduated from UCLA Extension in 1999, he returned to the UK, where he secured a position in the royalty and business affairs department at BBC Worldwide Limited. Sharif was soon given some key independent TV producers and reported to Nelson Mandela, JK Rolwing, Endemol (UK) and Sony Pictures.

Eventually, Sharif went back to crafting his music licensing / negotiating skills and went on to work overseeing the music clearance and business affairs on films such as Layer Cake (Sony Pictures) and Kinky Boots (Bena Vista). As one of the most experienced music licensing characters in film, television and ads today, Sharif has developed a solid portfolio with a diverse clientele from Universal Pictures (UK), Warner Records (US), Teenage Cancer Trust, 19th Management, producer’s such as Nigel Sinclair (Sliding Doors,Terminator 3), director Julian Temple (The Great Rock & Roll Swindle, Absolute Beginners) artist such as Pete Townshend, The Who and Robert Plant, to high profile film projects such as Amazing Journey -The Story of The Who (Spitfire Pictures / Universal Pictures), The Glastonbury Festival (BBC Films/ Pathe).

Sharif joined Leap Music on April 2009 and has predominantly been working on all the Burberry ad campaign as well as M&S.