Maria Forte is leaving V2 after 21 years working within Richard Branson's Virgin Group of companies to head new online business-to-business group MusicState.

Forte, who was one of the original gang of five who set up V2 and is currently director of commercial affairs at V2 Music Publishing, will become COO at the web music division of GlobalState, the umbrella group which includes MusicState and photo and film/video companies.

Her brief is to build MusicState's team and help acquire repertoire ...