Sharkey surprised the trade by announcing on Friday that he would be stepping down with immediate effect from the organisation he helped to establish in 2008.

Dipple has already been named as acting CEO while a replacement is found.

And insiders believe it is only a matter of time before her position as head of UK Music is formalised.

"Jo has a great political knowledge, is an extremely hard worker and would be ideal for the job," said one source ...