Legendary figure from the UK indie scene. Founder of [[label:Creation Records]], its short-lived WEA sublabel satellite [[label:Elevation (2)]] and more recently [[label:Creation23]]. After selling Creation wholly to Sony Music in 2000, founded [[label:Poptones]]. Also owns publishing companies Creation Music, Poptones Music and Creation Management (home to the [[artist:Client]], [[artist:Dirty Pretty Things]], [[artist:Charlatans]] and more…). As of 2006, is running three clubnights: the international night Death Disco and two other London Club nights: The Queen is Dead and Now We're Off To Rehab.

In the early 80s, Alan also founded [[label:Essential Records (5)]], which released notable punk records by Scotland's [[artist:Last Rites (3)]] and Cambridge, England's [[artist:Subculture (12)]], among others.

Married to [[artist:Kate Holmes]].