Industry and political leaders unite behind UK Music call for action on diversity

Industry and political leaders have united behind UK Music’s call for action on diversity following the publication of its 2020 Music Industry Diversity Survey and Ten-Point Plan.

The report and biennial diversity survey was widely welcomed across the political spectrum, the music business and the wider creative sector.

The report found representation of Black, Asian and ethnic minorities and women up at almost every level and a big increase in women and those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities entering the music industry since 2016.

However, UK Music and its Diversity Taskforce said that, despite the improvements, more work was still needed to support women and those from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities, particularly in boosting representation at a senior level.

The report included a ground-breaking Ten-Point Plan which has the backing of all UK Music’s members and many others across the industry. You can read the full report and Ten-Point Plan here.

Some of the reaction to the report can be seen below:

Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Creative Industries:

“It is brilliant to see positive signs of representation improving across British music and I hope the industry can make further progress on this working with UK Music."

June Sarpong, Director of Creative Diversity, BBC:

“I’m glad to see that the UK Music Diversity Taskforce has produced a clear and concise Ten-Point Plan that will help music industry leaders deliver real change. The music industry has been a great platform for diverse performers and musicians but has not replicated this inclusivity behind the scenes. There are countless talented young diverse people looking to contribute their skills and help the industry be all that it can and therefore better serve the broad diverse range of consumers it serves.”

Penny Blackham, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Music Board:

“All industry organisations need to reflect the learnings from this report and act quickly and effectively to oversee change. The SCR Music Board will definitely take a lead from this report and urge others to scrutinise their set ups too.”

Andrea C Martin, Chief Executive Officer, PRS for Music:

“There is much in the findings of this year’s UK Music Diversity Report that shows our industry is starting to move in the right direction, but it is also evident that more must be done. Our commitment to the UK Music Ten-Point Plan will keep challenging us to scrutinise and address every area of our business, from our internal culture, to recruitment, right through to senior representation and our Board.”

Peter Leathem, Chief Executive Officer, PPL:

“At PPL, we recognise the importance of engaging with our staff on equality, diversity and inclusivity issues and we have also sought to play an active part in driving wider change across the UK music industry. As part of this, we are committed to working with the UK Music Diversity Taskforce and our own internal Diversity Forum on the implementation of the Ten-Point Plan to help drive further positive change to ensure that anyone - regardless of race, gender, sexuality, age, disability, background or any other characteristic - can succeed within music.”

Ged Doherty, BPI Chairman and Co-Chair of the BPI Equality and Justice Advisory Group:

“The Diversity Survey, just like our own work to refresh The BRITs Voting Academy in 2016, shows how vitally important data is to the process of change – enabling you to better identify and understand what needs to be fixed and then tracking any progress against this. But that’s only half the story – you then need a clear plan of action to address what the data is telling you, and the Ten-Point Plan does that.”

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI, BRIT Awards & Mercury Prize:

“We promoted this survey strongly to our membership, since it shines a powerful light on whether progress is being made promoting equality of opportunity and inclusion in labels, and right across our industry. While there is some good news to welcome, in particular it is clear that we have more to do to ensure proportionate representation of women and executives of colour at the most senior levels. The BPI has signed up to the Ten-Point Plan so that, working together, our industry can deliver lasting and meaningful change.”

FAC, Sandie Shaw, Honorary President and David Martin, Chief Executive Officer:

“As a company and an artists membership body, we have a duty to be a positive agent for change and tackle the systematic and persistent racism that we continue to witness in the music industry and in wider society. We have been a proud member of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce and we really welcomed the opportunity to help develop the Ten Point Plan over the last 9 months, which we look forward to implementing at the Featured Artists Coalition. ”

Graham Davies, Chief Executive Officer, The Ivors Academy:

“The Ivors Academy welcomes the new UK Music Diversity Report and Ten-Point Plan which seeks to further address the lack of proper diversity and representation in the music industry. As the professional home for all music creators we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive music industry. While there has been some positive movement there is still a long way to go. The Ivors Academy looks forward to working with colleagues across the industry to bring about lasting change.”

Horace Trubridge, General Secretary, Musicians’ Union:

“The Ten-Point Plan is an essential initiative for the entire music industry to share ideas, change practices and remove the barriers to improving diversity. Keeping organisations on track and accountable for their actions is fundamental if we want to see real change. The plan will help guide the MU’s work both with employees and members to ensure we are taking a 360 approach to build a more diverse membership and workforce.”

Nigel Elderton, Chairman, PRS for Music:

“Music creators are the epicentre of our world - there should be no question or doubt cast over whether they are valued and represented equally, given the same opportunities, and access to career progression. We must do more, collectively, and individually, to ensure that is the case. PRS for Music actively supports the UK Music Diversity Taskforce and its mission to make our industry a fair and inclusive space for everyone, at every level.”

Paul Craig, Chair, MMF:

“We are delighted to have contributed to the formation of the Diversity Taskforce’s Ten-Point Plan and are pleased to incorporate these guidelines into the overall strategy of the MMF, as well as influencing our everyday working practice and ongoing commitment to supporting our membership. With just over 1,000 members and five staff we are a small but growing organisation and our dedication to providing continuous support to a diverse range of music managers will be amplified by incorporating the Ten-Point Plan into the MMF’s core activities.”

Roberto Neri, Chair, MPA:

“We are proud to live in a richly diverse country and to work in a sector built upon cultural collaboration. However, that history is not reflected in our workforce and our community lacks the inclusivity of its heritage. UK Music’s Ten-Point Plan is a commitment toward our collective work to change that. Together, we must be unafraid to address inequality and discrimination in all forms and to give equal voice, visibility and authority to our black and minority ethnic colleagues. We at the MPA are already working to deliver change and leadership and we encourage all parts of the music industry to join us in this pledge.”

Paul Pacifico, CEO of AIM:

“I am delighted to see the launch of UK Music’s Ten-Point Plan to help lead our sector to a better place on equality, diversity and inclusion. We are all accountable and responsible for its implementation. Amongst our own commitments and actions, AIM is working with key partners to educate, inform and evolve our community and organisation to one that better reflects our society. AIM is working to break down the barriers that perpetuate structural inequality by delivering key information and support to new entrepreneurs at the very start of their careers and by providing the networks, knowledge and pathways to enable people from any background or identity to grow a successful business in music today.”

Music Producers Guild:

“The MPG are grateful for the work of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce in putting together the Ten-Point Plan, which provides clear and concrete steps we can take today to improve diversity both in the MPG and the wider production and studio community. We look forward to building on recent efforts to increase participation in our awards, our AGM and our membership.”

Ailsa McWilliam, Director of Operations, Attitude is Everything:

“As a new member of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce, Attitude is Everything warmly welcomes the publication of the Ten-Point Plan for UK Music members. We know from our own work that change happens when people have a clear framework and set of targets to work towards – exactly what this plan provides to companies. Moving forward, we will be looking at how we can integrate these recommendations into our existing Equality and Diversity Action Plan in order we can continue to break down the barriers that remain in the industry.”

Alex Pleasants and Joanna Abeyie, Co-Secretaries APPG for Creative Diversity:

“As the music industry begins to recover, it is essential that we do not rebuild the same barriers to talent that existed before the pandemic. Transparent data and implementable steps are key and this report from UK Music addresses both. A positive move towards an inclusive future for the sector.”

Amy Lamé, London’s Night Czar:

“London is one of the most diverse cities in the world and it’s important that this is reflected in our music industry. I’m pleased that progress is being made, but it is clear much more needs to be done to improve representation, particularly at senior executive levels. The UK Music Ten-Point Plan is an important step forward and response to widespread calls to make systemic change in the industry. I urge others to build on it and take action to boost diversity in this important sector.”

Lord Vaizey, Former Technology & Culture Minister:

“This latest report from UK Music is an encouraging step forward for inclusion and equality in the sector. Lasting structural change in music requires cohesion within industry and collaboration with policymakers and I hope this paper will mark a turning point in that journey.”

Amanda Maxwell, Chair, UK Music Futures Group:

“The Ten-Point Plan is an intrinsic and vital point of reference for intersectionality within the workplace not just for the music industry but vital to all industries, in fact it represents a form of legislation we should encourage. UK Music Futures which is the millennial board to the UK Music board will encourage its use and uphold the values of the Ten-Point Plan as it embarks on its new chapter of progressive change.”

Black Music Coalition:

“The Ten-Point Plan is a comprehensive response to the seismic shift that the industry is undergoing; a shift many of us thought we’d never see. It is imperative that we implement actions like these to create a sustainable legacy after the hashtags stop trending. Black industry professionals, executives, artists and people deserve equality, equity and a dedicated agenda for change. We hope this plan provides the focus and transparency needed to achieve this.”

Garth Crooks OBE, Former Professional Footballer and Broadcaster:

“Addressing systemic racism and rebalancing the dynamics of power in any industry is a tall order but I’m willing to join the fight. The Ten-Point Plan is a great start.”

Ian Wright MBE, Former Professional Footballer and Broadcaster:

“We’re all fans of some kind of music, it’s still one of my favourite passions and something that has always motivated me. I had no idea there was even a UK Music Diversity Taskforce but thank God for it. Any checks and balances we can put in place to level the playing field when it comes to equality, inclusion and diversity is alright by me. More of this please!”

Joe Frankland, Chief Executive Officer, PRS Foundation

“Congratulations to the UK Music Diversity Taskforce on spearheading this important new Ten-Point Plan which will bring the industry together to drive positive change around diversity and inclusion. We welcome these new commitments and through PRS Foundation’s targeted inclusivity programmes, and collaboration with the music industry and music community, we will play a vital role in helping make those commitments a reality to bring about meaningful positive change.”

John Smith OBE, Chairman, PPL

“The music we enjoy today would sound very different were it not for the diversity of sounds, styles and experiences of songwriters and performers down through the ages. It is vital that our industry embraces and encourages musicians and executives from all walks of life, and creates an environment for creativity to flourish. This Ten-Point Plan is an important step in that direction.”

Koko Nightclub Team London:

“The fight for diversity is at a key moment in our history. Ammo and the whole team at UK Music and it’s Diversity Taskforce are at the forefront of this inspired change that will have a positive effect on us all for decades to come.”

Lord Bilimoria CBE DL, CBI President:

“It is brilliant to see such a well thought through Ten-Point Plan from the UK Music Taskforce. The plan sets out some sound principles for all sections of the industry and frankly good practice that could be adapted by other sectors. The business case for diversity and inclusion is sound, the top quartile of organisations which embrace diversity and inclusion are 36% more profitable than those in the bottom quartile. The CBI have also taken action and have created the Change the Race Ratio campaign to improve racial and ethnic minority participation at a senior level in British businesses.”

Mervyn Lyn, UK Diversity Taskforce:

“Having spent my entire working life in the business of music I know how unequal the industry has been, I’d add to that though it is changing. 2020 has certainly been a year to reflect and reset not just on our own lives but the lives of so many others. It’s an honour to be a part of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce and to be involved in creating this Ten-Point Plan to monitor and change for the better, the diversity within an industry I love so much. There is so much diversity “on stage” but now we can shine the spotlight on the teams behind the artists and help them too to reflect that openness to inclusion and equality artists have been doing for years.”

Michael Eakin, Chair of Liverpool City Region Music Board and CEO of Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

“This report shows encouraging progress in the sector and that positive change is possible with concerted action. But there is still much to do, and the Liverpool City Region Music Board is determined to play its part in further improving the diversity of the music industry in our area, and nationally.”

Mykaell Riley, Director Black Music Research Unit, University of Westminster:

“In planning any future, we have to grapple with the past. In this context, UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce has engaged with the complex and nuanced challenge of setting out a way to reposition our industry via a Ten-Point Plan. The plan acts as a road map that embraces the journey we’ve been on, but notably the route we all now need to take. The report has the ‘full support of the UK Music’s ten board member bodies’, as a diverse community of contributors to the music industry, we’ve found the light and it’s shining on you.”

Nadia Khan, Founder of Women in CTRL:

“Women in CTRL will use the Ten-Point Plan, to shape our future work on behalf of its 1000 members. Our ‘Seat at the Table’ report (July 2020) highlighted the lack of diversity in board rooms, and we will continue our work to support new candidates for board positions and demystify the election process. We embrace the diversity targets, the call to abolish the outdated term BAME and the Gender & Ethnicity pay gap reporting.”

Indy Vidyalankara: PR, Comms & Diversity consultant, Indypendent PR, Member of Diversity Taskforce

“I’m proud of the great work being done as part of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce, bringing to light the evidence of the gaps and areas to improve for the increased diversity and equality for our current and future music industry workforce. The Ten-Point Plan is robust and will future-proof a sector that is ripe for major change. It’s exciting to see the buy in for change across the board and I am optimistic for the sustained success and longevity of the industry that we love and value.”

Councillor Peter Bradbury, Cardiff Council Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure:

“We very much welcome this report from UK Music, publishing the findings of workforce diversity in the music industry. Clearly from the analysis much more work needs to be done to address equality of opportunity within the music business, increasing diverse representation within the music ecosystem to truly reflect diversity across the UK. Eradicating inequality is central to all our work in Cardiff. Working with the Cardiff Music Board we intend to do all we can to remove systemic barriers to encourage talent development, to help create a level playing field for all who are committed to working in the industry.”