Music managers named for 2020 Accelerator programme

The UK’s Music Managers Forum (MMF) and YouTube have unveiled the 20 music managers that will benefit from the 2020 Accelerator programme, a funding and educational initiative for upcoming music managers.

This year’s participants – the second wave of managers to take part in the programme – represent a diverse range of 66 artists, songwriters and producers, and include managers of acts shortlisted for the Brit Awards Rising Star award, the BBC Sound of 2020 and the Mercury Prize.

Over half the group are based outside of London, with women making up 40% of the participants and 50% coming from BAME backgrounds. Only three currently operate as full time music managers, with the majority balancing this role with other freelance, consultative or short term employment.

Developed by MMF and supported by YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Music Industry Association (SMIA), 24 managers across England and Scotland took part in the inaugural Accelerator programme in 2019, receiving year-long grants of up to £15,000 and more than 80 hours of manager-specific education courses.

Over the 12 months the managers participated in the programme, the number of artists they represent went up by over 20% on average.

“The goal of Accelerator is to help these individuals grow their business, build their network and develop their skillsbase”

“I am delighted to welcome another 20 managers onto the Accelerator Programme,” comments programme manager Paul Bonham. “The quality of applications was, yet again, ridiculously strong, but after a tough and competitive selection process we have another seriously high calibre group onboard. It’s especially pleasing to have more female managers involved, more managers from BAME backgrounds and more managers from outside of London.

“The goal of Accelerator is to help these individuals grow their business, build their network and develop their skillsbase.”

“YouTube Music is proud to be continuing our partnership with the Music Managers Forum on the Accelerator Programme, which has proven to be a game-changer in providing emerging managers the opportunity to hone their skills and focus on their business,” says YouTube Music artist partnerships manager Roz Mansfield.

“We were over the moon to see so many success stories coming out of the last 12 months of the programme and cannot wait to see what the new class of 2020 will go on to achieve.”

A full list of 2020 Accelerator participants can be found here.

Photo: Accelerator 2020 participants, plus Annabella Coldrick (MMF CEO), Azi Eftekhari (Head of Label Relations (EMEA), YouTube), Paul Bonham (Accelerator Programme Manager MMF), Jayne Stynes (GM MMF) and Gemma Cropper (Manager, EMEA Music Partnerships, Google).

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