UK Music launches diversity survey
Industry umbrella body UK Music today (16 June) launched a music industry workforce diversity survey to help bring about “major change at pace” within the sector.
The survey will track progress made to boost diversity and inclusion in the UK’s music industry and will be lead by UK Music’s diversity taskforce and its chair Ammo Talwar MBE, who has stressed the need for concrete action following on from the Black Out Tuesday initiative.
Launched in 2016 and published every two years, the findings of the survey give the music industry, government and other stakeholders insight into where improvements are needed regarding diversity and inclusion, as well as where positive change is already under way.
Using data from the live music sector, management agencies, licensing companies, publishers, record labels and studios, UK Music will publish the results of the survey later this year.
“Our diversity is the source of our greatest strength. Help us shape the new voices in the music industry by being part of the change”
“Now is not the time for silence. We need major change at pace with impact in the music industry,” comments Talwar. “This survey helps to kickstart the change we all want and deserve.
“Our diversity is the source of our greatest strength. Help us shape the new voices in the music industry by being part of the change.”
UK Music’s head of diversity Rachel Bolland adds that the survey is “a crucial part” of ensuring diversity within the industry.
“Government and parliament are listening and we will be working with them to ensure the policy landscape is fit for purpose so diversity in our sector can flourish.”
The music industry workforce diversity survey can be found here.
Read the report from the 2018 survey here.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.
UK Music hires new diversity taskforce chairman
UK Music has announced Ammo Talwar, founder of touring and artist management firm Punch, as the new chair of its equality and diversity taskforce.
Talwar replaces Keith Harris, who has chaired the body for the last three years. The co-chair of the taskforce remains Paulette Long.
Established in 2015, the quality and diversity taskforce works with the music business, the British government and other stakeholders to boost inclusion and diversity across the industry. It includes representatives from the UK live music industry, as well as major and indie record labels, music publishers, trade organisations and collection societies.
In 2016, UK Music undertook the first industry wide workforce diversity survey, focusing on gender and ethnicity. The latest survey was published in 2018.
“I feel hugely privileged to chair this taskforce”
“I feel hugely privileged to chair this taskforce,” says Talwar. “UK Music has made real inroads around diversity and inclusion. We are global leaders in music-making and I’m confident that the UK’s music sector will continue to move at pace, reflecting the ever-changing landscape of community, music and genres.”
Outgoing chair Keith Harris adds: “Having headed the UK Music equality and diversity taskforce for three years, during which time we have seen the industry inching towards a more balanced and diverse workforce, I am delighted to be handing over to Ammo Talwar.
“His energy and enthusiasm will help to make sure that the momentum is not lost and his perspective from outside the London environment will drive the new initiatives needed make sure that we have an industry which fairly represents the whole music community.”
In a further change, UK Music’s Rachel Bolland will succeed Felicity Oliver as the umbrella organisation’s head of diversity.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.