The 12 network members work across all sectors of the music industry

Led by Remi Harris and Tamara Gal-On, the initiative aims to boost the career development of women with at least 5 years music industry experience

Programme set to run again in 2023

Music Leaders Network, the highly-regarded leadership development programme for women in music, announced today the members of the September 2022 group.

Led by respected music industry educators Remi Harris and Tamara Gal-On, the transformational programme, which launched in 2020, is open to both company employees with a minimum of 5 years industry experience and self-employed women in music.

Businesses who have invested in their female leaders and future-leaders through this programme include PPL, Polydor, Blue Raincoat Group and Brownswood Recordings. Elsewhere, bursaries have been provided to self-employed participants or and those working for charities in order to assist with costs.

The full list of new network members is as follows:

●      Aine Markey, General Manager (Blue Raincoat Music / Chrysalis Records)

●      Ayse Hassan, Composer, Musician And Writer (Esya, Kite Base, Savages)

●      Becci Scotcher, Senior Grants And Programmes Manager (PRS Foundation)

●      Carina Cosgrave, Violone And Double Bass Player (Freelance) And Professor Of Baroque Bass (Royal College Of Music)

●      Davina Pobee, Operations Manager (Brownswood Recordings)

●      Jade Bradshaw, Head Of Marketing (Polydor)

●      Karen Sutton, Business and Finance Manager (Accidental) and Producer (The Oram Awards)

●      Katie Eckett, Manager, Business And Legal Affairs (Merlin)

●      Rachel Millar, Artist Manager (Shabaka Hutchings, Sons of Kemet)

●      Santana Guerout, Head Of Programming (Band On The Wall)

●      Shiama Young, Project Lead (PPL)

●      Tomi Oyewumi, Equity, Diversity And Inclusion Partner (PPL)

Based around individual coaching and small-group training, the programme has already built an enviable track record of success, with many previous participants - including creators, agents, publicists, managers, label and publishing executives, and live music professionals - benefitting from a significant elevation in their careers, visibility and income.

After completing the Music Leaders Network in 2021:

•   Participants reported increases in income of between 15% and 100% 1-year post-programme (by adding greater business value, and progressing to more senior roles).

•   100% of women understand their leadership strengths and weaknesses.

•   91% of women felt more confident in their abilities as a leader.

•   82% of women considered themselves a more effective leader who was more equipped to deal with conflict and difficult team dynamics.

With the 2022 programme underway, expressions of interest from employers are welcomed for the 2023 programme.

Co-Creators Remi Harris and Tamara Gal-On say: "We're  delighted to work with such a stellar group of women, each with impressive experience, and working with them to fulfill their potential in the industry. It's great that PPL, Blue Raincoat Group, Polydor and many others are investing in diversifying their leaders, and we hope that other forward-thinking businesses will place their people on the programme, as it has a track record of quantifiable success."

Peter Leathem, Chief Executive Officer at PPL, said:

"We are proud to support this latest Music Leaders Network programme and its valuable work in boosting the careers of talented female professionals in music. It has a strong track record in helping women move up the career ladder and creating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive pool of senior talent – something which benefits us all. We wish the latest members of the Music Leaders Network the best of luck."

Testimonials from past Music Leaders Network members:

Julie Cotton, formerly Tour Site Coordinator Massive Attack, currently Tour Site Coordinator, Ed Sheeran said:  "It was a wonderful shared learning experience and I now have a network of fantastic women I can call on for guidance, support and to share experiences with."

Judy Sichlinger, formerly of EMI Production Music now Product Manager, Aviator Management GMBH said:  "Before the programme I saw myself as an overwhelmed problem solver with no real power to change anything whereas now I see myself as a leader. Music Leaders Network is a programme that helps you realise what it is that you want to do with your career and how to become a true leader. It will give you all the tools necessary to formulate your values, your ambitions and overall, your plan." 

Nathalie Candel, Freelance Tour Manager said: "The leaders network is a group of amazing music industry professionals who will ultimately become collaborators, sounding boards and friends."

Sophie Cooper, Freelance Composer and Sound Designer said: "I started to take myself more seriously as a music professional during the course, I started to trust my own opinion and realise my influence working in new and experimental music. The combination of the group sessions which were more of a philosophical overview and the in-depth 1:1 tutorials were a magic formula and really worked together to improve my self-belief. Since completing the course I've applied to and said yes to new opportunities which is reflected in my larger, end of year, income for 21 - 22."

Kate Doyle, Festival Director, We Invented the Weekend said: "It really snuck up on me how much I learned from it. You're in there and there's a lot of talking, role play, learning and discussion .... you don't fully understand what you're getting out of it until it comes to putting things into practice in the workplace which is when you see it all come into action."