Part of the TGE Elevate Programme, the Elevate Super Delegates are a group of early-career music professionals who get access to a subsidised and curated TGE conference experience.
TGE Elevate is the professional development programme for early-career music business executives and entrepreneurs, and aspiring music-makers supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
As part of this programme, each year we invite a team of Super Delegates to attend TGE. These delegates then get access to a subsidised and curated TGE conference experience.
With a particular focus on helping people from non-traditional backgrounds thrive in the music business, 40 super delegates will take part this year nominated by organisations across the industry.
These Elevate Super Delegates will have a unique opportunity to build robust professional networks by connecting with each other, industry mentors and the wider music industry via a personally tailored conference programme.
In addition, all participants will have opportunities to connect with the wider Elevate Alumni community.
To find out more about our 2025 Elevate Super Delegates, see below:
Boudicca Pepper – Artist
Boudicca is a next-generation artist blending UK Rap, Pop Rap, and Hip-hop with sharp lyricism and raw energy. As a Youth Music NextGen artist and Soundcastle Sparking Change participant, she’s committed to using music as a force for empowerment. With a fearless presence and a powerful voice, she’s here to make an impact.
Cj Pandit – Musician
Cj Pandit is a genre-blurring artist crafting cinematic, heart-on-sleeve anthems that blend indie rock & art-pop into hazy memories of a place you’ve never been. With a vibrant visual world and a magnetic, joyous & playful live show, his music captures both the grandeur and intimacy of modern love, identity, and nostalgia.
As part of The Great Escape’s Elevate programme, he’s poised to take his immersive artistry to a wider stage, buoyed by the collective spirit of his band and collaborators, with himself at the Helm.
Serena Sun – Artist, Songwriter, Producer
Serena Sun is an artist, songwriter, and producer known for her cutting lyricism, captivating melodies, and emotion-driven production. Based in London, but originally from Vancouver, Serena recently released her first self-written + self-produced EP, For a Moment or Two; it touches on her move from Canada in 2023, and the highs and lows she experienced in her first few months living in London.
Having previously supported artists like RINI and Luna Li, Serena has honed a distinct, personable style in her live performances. Longlisted for Glastonbury in 2025, Serena will be making her London headline debut at The Finsbury on April 12 and is joining Leith as support on the European leg of her tour in May.
Rumbi Tauro – Artist
Rumbi Tauro is an artist who has always been about confronting the status quo. Being raised in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Rumbi has shifted barriers. Rumbi has managed to garner several opportunities within the North West that include having her projects funded and opening up for touring artists/bands across the U.K.
David Mandele – Artist, Purle
My name is Purle and I’m an artist/producer based in the north east, I make anything from synth pop to acoustic folk, give it a listen if you can!
Olly Carter – Founder, Sound Advice Podcast
Olly Carter is a music industry professional based in Liverpool. After graduating Olly started Sound Advice, a podcast where he interviews people from the local music scene and beyond, offering insights and advice for independent artists navigating the music industry. Olly also works as a Marketing Intern at The Tung Auditorium, the University of Liverpool’s new 400-capacity concert hall.
Mollie Taylor – Label Assistant / Social Media, Come Play With Me
Mollie Taylor is a 24-year-old North Yorkshire-based industry professional and creative, specialising in Social Media and Marketing within the music sector. Currently Label Assistant / Social Media and Marketing at Come Play With Me CIC / CPWM Records in Leeds.
After joining the team in August 2023 through the AIM / Amazon Music Amplify Apprenticeship Scheme, where she was mentored by Nadia Khan of Women in CTRL, Mollie has spoken on numerous panels across the North of England to represent the LGBTQIA+ and Neurodivergent community in Music.
In her role, she drives marketing strategies and enhances the digital presence of the CIC & label’s roster, while advocating for diversity and inclusivity in the music industry. Mollie graduated with a BA in Music Production from Leeds Conservatoire in May 2023, further refining her technical expertise to complement her creative endeavors. A talented producer and songwriter, Mollie has credits on Universal Production Music’s 100% Her album and releases music under the name Mollie Coddled. Her bodies of work have been supported by NME, DIY, DORK, and The Line Of Best Fit as well as editorial support from Spotify, landing on New Music Friday & more. Identifying as AuDHD and queer, Mollie champions inclusivity and equality within the music community; passionate about leveling the playing field for gender minorities and disabled musicians, Mollie is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices.
Isobel Oxley – Student, BIMM London
I’m an Events Management student at BIMM London. I am a graphic designer, writer, and event manager. I recently had a collaborative zine go to print and hosted a Live Music Pub Quiz for the paying public. I am interested in the live industry, all things performance and visuals with some of my favourites being Troye Sivan, The Stone Roses, and Billie Eilish.
Joshua Irawo – Talent Manager, Lively Services
A driven Talent Manager who thrives on cultivating connections with 6 years of successful track record in talent development, counselling & brand partnership management, having notably pitched & overseen the delivery of collaboration campaigns with the likes of Red Bull, KFC & Levis. Primarily managing the business management operations of UK Rapper, Actor & Entrepreneur ‘namesbliss and our music marketing/artist development company – Lively Services. I’m pragmatic about career/strategic planning and providing frameworks for enhancing personal brand keys to attract and optimise both meaningful and lucrative brand opportunities. By harnessing intrinsic and extrinsic resourcefulness, I develop talent as viable commercial commodities to realise their vision for partnerships and diversifying their personal ventures. My relationship-building oriented approach to working alongside talent and stakeholders, aids their growth in resilience and sustains an improved state of mental health & well-being within this cut-throat entertainment industry, and so increasing their propensity to attract desired business opportunities. My competencies present a niche expertise and background of transferable hard & interpersonal skills, which I believe will continue to provide value to talent in this rapidly evolving industry.
Lauren Hooper – Artist
With both a BA and MA in songwriting from The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, Lauren Alex Hooper is a songwriter and alt-pop artist. As well as writing for and with others, she writes for her own artist project and has been releasing music under her own name since 2018. A neurodivergent and disabled person herself, she’s deeply passionate about raising awareness around mental illness, neurodivergence, chronic illness, and disability; a big focus within her music is to connect through those experiences and uplift these voices that have been so underrepresented. Her debut single, ‘Invisible,’ was released to raise awareness about mental health and all of the proceeds go to the charity, YoungMinds. Her debut EP, Honest, also revolved around the theme of mental health and the second single, ‘Clarity,’ was chosen as BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey’s BBC Introducing Track of the Day. She’s performed at The Sallis Benney Theatre and The Corn Exchange in Brighton, The Bedford in Balham, and The Spice of Life, The Fiddler’s Elbow, and Green Note in London, as well as The Bluebird Café and The Listening Room in Nashville. She’s also performed with Oxfam, Amaze, and at every Disability Pride Brighton festival since its inception in 2016. She’s currently working on new music, in the form of a series of EPs exploring her experience as an autistic woman, to be released over the next few years. She also writes a blog, Finding Hope, about her experiences with neurodivergence, as well as both physical and mental health issues.
Luke Rea – Booking Agent, Trust. Artists
I began my musical journey as many do, getting a bass guitar for Christmas when I was 13 and starting a band with my best friends at school. Music quickly consumed my life and in 2021 I moved to Southampton to study music performance and composition at university. It was there that I was introduced to the world of grassroots music venues. I’d spend all day rehearsing in various groups and every evening going to shows and trying to get involved in any way that I could with the live music community. I cut my teeth working for local promoters, doing doors, merch and repping for the likes of Shame, Opus Kink and The Orielles, whilst also promoting my own shows and managing a band, Hypothetics. I finished my degree in 2024 and now work as a Junior Agent for Trust. Artists, as well as a promotions assistant and rep for The Joiners in Southampton, whilst also writing for Hideous Mink Magazine.
Lucy Michael – Promo & Content Manager, Tru Thoughts
Lucy is the Content and Promotions Manager at Tru Thoughts, an independent record label based in Brighton that recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Over the years, the label has built a diverse international roster, including Bonobo, Quantic, and newer releases from Alice Russell, Hot 8 Brass Band, Tara Lily, WheelUP, and Footshooter.
After studying music production and cutting her teeth as an events manager in her hometown, Lucy moved to Brighton. There, she gained experience across the scene working club doors, promoting concerts with JOY, and eventually finding her home at Tru Thoughts.
Lucy has represented Tru Thoughts at major festivals, including Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here, Love Supreme, Brick Lane Jazz Festival, and Offie Mag events. She’s also supported Mr. Scruff live and hosts a monthly show on Platform B, a local radio station.
Ri Lewis – Founder, RUN IT
Music has been at the core of Ri’s journey, from her early years as a classically trained pianist to becoming a driving force in event management and artist development. Recognising the lack of accessible opportunities for emerging talent, Ri took the initiative to launch RUN IT—a platform designed to bridge that gap. Since then, she has successfully built a thriving creative network, collaborating with major brands such as Red Bull, Boxpark, Soho House, and Hard Rock Cafe to deliver impactful events.
Through RUN IT, Ri has curated over 35 events, attracting more than 1,000 attendees and supporting 500+ artists and DJs. Ri’s work has drawn interest from high-profile industry figures from Universal and Sony, in addition to notable guests including Ella Eyre and members of the Top Boy cast. Expanding beyond the UK, she staged her first international event in Italy, and has featured artists from Canada, the US, and Australia.
Beyond live events, Ri has contributed to the industry through consultation work, advising the UK Council on creating more opportunities for under-represented creatives. Ri has also delivered workshops at institutions like Roundhouse and Big Creative Education. With a passion for innovation and artist empowerment, Ri continues to drive meaningful change within the music industry.
Chaka Tomalin-Hayels – Artist
Chaka proclaims his music to be an RnB and Old School Hip-Hop fusion – he believes that he’s successfully combined mixed heritage into a sound that’s rare and unfathomable until heard in person. This attests to the years of careful dedication and homage to song writing, that pays great respect to the predecessors of spoken word – the music has a stanchion in eloquent and witty lyrical content. This compassionately combines with the RnB elements, inspired by artists such as Corinne Bailey Rae and Macy Grey, to create songs which can range from; ethereal and beautiful to, gritty and confrontational. Truly coming alive with an imposing stage presence, which brings meaning to pieces.
Tala Yunis – Freelance Comms & Social Media, AudioActive
Tala Yunis is an independent alt-pop artist, born Palestinian and raised in Israel. Now based in Brighton, UK, she intends to spread her musical talent from one of the richest cultural cities in the world. Drawing her influence from artists like Dominic Fike, KWN, Billie Eilish and her own personal experiences, she will have you simultaneously vibing and hating your ex at the same time. The music speaks for itself, blending indie pop, lo-fi and soul, creating an irresistible concoction of sounds.
Lou Ditton
My name is Lou. I’m studying for a diploma in the creative music and media industry. I play piano, sing, and write songs, and I’m learning music production with the goal of producing my own music. I host the podcast There’s No Such Thing as Normal , which explores disability and mental health, and I’ve done interviews for college radio and the BBC. I’m also passionate about wellness and interested in how music connects with practices like yoga and meditation.
Sebastian De Riso Tuck – Facilitator, Carousel
Timur Hashimi – A&R Coordinator, Sony Music Publishing
Kerrie Wolfendale – Venue Rep / Promoter Assistant, The Live Rooms
Rhys Taylor
Zitah Kudita – Artist