Chloé Ameh
Director, That’s My Jamm
Time To Sign?
Chloé is an accomplished, award winning and highly driven senior music executive who has played an influential part in the success of many high-profile records. In Chloé you will find an individual motivated by alternative thinking, setting new trends and working outside of boundaries to disruptively deliver on campaigns and artist growth. As founder of That’s My Jamm (music business consultancy service), Chloé’s ambition is to level out the playing field for independent talent in the music industry.
Chloé has worked with incredible talent across an array of genres including Beyoncé, Tyla, Tems, Chris Brown, Pharrell Williams, Cat Burns, Fredo and more. With over 15 years’ experience in the music industry, her previous roles include General Manager at MUZO BY UZO (record label founded by MNEK), Head of Label at Since ‘93 with a 10 year tenure at Sony Music and a stretch at Live Nation, all extensively across marketing.
Elspeth Merry
Founder, Artists’ Way
Pitch Your Project
Artists’ Way is a new age publicity agency that amplifies the voices of artists with open and honest storytelling in the media.
With 9 years’ experience working in the music industry, founder of Artists’ Way Elspeth Merry has managed publicity campaigns for breakthrough artists including FLO and Holly Humberstone, to global superstars including Sigrid, Glass Animals, Post Malone and Ariana Grande. Elspeth also works with organisations spanning culture, arts, climate causes, music charities, media and fashion, connecting artists with Youth Music, Earth Percent, Soho House, The Royal Academy Of Arts and the British Fashion Council.
Starting her career at Island Records and working across the label’s illustrious roster, Elspeth won PR Campaign Of The Year at the Music Week Awards 2023 for her breakthrough work with FLO, and has been nominated for the Music Week PR Campaign of the Year Award four times; lauded for Hak Baker’s debut album Worlds End FM, Sigrid’s debut EP Don’t Kill My Vibe campaign and debut album Sucker Punch, and BRIT Rising Star winner Holly Humberstone. Founding Artists’ Way three years ago, Elspeth has won the BRITs Rising Star Award two years in a row, solidifying Holly Humberstone and girl group FLO as the breakout artists of 2022 and 2023.
Underpinning Elspeth’s work is her love of the written word, the art of storytelling and making cultural impact, creatively serving the music in an ever changing media landscape, working across fashion, lifestyle, news and events. With a background in journalism (Sunday Times, 1883 Magazine) and particular interest in telling women’s stories, Elspeth also co-founded Her Hustle, the mission-driven creative production agency working to elevate women’s voices and tell stories with impact.
Jodie Bryant
Broadcaster, BBC Radio 1
Making it in live music
Jodie is the person to know when it comes to new music. Jodie is a presenter and has recently been covering BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop show and given first plays to a lot of artists including Vi0let, Lois and Lydia Shute. As well as this she’s a DJ and has played at the Hundred cricket, supported Pixie Lott at the Ned and DJed at Manchester’s MTV EMA awards in 2024. Her new music night Discover Live has helped catapult numerous artists careers with a high focus on women in music and female artists. She also presents the interview show Fangirl Files which shines a light on the personalities behind up and coming artists whilst she interviews them as their number 1 fan.
Sarah Joy
Agent, ATC Live
Making it in live music
Sarah Joy is a London based booking agent at ATC Live and represents bands such as Yard Act, English Teacher, Squid, Nation of Language, The Beths, Blondshell, Billy Nomates, Faux Real and Katy J Pearson amongst others. Before working as an agent, Sarah ran her own label called Babelogue focusing on female fronted bands as well as working on the management team for Neneh Cherry. Training as a journalist originally, Sarah started her music career interning for BBC 6 Music and writing for online publications such as Line of Best Fit and Notion before moving into the artist and live side of the industry.
Hope Hale
Industry Relations Manager, Soundcloud
SoundCloud School
Hale is an experienced music professional specialising in artist development across multiple genres, including dance, rap, R&B, and soul. Currently Industry Relations Manager at SoundCloud, where she has been instrumental in championing emerging talent and helping artists launch successful careers. During her time at SoundCloud, she contributed to the launch of Roster International, an artist-first initiative designed to discover, nurture, and invest in rising talent globally. In early 2023, they launched SoundCloud’s partnership with WUGD.
Mark Mulligan
Manager Director MIDiA Research
Market Trends In Music
Mark Mulligan is a music analyst and the founder at MIDiA Research. He is a long-term tech analyst an d a leading digital thinker with more than 20 years of experience, working with leading global music, entertainment and tech companies. At MIDiA, Mark focuses on the streaming and creator economies, as well as music business trends and market metrics such as forecasts and market shares.
Simon Raymonde
Bella Union / Cocteau Twins
In Conversation: Pat Nevin & Simon Raymonde
The page-turning memoir of Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde, charting his life and legacy in music. As one-third of seminal band Cocteau Twins, Simon Raymonde helped to create some of the most beautiful and memorable albums of the 80s and 90s—music that continues to cast a spell over millions. This is the story of the band, in his words.
Beginning with Simon’s remarkable childhood and exploring his relationship with his father, Ivor Raymonde (the legendary producer, musician and arranger for acts such as the Walker Brothers and songwriter for artists including Dusty Springfield), the book will journey through the musician’s rise to prominence and his time with Cocteau Twins and This Mortal Coil.
It will also chart the successful career he has forged running his own label, Bella Union, for the past twenty-seven years, discovering and developing globally renowned artists like Beach House, Fleet Foxes, Father John Misty and John Grant.
And the narrative will lead us back to the present day, reflecting on Simon’s most recent experiences in the music industry—all while going deaf in one ear.
A must-read for music fans, this is the incredible tale of Simon’s life and legacy.
Reviews
“A beautiful insightful and honest look into the life of legend and musical polymath Simon Raymonde.” — Cillian Murphy
“This is a wonderful book of pop music history. A man obsessed with the beauty of creative artists and wanting to create his own legacy and to enable other musicians to have a voice by releasing their magic. We need more of people like him in a world full of mass-produced mediocrity.” — Elton John
Georgie Rogers
Broadcaster, DJ, Music Journalist
In Conversation: Pat Nevin & Simon Raymonde
Georgie Rogers is an established DJ, broadcaster, music journalist and voiceover artist from London.
She cut her teeth at BBC Radio 6 Music where she worked for 16 years as a key personality on its flagship breakfast and afternoon shows interviewing some of the biggest names in music.
Alongside the BBC she has several years of experience as a specialist broadcaster across alternative and electronic music as a DJ and curator on XFM, Virgin Radio, Soho Radio and contributing to Apple Music, Netflix documentaries and major TV news networks.
She also co-founded Super Women executive producing and presenting a series of short documentary films about trailblazing women across music, tech, design and motorcycling.
On the decks Georgie is an intuitive and versatile DJ. Her credits include spinning tunes for a host of major brands at venues far and wide from the V & A Museum to Glastonbury’s Shangri La, on top of a mountain in Bulgaria to the middle of a lake at Secret Garden Party and from the disco ship at End of the Road.
Abbie McCarthy
Broadcaster, BBC Introducing
In Conversation: Jordan Stephens
Abbie McCarthy is an award-winning presenter, DJ & content creator and one of the most respected music tastemakers in the UK.
You can catch Abbie championing new music on the radio via her BBC Introducing show or IRL at her critically acclaimed gig night Good Karma Club. The platform has provided early performances for the likes of Sam Fender, Olivia Dean, Artemas, Tom Grennan, Caity Baser, Cian Ducrot & many more. The sold out shows have featured a fair few famous faces in the crowd over the years too, including Alex Turner, Lewis Capaldi & Bastille.
Abbie also hosts her own music interview series The Eras Podcast, where she gets into the music and moments that have made your favourite artists who they are today. Previous guests include Glass Animals, AURORA, Remi Wolf, Blossoms & Shygirl.
Jordan Gremli
Head of Product, Songkick
The Front Row Effect: Turning Live Moments into Lasting Connections
Jordan Gremli is Head of Product at Songkick, leading the strategy and development of its fan-centric and industry-facing live music products, including Tourbox, Campaigns, and the Songkick website and app.
With a career at the intersection of music, technology, and audience development, Jordan specializes in building platforms that connect artists with fans, enhance live music discovery, and drive revenue through direct artist-to-fan engagement.
He began his career as Program Director at SiriusXM, giving artists an audience across North America before joining Spotify, where he spent eight years shaping artist and fan engagement. As Head of Artist & Fan Development, he was instrumental in launching Spotify for Artists and created the widely loved Fans First program, connecting superfans with exclusive artist experiences, tickets and merch.
Jordan then moved fully into live music, helping artists connect with fans at Sofar Sounds and DICE, where he guided both companies through the challenges of COVID. Before Songkick, he was VP of Product, Creator Services at Utopia Music, spending a year in Berlin before relocating to London in 2023.
Talia Andrea
NextGen Community Producer, Youth Music
Making it in Live Music
Talia Andrea is Youth Music’s NextGen Community Producer, where she leads on the programme of events and opportunities for 18-30 year olds looking to kickstart their career in the music industry. Before starting in her role at Youth Music, she was herself a recipient of their NextGen Fund in Round 5, with which she launched FEMMESTIVAL – a music festival and concert series with all-female lineups.
Kelly Betts
Editor, BBC Introducing
Get to know: BBC Introducing
Kelly Betts is the Editor for BBC Introducing, the BBC’s unique new music discovery initiative. Through a network of influential regional radio shows, the best new music is sourced from local scenes and broadcast to millions via Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6Music, Asian Network, and Radio 3. BBC Introducing not only features prominently on the airwaves but also curates stages at major festivals such as Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, and The Great Escape, and champions British talent at international events like South By South West and Eurosonic. Florence and the Machine, Raye, Olivia Dean, Arlo Parks, Tom Grennan & Sam Fender all received Introducing support at the start of their careers. Since launching the local BBC Introducing show in Beds, Herts & Bucks in 2007, Kelly has passionately devoted her career to nurturing and spotlighting new music across the UK.
Alex West
Promoter, Manager and Radio Presenter
Making it in Live Music
Alex West is a promoter, manager, and radio presenter. He combines running studio Turntable Media with managing artists like Adum and MUNBOI, while reporting locally for BBC Introducing, as well as putting on events in Berkshire under his own brand Closer To Home.
Richard Carter
Artist, Youth Music NextGen
Time To Sign?
Richard Carter is a visionary artist, producer and songwriter from South Norwood. His music seamlessly blends hip-hop, orchestral, pop, indie, and gospel and explores themes of mental health, love, and power struggles. With his production, he brought to life the biggest horror film of 2023, “Talk To Me”, with his track “Le Monde” being streamed over 100 million times. His success in 2023 and 2024 led to him winning the Rising Star Artist Award at the Youth Music Awards 2024. 2025 is set to be a breakthrough year for Richard with the release of his debut EP.
Chrystal Lecointe
Artist Manager & Founder of Mile 767
Time To Sign?
Chrystal is an experienced artist manager, currently looking after the Latin Grammy-Nominated DJ & Producer RYMEZ, MPG-winning Vocal Producer Ramera Abraham, Artist & Model LOVELLE and up & coming Singer-Songwriter Drew. With over 14 years’ experience in the industry, she has worked with a wide range of artists & creatives including MNEK, Clean Bandit, Dave Okumu, Duchess, Jess Glynne, Manny Norté, Mystery Jets, Plan B, Rae Morris and organisations such as Machine Management, Papa Records, UROK Management and YMU.
Chrystal also has over 20 years’ experience as Creative Arts Co-Ordinator (NewVIc, ARK Schools, Living Song) and is an active singer and performer with notable credits including, The Royal Wedding – Duke & Duchess of Sussex 2018, Urban Voices Collective (Official Olympic Closing Ceremony 2012 Choir, Baftas 2013, BBC Proms 2014), WahWah45s Players, THE R.E.C. London and “Last Choir Standing” finalists Revelation Choir.
Alongside her diligence as a manager & strategist, she continues to champion the importance of Mental Health Support for both artists and executives as well as diversity in the workplace and regularly provides mentorship and support for the next generation of music executives and talent.
Cathy Runciman
Co-Executive Director
Climate Hour
Cathy is Co-Executive Director of EarthPercent, the music industry’s climate foundation, a charity co-founded by Brian Eno to unleash the power of music in service of the planet. EarthPercent seeks to include the planet as a stakeholder across the music sector, and leads music development and conservation fund governance for the Sounds Right initiative which recognises and rewards nature’s contribution to music. Cathy co-founded the storytelling platform Atlas of the Future and Barcelona’s Fixing the Future Festival, and previously led the media organisations openDemocracy and Time Out International.
Josephine Illingworth
Tune Into Nature Music Prize Winner
Climate Hour
Josephine Illingworth is a singer, songwriter, and producer, but she is also a passionate mountaineer, who records voices, wind, and footsteps on remote treks, weaving them into intricate compositions. Her debut EP maps songs to nature—mountains, forests, deserts—each painted by hand. In her shed-studio, she blends folklore, feminism, and haunting soundscapes, crafting music as a refuge.
Matt Maw
International Ideas Exchange
Matt Maw (Chippewas of the Thames First Nation) is the President & Lead Artist Manager at Red Music Rising. Matt brings well over a decade of multi-faceted music industry experience to RMR, along with a passion for artist development and a mission to amplify Canada’s Indigenous artists on the global stage. Throughout his career, Matt has worked with some of Canada’s most celebrated artists, Indigenous and otherwise, and now oversees a label and management roster including Sebastian Gaskin, Boogey The Beat, Nimkish, Wolf Saga, Reuben & The Bullhorn Singers and Drives The Common Man. A graduate of the Harris Institute for the Arts, Matt currently sits on the board of Music Managers Forum Canada and the BreakOut West Indigenous Advisory Committee. Matt has worked alongside organizations including Warner Music Group Canada, Universal Music Canada, Arts & Crafts Productions, Six Shooter Records, Collective Concerts, Field Trip, and Minoshkite.
Ammo Talwar MBE
CEO Punch Records / Chair UK Music Diversity Taskforce & KoKo Foundation
Diversity on Stage and Behind the Scenes
Music maverick Ammo Talwar started life selling vinyl at his specialist Black music record shop, which became a local hub for DJs and artists. His leadership and vision built Punch Records into an award-winning music agency; working internationally and in partnership with leading private and public sector companies to support diverse music and innovation. He received an MBE for contributions to music.
A seasoned music industry executive, Ammo’s professional acumen is in demand by organisations facing both new business opportunities and challenges. Talwar has been a producer / promoter for the past 25 years with a specialism around black music events and touring, working with the likes of Angie Stone, Dexta Dapz, Tarrus Riley, Skeng and many more reggae and soul artists
He is also a BPI Council Board member and chairs the newly founded KOKO Foundation which has talent, environment and place as its core drivers.
Sally Oakenfold
Music Venues Alliance Brighton
Decentralising Music: How Local Scenes Empower Global Change
A club promoter & DJ for over 32 years running a variety of regular alternative club nights and LGBTQ+ events including the legendary cabaret pop night Dynamite Boogaloo which still hosts one or two events every year.
Back in 2011, Sally Oakenfold launched Sticky Mike’s Frog Bar, a grassroots live music venue, club and bar. Hosting many events and artists who now fill stadiums and headline Festivals all over the globe. Stickies as it was affectionately known sadly closed in 2018, a victim of developers here in Brighton & Hove. Oakenfold is currently the Creative Director at The Hope & Ruin, a 150-cap GMV in the City hosting over 300 live events a year. She is also Chair of Music Venues Alliance Brighton a small organisation which advocates for GMVs in the City. In April, MVAB and a small team of venue bookers secured an ACE grant to fund and expand our multi-venue festival HOMEGROWN. HOMEGROWN was launched in 2024 with a small amount of funding from BHCC and MVT. The funding has allowed us to expand the festival to 8 venues in Brighton and Hove booking over 60 artists who have been nurtured here in the city or along the South East coast. None of these ventures would have been possible if it wasn’t for the local communities that allowed them to thrive.
RIYA
NextGen Funded Artist
Pitching to Press
BBC Introducing Artist RIYA has received continued support from the likes of Rolling Stone, ITV & BBC. Featured as ITV’s ‘One To Watch’ in the ‘Granada Introducing’ series, Riya was named a ‘Future Star’.. Most recently, she showcased her latest single on BBC One’s Sunday Morning Live and received an invitation to BMI’s prestigious songwriting event in London. Recognised as one of Manchester’s most promising emerging talents, RIYA has been selected for the Factory Sounds Cohort 2025 in partnership with Adidas. She has performed on ‘The Hundred X BBC Introducing Stage’ at Headingley-Stadium (30,000-capacity), headlined the ClimateLive stage at Latitude-Festival, graced COOP Live Arena, and ‘Beyond the Music Festival’ stages in Manchester. Notable performances include Manchester International Festival, Sound From The Other City, The Bridgewater Hall, and Manchester Museum’s festival. Hailed by Youth Music as ‘One To Watch 2024,’ she’s backed by the ‘NEXTGEN’ fund, luxury fashion brand ‘COACH’, and earned Abbey Road Studios Amplify support. She has collectively amassed over a million views on YouTube, winning the top 9% ISC songwriting spot from over 30,000 applications.
Jeordie Shenton
Programmes Lead, Tonic Music
The Power of Wellness in Music
Jeordie Shenton is the Programmes Lead at the registered charity, Tonic Music, which establishes good mental health within music communities by providing mental health support to the music industry and music fans. As part of this role, Jeordie designs, manages and reviews the Tonic Rider programme of free therapy sessions, peer groups, skills workshops and training courses for music artists, crew and industry professionals. In addition, Jeordie is a published author on mental health in the music industry and currently undertaking a PhD at the University of Portsmouth researching substance use amongst working musicians.
Fuzz Chaudhrey
BBC Introducing
Pitching to Press
Fuzz has a wealth of experience having spent 15 years working in both the radio and the music industries and is a respected expert in breaking new artists. As Network Producer of BBC Introducing, they work closely with local and national Introducing radio shows to help champion and platform the best emerging British talent. In 2018, they launched Radio 1’s with Indie Show Jack Saunders and spearheaded the rebrand to Radio 1’s Future Artists. Before becoming a radio producer, Fuzz worked as a plugger at Caroline International with artists such as Glass Animals, Kae Tempest and St Vincent, helping to build their profile from grassroots radio right up to daytime playlist support.
Ester Bolaji
Performer Account Manager, PPL
Licensing Masterclass
Esther Bolaji is a Performer Account Manager at PPL, dedicated to ensuring that performers get paid when their music is broadcast on radio or TV, and played in public places.
With a passion for supporting performers, Esther joined the PPL Member Services operations team in October 2022, helping members with queries via email and telephone. She was then promoted to Member Relations Co-ordinator in July 2023, assisting Account Managers with leading performers and their representatives. Since December 2024, Esther now oversees a diverse roster of high-profile clients in her current role.
Beyond her role at PPL, Esther is an accomplished Music Producer and Singer-Songwriter. She has collaborated with emerging artists whose music has received airplay on notable platforms, including BBC Radio London, and the BBC Asian Network. Her work bridges the gap between industry expertise and creative artistry, making her a leading expert in rights management and creative production.
Mark Sutherland
Journalist, The Money Trench – The Music Industry Podcast
Exploring Artist Development with Believe and The Money Trench, The Music Industry Podcast
Mark Sutherland has been covering music and the music business for over 30 years. He started out producing his own fanzine, which landed him a job on legendary pop magazine Smash Hits. He then helped chronicle the Britpop era via senior editorial roles at NME and Melody Maker and was part of the launch team for BBC Radio 6 Music. He’s also a music industry expert, having served as global editor of Billboard and editor of UK music industry ‘bible’, Music Week. He is currently a Variety columnist and contributing editor to Music Business Worldwide, and is the presenter of the hit podcast, The Money Trench: The Music Industry Podcast With Mark Sutherland.
Liam James Ward
Co-Founder & CEO, Something Something
Red Bull Records Presents Tapped In: The Power of Short-Form Content for Artists on the Rise
Liam James Ward is the Co-Founder & CEO of Something Something – a digital native-led content strategy studio that focuses on creative storytelling at the heart of every social media campaign. The London-based global agency works with artists, labels, and cultural brands to bring stories and in-person moments online. Trusted by stars like The Clash, Billie Eilish, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Declan McKenna and Disclosure, Something Something’s understanding of Gen-Z and utilizing fan accounts to supercharge strategies keeps their creativity high-level while remaining reactive in real-time. The company also is a creative strategy partner for the likes of Meta, TikTok, Google, Live Nation, and Soho House, among others.
Leo O’Brien
PPL
Licensing Masterclass
Jordan Stephens
Rizzle Kicks
In Conversation: Jordan Stephens
Jasmine Takhar
Presenter, BBC Asian Network
Time To Sign?
Dominique Palmer
Climate Hour
Rachel Kiki Tabizel
Climate Hour
Frances Fox
Climate Hour
Lori Asha
Artist
AudioActive – Fail Forward
Sophie Faith
Artist
AudioActive – Fail Forward
Pat Nevin
Broadcaster
In Conversation: Pat Nevin & Simon Raymonde
Sam Maryon
Artist, Hatter
AudioActive – Fail Forward
Rachel Adderly
Artist, REA
AudioActive – Fail Forward
Chris Cooke
CMU
AI, Streaming + The Cost Of Touring Crisis: The Music-Maker Perspective
Annabella Coldrick
CEO, MMF
AI, Streaming + The Cost Of Touring Crisis: The Music-Maker Perspective
Roberto Neri
CEO, Ivors Academy
AI, Streaming + The Cost Of Touring Crisis: The Music-Maker Perspective
David Martin
Featured Artists Coalition
AI, Streaming + The Cost Of Touring Crisis: The Music-Maker Perspective
Cameron Craig
Music Producers Guild
AI, Streaming + The Cost Of Touring Crisis: The Music-Maker Perspective
Naomi Pohl
General Secretary, Musicians’ Union
AI, Streaming + The Cost Of Touring Crisis: The Music-Maker Perspective
Romain Vivien
Global Head of Music and President Europe, Believe UK
Exploring Artist Development with Believe and The Money Trench, The Music Industry Podcast
Alice McClean
Head of Label & Artist Solutions, Believe UK
Exploring Artist Development with Believe and The Money Trench, The Music Industry Podcast
Gee Davy
Association of Independent Music, CEO
AI, Streaming + The Cost Of Touring Crisis: The Music-Maker Perspective
Sybil Bell
Founder and CEO of Independent Venue Week and Independent Venue Community, Independent Venue Week
Music as a vehicle for social change
Sybil Bell is Founder and CEO of Independent Venue Week (IVW) and Independent Venue Community (IVC). IVW is the week long celebration of independent music venues in the UK and US with live gigs across the week all around the country. IVC is IVW’s charitable arm that brings a social prescribing program of education, development and community activity into music venues during the day, throughout the year, around the country.
Sybil also founded I Like The Sound Of That, a boutique music marketing agency working across marketing strategy, brand partnerships, creative content and event management. She is also the creator of Independents Day, a stakeholder industry event for the independent venue and community sector.
Sybil has been an artist manager, label manager, tour manager and promoter, owned a venue and recording studio, has consulted at various trade bodies including UK Music, the MMF and the FAC and has co-ordinated international networking events at SXSW for The Department of International Trade. She has done numerous press interviews including BBC 6 Music, Radio 1 Newsbeat, Radio 4’s front Row BBC World Service, Radio 5 Live, Jazz FM, Radio X as well as numerous
regional radio programmes. She has appeared on Sky News, ITV News and as well as The Politics Show, Victoria Derbyshire Live both on BBC 2 as well as BBC World.
Jolie P
Sexy Lady Massive
Climate Hour
Nyla Davison
Tour Manager
Making it in Live Music
Laila Khan
Music Support
The Power of Wellness in Music
Tom Kiehl