Open letter to the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, The Rt. Hon Darren Jones MP, Secretary of State for Department for Culture Media and Sport, The Rt. Hon. Lisa Nandy MP, and Secretary of State for the Department for Business and Trade, The Rt. Hon. Jonathan Reynolds MP
Bolstering Music Export and Exchange – an open Letter to UK Government from the UK music sector
We, the undersigned UK music industry and creative community, urge the government to set out an ambition for a £10 million per year multi-year settlement for music export and exchange in the Spending Review.
The UK remains the world’s third largest music market and UK music exports revenue in 2023 hit a new high of £4.6 billion (up 15% from 2022), underlining the growth potential of a sector that is outperforming the wider economy. The UK Government’s industrial strategy identified the creative industries as one of eight ‘priority growth-driving sectors’. But with increasingly complex barriers to building international careers and business, urgent action and sustained investment are critical to stimulate long-term growth of the UK music industry.
Despite our global reputation, UK acts are struggling to break through on the global stage. Access to funding is a major obstacle, especially for emerging and mid-tier artists, exacerbated by Brexit-related barriers, soaring touring costs, intensifying global competition and relatively low government investment. The impact is clear— the UK’s share of the global market has more than halved in the past decade, and last year, for the first time in 20 years, no UK artists featured in the IFPI Global Chart Top 10 [1].
While delivering on the government’s manifesto commitment to improve UK-EU touring conditions is vital, it’s only part of the solution. Without increased investment, the UK risks falling behind more ambitious music markets that are accelerating their music exports through government-backed initiatives. Strong government investment elsewhere dwarfs the scale and variety of grants available in the UK [2]. South Korea’s music exports surged fifty-fold in 14 years – fuelled by consistently high government investment. Music Australia was established in 2023, with a $70 million (£33.6m) commitment from their government. And Canada is now the world’s third biggest exporter of music (after the U.S. and the UK) following consistent government investment including a commitment of $32 million (£17.2m) for 2024-2026 to support and match-fund export programmes.
Initiatives managed by PRS Foundation, the BPI, British Council, UK Arts Councils and other like-minded funders and export specialists have a proven track record of delivering significant return on investment and we can demonstrate that support boosts the UK economically, culturally and socially [3]. The International Showcase Fund generated £6.7 million for the UK economy between 2019-2024, achieving a £27 return for every £1 invested by the Department for Business and Trade. And over the last eleven years, government investment in the BPI’s Music Export Growth Scheme resulted in an estimated £73.5 million in financial return. The likes of Sam Fender, Little Simz, Ezra Collective, Self Esteem, Glass Animals, Dave, Wolf Alice, Bicep and Beabadoobee have accessed support. These and other initiatives require ongoing and increased support and should be put on a multi-year funding footing.
As industry leaders, we are primed to collaborate in the best interests of the sector, with a shared recognition of the need to enhance support for existing initiatives while filling gaps in the export pipeline. We must support more emerging artists and creators, enhance access to emerging markets and key territories which present major growth opportunities, facilitate creative collaboration and exchange, and provide more opportunities for industry professionals. Inadequate funding continues to fail UK artists, music-makers and businesses, and is holding back agreed solutions [4].
The current level of government investment – around £2 million per year – falls far short of what is needed. An ambitious multi-year commitment in the Spending Review— building up to at least £10 million being invested annually in existing and new music export and exchange initiatives— is crucial. Not only would this provide the long-term stability that the sector has lacked under previous governments but will also maximise returns for the UK economy and propel the future success of the UK music industry.
With a hunger to fill gaps in the export pipeline, and solutions in place to tackle barriers and seize opportunities, we are clear, and UK Government must be in no doubt that long-term growth requires increased investment, and now is the time to future-proof one of the UK’s greatest assets.
TO SIGN THE OPEN LETTER, CLICK HERE
Additional signatories will be added regularly
Signed:
Joe Frankland, CEO, PRS Foundation
Dr Jo Twist OBE, Chief Executive, BPI
Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive, UK Music
Jon Collins, CEO, LIVE (Live Music Industry Venues and Entertainment)
Emily Eavis, Co-organiser, Glastonbury Festival
Martin Mills, Chairman, Beggars Group
Paul Redding, CEO, Beggars Group
Alistair Norbury, President, UK, Europe & APAC, BMG
Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for Music
Peter Leathem OBE, CEO, PPL
Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum
Naomi Pohl, General Secretary, Musicians’ Union
David Martin, CEO, Featured Artists Coalition
Charisse Beaumont, Chief Executive, Black Lives in Music
Gee Davy, Chief Executive, AIM – The Association of Independent Music
Roberto Neri, CEO, Ivors Academy
Paul Clements, CEO, Music Publishers Association
And backed by over 600 artists, music creators, industry professionals and organisations:
| INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS & ORGANISATIONS
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| Emily Kendrick, General Manager, XL Recordings
Simon Raymonde, CEO, BELLA UNION Jackie Davidson, CEO/Founder, JDM Crispin Hunt, Songwriter & President PRS Members’ Council, PRS for Music Jane Dyball, Chair, PRS Foundation & Consultant, Laffittes Ltd Charlotte Dryden, CEO, Oh Yeah Music Centre, Belfast Audrey Gray, Co-Founder & Director, BLACMEX Kwame Safo, Co-Founder & Director, BLACMEX Simon Goffe, Director/Founder, Brownswood Recordings, Worldwide FM, We Out Here Festival Vikram Gudi, Executive Director, Lila / Elephant Music Jamilla Walters, Broadcaster/DJ/Label Owner, Jamz Supernova Ltd Emma Greengrass, MD, Wildlife Entertainment Ian McAndrew, CEO, Wildlife Entertainment Leanne Mison, Chair, ESEA Music Emma Zillman, Festival Programmer, Live Nation Christina Hazboun, Manager, Keychange Eunice Obianagha, Head of Diversity, UK Music & Founder, ENSPIRE Management Alex Bruford, MD, ATC Live Agency Yasin El Ashrafi, CEO, HQ CAN CIC Jess Partridge, Founder, BDT Sounds Ben Wynter, Director of Business Development, AIM (Association of Independent Music) Dave Webster, Head of International, Musicians’ Union Kat Kennedy, Managing Director, Big Life Management Despa Robinson, CEO, BE83 Music Group James Murphy, Chief Executive, Royal Philharmonic Society Ree Sewell, Senior Artist and Label Relations Manager, SoundCloud Robert Kilpatrick, CEO and Creative Director, Scottish Music Industry Association Mick Ross, CEO, Generator & Interval Records Kate Etteridge, Managing Director, DawBell Keith Harris, Managing Director, Keith Harris Music Sarah Woods, CEO, Help Musicians Ammo Talwar MBE, CEO, Punch Records and Chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce Ali Mawle, Co-CEO, Cheltenham Festivals Natalie Maddix, Artist/Founder, House Gospel Choir Becci Scotcher, Senior Grants & Programmes Manager, PRS Foundation Rupert King, Manager, Blue Raincoat Music Mathew Flynn, Co-Director, MusicFutures Sophie Jones, Chief Strategy Officer, BPI Keranjeet Kaur Virdee MBE, CEO & Artistic Director, South Asian Arts-UK Lisa Mallaghan, Executive Director, Bradford Producing Hub Yaw Owusu, Creative Director, NOTHIN BUT THE MUSIC Naomi Palmer, Agent, Earth Agency Graham McKenzie, Chief Executive & Artistic Direct, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival Jeff Thompson, Director, Un-Convention Fiona Robertson, Director, Sound Festival Chris Wilson, Label Manager, Fierce Panda Records Ellie Rumbold, Director of International, Partisan Records Chris Bye, CEO, Jazz North Ras Kwame, DJ / Broadcaster, Ras Kwame Claire Moran, Producer, Cryptic Tumi Willians, Booking Agent / Artist / Promoter, Starving Artists Sami Valkonen, Chief International Business Officer, PRS for Music Aja Garrod-Prance, General Manager, Scottish Music Industry Association Andrew Hannah, Director, BDT Sounds Dianne Wagg, Managing Director, Deluxxe Management / Ideal Music Prodns Richy Muirhead, Founder & Director, Scottish Alternative Music Awards & PITCH Scotland Nick Reed, CEO, B:Music / Symphony Hall and Town Hall Birmingham Sania Haq, Founder & Music Data Specialist, Bye 2 Stereotypes Becky Ayres, Managing Director, Liverpool Sound City Martin Mc Gill, Head of Music, Nerve Centre Olivia Hobbs, Founder/CEO, Blackstar Agency Erica Crompton, President, The Entertainment Agents Association Richard Dawes, Founder, DawBell Paul Burns, CEO, Tees Music Alliance Jennifer John, Vocal Coach & Choir Leader, Jennifer John Music Corey Johnson, Founder & CEO, Defenders Ent Chris Chadwick, Manager, Founder & Director, Famous Friends Management Ltd. Thursa Sanderson, Chief Executive, Drake Music Scotland George Chamberlain, Manager, Artist TBC UK Ltd. Richard Hannan, Director, Music Business Executive Dan Garber, Manager, TAPE music co. Zac Peters, Booking Agent, Runway Artists Yvonne Ellis, Artist Manager Lisa Young In, Head of Digital, TaP Music Sally Currie, CEO, Drake Music Andreea Magdalina, Founder, shesaid.so Phil Rose, Director or Rights, Sentric Music Malaki Patterson, CEO & Artistic Director, The Music Works Emily Moxon, Managing Director, Brownswood Music Ltd. Mazin Tappuni, Managing Director, Communion ONE Daniel Spinola, Artist Manager David Pichilingi, CEO, Modern Sky UK Leo O’Brien, Director, Only You Publishing Danny Kier, Founder/Owner – Artist Manager, Enki Music Thor Sutherland, Founder, Wayout Music Tom Rose, MD, Good Taste Recordings Ltd. Rod Jones, Artist Manager, Post Electric Artists Mark Gordon, Founder, Score Draw Music Adam Ryan, Head of Music, The Great Escape Festival Lynne Best, Managing Partner, Fourth Pillar James Ayo, Director, HBE Studios Guto Brychan, CEO, Clwb Ifor Bach/Swn Festival Lisa Whytock, Executive Producer, Showcase Scotland Expo Liam McMahon, Senior Communications Manager, PRS Foundation Alison Lamb, Founder, Project Allies Ella Luby, Accountant, Whitemoor Andy Edwards, Music Business Executive, UK Music & Others Thelonious Oliver, Manager, Two First Names Lucy Fitzgeald, Artist Manager Alastair Simpson, Director, Rare Guitars Ltd. Lesley-Anne O’Brien, Director, Lockjaw Records/ Onslaught Music Bertie Gibbon, Manager, ATC Management Daria Jaszcz, Marketing & Communications Executive, Scottish Music Industry Association Kevin Callus, Senior Account Director, PR Agency Maria Torres, Artist Manager Dean Bryce, Director, Don’t Sleep Tamara Kohler, CEO, Contemporary Music for All Jeff Powell, Manager, Big Hug Management Danielle Reginiano, Agent Assistant, ITB Agency Goziam Okogwu, Director/Producer, The Rite Collective Aisling Agnew, Artistic Director, Hard Rain SoloistEnsemble Sam Bailey, Founder Director, Free Range Roisin Hughes, Executive Producer, Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival Les Spaine, CEO, Spain Music Company Maura Kwaten, Manager, Ferocious Talent Ltd. Paul Craig, CEO, Nostromo Management Henry Carden, Manager, Quiet Crown Carli Jefferson, Partner, Lunatraktors Benjamin Magee, Artist Manager, New Champion Management Leon Wright, Founder/Artist Manager, Parade Music Ltd. Cathie Boyd, Artistic Director/Founder, Cryptic Glasgow Sam Comley, Founder, SoundAct P-C Rae, Producer, The British Music Embassy Tripti Rai, Operations Manager, Lila Daniel Parrott, Director, Low Four Studio Ben Street, Founder & Director, Wild Paths Festival & Wild Fields Festival Christine Osazuwa, Founder & CEO, Measure of Music Kevin Douch, Label Manager, Big Scary Monsters Recording Company Bev Burton, Director, Killer B Music Kevin King, Artist Manager, DMM Kenny Barber, Relationship Manager, PRS for Music Denis Allan, Artist Manager, 677 Media Management Mohamed Ogleh, Artist Manager, 2-Tone Entertainment TommyD, Musician, TokenTraxx
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Jelani Brown, Founder/Manager, JB Wassifa
Clair Le Couteur, Partner, Lunatraktors Scarlett Frost, Music Programmer and Venues Manager, Instigate Music Richard Williams, Director, Outlaw Music Ltd. Philippa Neels, Creative Director, NYX Ross Hampl, Head of Commercial UK/International, Partisan Records Grant Tilbury, Head of Artist Success, Openstage Ellie Giles, Artist Manager, Step Music Management David Manders, Manager, Liquid Management Francine Gorman, Director, Bad Rituals Steve Mead, CEO/Artistic Director, Manchester Jazz Festival Carla Brown, CEO, Syncdin Suzi Ireland, Artist Manager, Liquid Management Jeremy Searle, Director, Ely Folk Festival Laura Young, Company Director, S2K Music Ltd. Vick Bain, Founder/Director, The F-List for Music CIC Peter McGaughrin, Director, Chess Club Records Michael Lambert, Director, Wide Days Events CIC Claire Bennett, Director of Operations, Wood HQ Tom Toumazis MBE, Non-Executive Director, PRS for Music Jane-Ann Purdy, Festival Producer/Concert Promoter, The Soundhouse Organisation Aly Gillani, Director, First Word Records Emily Moore, Director, Southern Bird Jonathan Morley, Manager, Northern Lights Management Jumi Akinfenwa, Music Supervisor, Jumi Akinfenwa Dilwyn Davies, CEO, Mwldan, Cardigan/Aberteifi Thomas Haimovici, Owner, Au Contraire Music Nathalie von Rotz, Event Manager, The Great Escape Josh Cohen, Label Founder and Artist Manager, Memorials of Distinction Steph Van Spronsen, Manager, Baroness Music Reuben Hunt, Senior Account Manager, DawBell PR Olaf Furniss, Founder/Director, Wide Days Events CIC Selina Wedderburn, Co-Founder/Director, Tempo + Flow Aileen Douthwaite, Director, AMD Arts Consultancy Ltd Jemma Fringping, Tour Manager, All Things Live Ltd Kara Sarkodie-Mensal, Cultural Strategist & DJ, AQWEA Bradley Kulisic, Artist Manager, Singing Light Music Anthony Lee, Marketing Consultant, Crystal Palace Park, Brighter Sound, ESEA Music Sarah Scardilli, Founder/Director/Manager, Muise Management (Shygirl) Thom Ashworth, Director, The Nest Collective James Bruce, Head of Programming, Scottish Event Campus Nina Kehagia, Head of Content & Marketing, shesaid.so Hazel Davidson, UK Account Manager, Partisan Records Paul Sullivan, Chair, The Sound Lab Adrian Bell, Artist Manager, Blu Fire Ltd William Morris, Artist Manager, Unshaken Management Anastasia Bagin-Borzilov, Artist Manager Matthew Howes, Product Manager, Partisan Records Matt Hanner, Founder, Runway Artists Will Dutta, CEO, Sound and Music Chanette Carleo, Lead Radio Producer, Kiss FM Sami Omar, Executive Director, Up2stndrd Aled Chivers Head of Label, Chiverin Records Ben Skerritt, Manager, WORLD Ryan Morgan, Artist Manager, Polkadot Music Collective Breyner Baptista, Innovation & Culture Director, Blackstar Agency Philip Morris, Regional Officer for the North of England, Musicians’ Union Hannah Joseph, CEO, Decibelle George Wilson, Manager, Red Rum Club Keith Wyatt, Owner, Indie Kitchen Caroline Thompson, Head of Inclusion and Evaluation, Cryptic Simi Agbaje, Founder, The Blues Project Ltd Sam Tucker, CEO / Manager / Promoter, CloseUp Jen Long, Manager, Take Care Management Mobolaji Agoro, Manager, Fathome MGMT Chris Taylor, Director, Kempston Street Studios Richard Douglas, Producer/Promoter, Joe Buhdha Mick Bonner, Creative Producer, Moving on Music Harriet Wybor, General Manager, Royal Philharmonic Society Robert Davies, Founder, Perfect Havoc Limited Alice Oliveira, International Marketing Manager, Partisan Records Sara Prendergast, Manager, SB Management Simon Bobbett, Manager, SB Management Aimee Adam, Marketing and Communications Officer, Cryptic Colin Keenan, Booking Agent, ATC Live Kemi Davies, Director, Kemi Consulting Ltd Colin Poole, Director, London Oriana Choir Daniel Parmar, COO, Big Family Music Limited Benjamin Parmar, A&R Director, Big Family Music Limited Josephine Braithwaite, Director, KLS Bookings Claire Kilcourse, Artist Manager, Big Life Management Janine Irons, CEO, Tomorrow’s Warriors Gary Crosby, Artistic Director, Tomorrow’s Warriors Crispin Parry, CEO, British Underground Ltd. Abi Lufadeju, Music Lawyer, Abi Lufadeju Emma Snook, Director of Marketing UK, Partisan Records Basil Reynolds, Performance Development Coach / Consultant, Finding the Music Inside Consultancy Ltd Tal Fineman, Booking Agent, KLS Bookings Fish Krish, Head of Special Projects, Tomorrow’s Warriors Julyce Monbleaux, Music Supervisor, NoJusticeNoPeace julyce.global Stephanie James, Management Assistant, Big Life Management Rheana Forrester, CEO, The Narrative Create CIC Eva Davies, Artist Manager & Consultant, Fortified Artists Jenna Honey, Label Coordinator, Partisan Records Tash Daly, Director, Sidmouth Folk Festival Chelsea Wood, CEO, Wood Management Jonathan Tait, Music Lawyer, Louden Tait Consultancy Sabrina-Anne Sarping, Founder / Artist Manager, Gold Road Limited Geraldine Zanaska, Founder and Director, Compass Music Amanda Burns, Finance, Policy and Research Manager, Tees Music Alliance Claire Turvey, Managing Partner, Fourth Pillar Alba Martin, Agent, Earth Music Agency Aimmi Dunsmuir, Artist Manager, Future History Management Rosa Benameur, Founder, Unfiltered Frequencies / In The Crowd Mike Cave, CEO, Loft Mastering Glenn Gibbons, Managing Director, Soma Recordings / SPG Publishing UK Ltd Tyrone Rowe-McKenzie, Manager, TRM Live Limited Loretta Andrews, Artist Manager, Safe Music Management Alanna Henry, Event Producer, Jazz re:freshed# Joe Mason, Manager, Jaz Karis Enda Harte, Operations Manager / Artist, Wavetick Tobi Moore, Manager, The Sapiens Group Geoff Smith, Director, GSMC Ltd Chris Herbert, Music Manager, Ten10 Management LtdMark Tremaine Agbi, Producer/Manager, Tbs entertainment LTD Fiona Shepherd, Co-founder, Glasgow Music City Tours Kevin Henderson, Programming Assistant, SEC Alexandra Pickavant-Baxter, Booking Agent, KLS Bookings Michael Moloney, Design Director, Chameleon Records Matt Wolber, Student, Glasgow Caledonian University Gill Davies, Producer, GDP Ltd Lorna Futter, Artist Manager & Promoter, LiveWire Music Management Julien Salvi, Artist, label manager, Redeyes, Five Alley Stephen Hume, Sr. Manager, Anon Indie McClinton, Merchandise Manager, Indie Merchandise Kyle Lonsdale, Freelancer, Kyle Lonsdale Craig Hand, Managing Director, C Hand Solutions Corina Sabou, CEO, Aveleen Rose Entertainment Kim Oakley, Director, Poly Artists Agency jordan troup, Audio Engineer, whosjorts Errol Anderson, DJ/Label Owner, Touching Bass Jamie Wilde, Publicist, Chalk Press Agency Nadine Walker, Content Director, Tenement TV Alexandra Hale, Booking Agent, Higher Ground Agency Robert Goldie, Mastering Engineer, Oxbow Mastering Matthew Quinn, Record Label Owner/Artist/DJ, DJ Optical/ Virus Recordings Lorna McCormack, Studio Technician, Berkeley 2 Studios Chris Sheehan, MD, Karousel Music Sarah Joy, Agent, ATC Live Nataliya Nikolova, Independent Consultant, Nataliya Nikolova (self-employed) Libby Nash, Manager, Nash Management Steve Milbourne, Manager, Bounse Management Hamish Fingland, Manager, Bounse Management Alex Burt, Editor, Unit9 Frances Murphy, Marketing & Communications Manager, Bradford Producing Hub Nigel Gilroy, Global Head of Legal & Business Affairs, Wise Music Group Suzanne Wigley, Director, DEAN ST STUDIOS LTD Callum Read and Adam Harris, Management, The Snuts / Touchdown MGMT Sarah Lovell, Lead Officer – Culture / LCR Music Board, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Marc Roberts, Manager, OddChild Music Lauren Powell, Managing Director, iluvlive Sarah Barton-Wales, Head of Leicestershire Music, Leicestershire Music Joy Warmann, Project Manager, Secretly Group Brian Cleary, Managing Director, Barnes & Mullins Ltd Louise Latimer, Artist Manager, East City Tim Brennan, Campaign Founder / Freelance Vision Engineer, Carry On Touring Peter Stack, Director, Peter Stack John Roberts, Photographer, Freelance Alistair Groves, Producer, Studio Owner, Director, The Motor Museum David Dyer, Label Manager, djDyer Jo Wright, Artist Manager, Citizen Music Ireland Roger Cannon, Director, Brecon Jazz Festival Brian O hEadhra, Director, Traditional Music Forum of Scotland Michael Grieve, Managing Director Sub Club, Chair NTIA Scotland, SUB CLUB Genevieve Wood, Music Programmer, South by Southwest Charles Milner, Self Employed Fashion Designer Sophie Bee, Creative Director, Homobloc Heather Taylor, Manager, Redfiremusic |
| ARTISTS & MUSIC CREATORS
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| Anna Meredith, Composer, Anna Meredith
Amy Love and Georgia South, Artists, Nova Twins Simon Rix, Artist, Kaiser Chiefs Matthew Herbert, Director of the Sinead O’Brien, Artist, Sinead O’Brien Anna Savage, Artist, Anna B Savage Gaika Tavares, Artist, Gaika Tahliah Simumba, Artist, TAAHLIAH Giulia Grispino, Artist, Sans Soucis Nyrobi Beckett-Messam & Chaya Beckett-Messam, Morgan Munroe, Artist/Songwriter, Morgan Munroe Sam Grant, Artist, Record Producer, Jubemi Iyiku, Artist / Brand Owner, BEMZ / M4 Halina Rice, Artist, Halina Rice Rod Jones, Artist, Idlewild NK-OK and Mr DM, Artists/Music Creators, Lemark Freckleton, Artist/ Rebecca Sikasa, Musician, Singer, Grant Hutchison, Drummer, Frightened Rabbit Onyinye Ezeh, Artist, OneDa Joe Mcgillveray, Artist, The Snuts Simeon Hammond Dallas, Hinako Omori, Artist, Hinako Omori Robert Hunnert, Artist, RM Hubbert Gemma Bradley, Musician & Beverley Tawiah, Artist/Composer, Tawiah Dominic Husbands, Producer/Composer/ Anna Shields, Singer / Songwriter, Dead Pony Ashaine White, Artist, Ashaine White Lloyd Luther, Artist / CEO, Lloyd Luther Hamish Hawk, Artist, Hamish Hawk Felix Bushe, Artist, Gengahr Nigel Cudjoe, Artist / Executive Director, Savvy Ross Miller, Artist, Ross Miller Matthew Hickman, Artist / Songwriter, Brownbear Karen Nyame, Producer, Artist, DJ, Benedict Morris, Artist, Benedict Morris/Talisk/ Dallahan Harriet Wilson, Mike Wagstaff, Perry Lovering Pete Woodroffe, Songwriter/Producer/ Daudi Matsiko, Artist, Songwriter, Producer, Glenn Rosborough, Music Creator, Rosborough Ben Lunn, Composer, Ben Lunn Abi Jenaé, Artist, Abi Jenaé Scru Fizzer, Artist, Scrufizzer Lily Sturt-Bolshaw, Artist, Sunflower Thieves Ryan McGrath, Music Creator, Delta Minor Mysie Sempa, Musician, Mysie Paul Cowperthwaite, Artist, ANDRO Siobhán Shiels, Music Creator, Siobhán Shiels Barbara Dudek, Artist, Barbs Dudek / dame_x Alessia Mathis, Artist, ALESSIA Tabi Gazele, Artist, Tabi Gazele Katherine Priddy, Artist, Katherine Priddy Kyan Kuatois, Singer/Songwriter, Kyan Music Ruairi Richman, Artist, Lemonade Shoelace Winnie Amoaku, Artist, Winnie Ama Heidi Talbot, Artist, Heidi Talbot David Grubb, Artist, David Grubb Nia Wyn, Artist, Nia Wyn Lazlo Barclay, Artist, Pink Mario Simeon Walker, Artist & Composer, Simeon Walker Archie Jones, Artist, Wax Head Iona Fyfe, Artist, Iona Fyfe Megan Black, Artist, Megan Black Nadia Sheikh, Artist/Songwriter, Nadia Sheikh Ch Lu, Artist, Ch’Lu Adam Hope, Artist, The Pale White Iona Zajac, Artist, Iona Zajac Dani Larkin, Artist/Songwriter, Dani Larkin Andrew Ogun, Multi-disciplinary Artist, Ogun Alasdair Taylor, Artist, Elephant Sessions Imogen Mason, Artist, sm^sher Murray Macleod, Artist/Songwriter, The XCERTS William Stokes, Artist, Voka Gentle Dominic Canning, Artist/Producer/Musical Director, DoomCannon Stina Tweeddale, Artist, Honeyblood Chris Bainbridge, Artist, Man of Moon Chiedu Oraka, Artist, Chiedu Oraka Lisabel Biscaldi, Artist/Songwriter, Lisabel Dean Honer, Artist, I Monster Jarrod Gosling, Songwriter, I Monster Liza Bec, Artist and Director, Liza Bec/BMV Records Zhenia Purpurovsky, Music Creator, tAngerinecAt Mike Stobbie, Songwriter/Composer, Mike Stobbie Mica Millar, Artist & Director, Mica Millar / Golden Hour Music Ltd. Nathan Lawrence, Songwriter, NEONE The Wonderer Fran O’Hanlon, Artist, Mezanmi Rita Kamael, Artist, Rita Kamale James Moffatt, Composer, James Peter Moffatt Conor McAuley, Artist, Conor McAuley Christian Punter, Songwriter/Artist, Otto Aday Emma McGann, Artist/Songwriter, Emma McGann Heledd Watkins, Artist, HMS Morris Angela Slater, Composer, Angela Elizabeth Slater
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Alice Hancock, Artist, Redolent
Jake Murgatroyd, Artist, Murg Julia Wyszkowska, Artist, Songwriter, Jelia Joe Taylor, Session Musician, Anna B Savage Melica Lashley, Artist, Melica Eleni Drakopoulos, Artist, Eleni Drake Dina Koutsouflaki, Artist, STORRY Genevieve Dawson, Artist, Genevieve Dawson Nontokozo F. Sihwa, Artist, Venus Ex Machina Isabella Levina Lueen, Artist / Chair, Levina / FAC Artist Council Selin Asar, Artist, Selin Asar Katherine Timoney, Artist, Songwriter, Katherine Timoney Christopher Keats, Artist/Songwriter, KEATS. Tom Rowan, Artist, SOAPBOX Freya Roy, Artist, Freya Roy Munkh Ochir Damba Ochir, Pianist, Munkh Ochir Damba Ochir Elisabeth Elektra, Artist, Songwriter, Producer, Elisabeth Elektra Shao Dow, Rapper, Manga Author, Occasional Ninja, DiY Gang Entertainment Carlo Kriekaard, Artist, VLURE Natalie McCool, Artist, Natalie McCool Laura Pacheco, Songwriter, Riya George Burrell, Artist, Exult Jamie Fairbrass, Artist, J:Kenzo Freddie Graham-Dixon, Composer, FD Brian Talbot, Artist, Embers Of Light Jason Cambridge, Artist / Mastering Engineer, A Sides / Zenith Mastering Aidan Bennett, Artist / Producer, Aydn Cian McCann, Artist, Zero T Adam Krolik, Artist, Label Manager, Conrad Subs Samy Ponsar, Artist, War Chris Parmley, Artist, Young Rebel Set Tom Withers, Artist, Klute Christopher Keats, Artist/Musician, KEATS. Andrew Haeffele, Songwriter, Crystal Clear Alexander Chatkin, Artist, Nami music Eli M, Artist, Monrroe Nontokozo F. Sihwa, Artist, Venus Ex Machina Louise Dodds, Artist / Songwriter, Louise Dodds Josh Ackermann, Artist, Koherent james evans, Music Producer, Amoss Aura Murphy, Artist, The Silencers Finlay Smith, Session Drummer/Sound Engineer/ Producer/Songwriter, her picture Jack Allsopp, Producer, Composer, Artist, Tutor,, Act One Music Tommy Perman, Artist, Tommy Perman Graeme Porterfield, Artist, Purple Haze Craig Campbell, Songwriter, Composer, Performer, Director, CEO, HABITUS MUSIC & MEDIA Neal McHarg, Artist, Roller Disco Death Party Elliot Garvey, Artist, Quartz Sarah-Jane Dale, Singer, CEO Melisma Music, Director of Music – LastMinuteMusicians.com, Sarah-Jane Dale Kasra Mowlavi, Artist, Critical Music LTD Dino Martino, Artist / Technician, Dino Martino Jana Rysava, Artist, Songwriter, Producer, LESRYS Daniel Taylor, Artist, TRCD Sonia Allori, Composer/ Performer, Sonic Bothy/ RCS James Zucker, Songwriter, Radiating Circles Anna Wylie, Artist, Anna Wylie Carly Barber, Songwriter, Charli brix Charlie Jefferson, Composer, Charlie Jefferson Darrell James, Producer, The Invaderz Charles Fourcassié, Artist, Trail Jordan Gatehouse, Artist & Label Owner, Myth Ian MacDonald, Artist/Songwriter, Ian MacDonald Alex Menzies, Artist, Alex Smoke Johanna Kivimagi, Artist, Hanakiv Gemma Hayward, Artist, Megalichen Alan Troake, Actor, Actor Joe Smillie, Artist, Modern Studies / Afterlands Amanda Bradtberg, Artist, Ledz / missledz Karen Willard, Artist, Miss Melody Adrian Rybka, Artist, Satl Dan Willson, Singer Songwriter, Withered Hand Frank Carter, Songwriter, Frank H. Carter III Alex Lemom, Artist, LEMZI Donald Hay, Artist, Old Blind Dogs Nikolaj Bogomolov, Artist, NickBee Jean-Paul de Witte, Artist, Ventress Nemanja Brakovic, Producer DJ, NEMY Terrence Nicholas, Artist, T.R.A.C. Patrick O’Reilly, Songwriter and Artist, Padsr David Webster, Songwriter, Kleu Sydney Chapman, Songwriter, Sydney Bryce Andrew Barney, Artist, Musician, Composer and Assistant Producer of POWER UP, Andrew Barney Chris Parmley, Artist, Young Rebel Set Jamie Tucker, Music Producer, DJ, Music Industry Product Specialist, Primitive Instinct Juan Laforet, Artist, Juan Laforet Emily Ippolito, Music Composer, Emily Frances Ippolito Vinicius Honorio Gomes, Artist, Vinicius Honorio Cobe Alexandru-Lucian, Artist, Sub:liminal Isla Ratcliff, Musician, Isla Ratcliff Fauzia Habib, Musician, FAUZIA Mark Wallis, Record Producer, Recording Engineer, Mark Wallis Alice Rowan, Songwriter, producer, performer, Mayshe-Mayshe Sophie Matera, Artist & songwriter, Sofi Mari Kirstie Costar, Singer songwriter, Bower Music UK Lauren Hooper, Artist / Songwriter, Lauren Alex Hooper Charlie Tophill, Artist, Songwriter, Producer, Bar Pandora Jessica Roch, Composer/Artist, Jessica Roch Consuelo Cordey, Songwriter, Consuelo Scivoletto-Cordey aka Consu James Grant, Songwriter, James Grant Katie Rose, Singer and Writer, Katie Rose Catriona Price, Musician/Composer/Artistic Director, Catriona Price Sonia Killmann, Freelance Musician, Sonia Killmann Maksymilian Rzepka, Artist, Good Citizen Taylor Buntain, Musician, Taylor Made Music Sarah Williams White, Songwriter, Sarah Williams White JP Waksman, Composer/Producer, JP Waksman Luna Frighthouse, Artist, Mrs Frighthouse Howard Monk, Artist, Billy Mahonie Luka Per, Songwriter, Smooth Nigel Thompson, DJ / Artist, DJ Jumpin Jack Frost Gabriela Chavez, Bass player, Gaby Simon Dale, Artist, Simon Dale Martin Gillespie, Musician, Skerryvore Music LTD David Bailey, Artist, David Bailey
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Appendix
[1] International trends and increased competition
- A recently published IFPI Global Charts for 2024 report highlights that no UK recording artists were included in the Top 10 Singles or Albums for the first time in 20 years.
- While the accelerated adoption of streaming across Asia and Latin America and increased popularity of non-English language music presents opportunities and should be celebrated, these statistics should be seen as a wake-up call for UK music.
- The impact is clear – as a result of increasing global competition from fast growing, large territories, the UK’s share of the global market is shrinking.
- According to the BPI’s annual reports on the recorded music market, the UK’s global music share is shrinking. From a peak of 17% in 2015, are global market share has now dropped below 10%.
- On the streaming side, BPI noted that revenue growth is slowing: 2024’s 5.7% YoY increase is notably less than the 8.4% YoY growth seen in 2023.
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[2] International approaches
- Fuelled by strong government investment, South Korea’s music exports surged fifty-fold in 14 years, with K-pop stars taking 2 of the top 10 spots in the IFPI’s Global Artist Chart 2024. The commitment to promoting music over a sustained period means artists like SEVENTEEN have followed BTS and Blackpink to dominate global charts. In 2023, the South Korean Government spent approximately 790 billion won (c. £425m) to support small and medium-sized companies and startups in the content industry in order to increase export of Korean cultural content.
- Music Australia was established in 2023, with their government committing $70 million (£33.6m) to boost existing initiatives and fill pipeline gaps. Their Export Development Fund offers support for Performance and Touring, Professional and Artistic Development, and Market and Audience Development, with links to well funded domestic development programmes.
- The Government of Canada confirmed an investment of $32 million (£17.2m) to keep supporting and match-funding initiatives that enhance the careers of Canadian artists, while strengthening the competitiveness and stability of the Canadian music sector. Canada is now the world’s third biggest exporter of music following consistent government investment.
- EMEE’s ‘Developing Music Export in Europe’ report, published in September 2023 provides a comprehensive analysis of 29 European music export organisations to highlight multi-faceted and strategic approaches in countries including Germany, France and the Netherlands.
The previous government’s decision not to participate in the Creative Europe programme means our creative industries are missing out on an additional €108m of cultural funding this year.
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[3] Evidence of impact
- Over the last eleven years, government investment in the BPI’s Music Export Growth Scheme has delivered a return of investment of nearly £14 for every £1 of support, leading to an estimated £73.5 million in financial return.
- The latest independent evaluation of PRS Foundation’s International Showcase Fund (ISF) showed that with c. £80,000 of government investment each year, the fund helped grantees to generate £6.7 million for the UK economy from 2019-2024. Over two-thirds of grantees were based outside London and the fund has diversified and evolved to tackle barriers for a broad range of exciting, diverse artists and creators. And ISF achieved a £27 return for every £1 invested by the Department for Business and Trade.
- ISF has diversified and evolved to tackle barriers for underrepresented music creators, with 67% of grantees based outside London; 57% identifying as women, gender-diverse or in mixed gender groups; and 33% identifying as belonging to the Global Majority. 93% of grantees agreed the support helped them reach new audiences and 92% said it increased their international profile.
- Programmes delivered by the British Council, UK Arts Councils, and other export and exchange specialist organisations help to present the best of UK music to the world, offering opportunities and meaningful cultural exchange between UK and global music industries.
These initiatives have enabled thousands of creators to grow their careers globally, including the likes of Sam Fender, Little Simz, Ezra Collective, Self Esteem, Glass Animals, Kae Tempest, Dave, Rina Sawayama, Wolf Alice, Young Fathers, Jungle, Nova Twins, Yard Act, Anna Meredith, Bicep, IDLES, Kelly Lee Owens, corto.alto and Beabadoobee.
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[4] Solutions
- UK Music, LIVE and their members have been consistently calling for increased government investment for a number of years.
- Initiatives managed by PRS Foundation, the BPI, British Council, UK Arts Councils and other like-minded funders and export specialists have demonstrated that investment and support boosts the UK economically, culturally and socially – with funds including the Music Export Growth Scheme and the International Showcase Fund enabling a huge return on investment and significant impact on the UK’s soft power and global status [see above].
- The specialism, dedication and investment within the commercial music industry gives the sector confidence that we can thrive with a joined up, strategic and ambitious approach. UK music is globally admired, and this can be protected by bolstering the interconnected parts of the music ecosystem – from music education and talent development, right through to the internationalisation of UK music.
- Over sixty Music Export and Exchange stakeholders have been gathering regularly and consulting with DBT and DCMS colleagues. Because of the work we do and the knowledge stakeholders have, we are primed to collaborate in the best interests of the entire sector.
- There is a renewed optimism. But there is a shared recognition that spending review decisions must provide sufficient backing for existing initiatives, while providing the stability our sector needs and addressing export pipeline gaps:
- UK artists, music-makers and businesses are being failed by systemic gaps in support for international development which need to be addressed.
- As well as enhancing support for existing, impactful initiatives, with more funding, we could support for more emerging and mid-tier artists to take advantage of international touring and festival opportunities; provide more opportunities to those working in regions, nations, genres and at career levels not being fully served through existing initiatives; enhance access to established and emerging markets; facilitate creative collaboration and exchange; and provide more support for industry professionals.
- This is not possible with current levels of support – estimated to be £2 million per year. Additional investment will help exciting, diverse talent from across the UK to fulfil their global potential. The resulting increase in return on investment will nourish domestic and export ecosystems, which in turn leads to increased market confidence. And growth comes from a confident industry.
- Export and exchange support is intrinsically linked with domestic development initiatives. This sector-wide ask complements associated calls for ambitious levels of funding to support grassroots music, music education and arts funding more widely.
- In building towards an investment of at least £10 million per year into existing and new Music Export & Exchange initiatives, UK Government can help thousands of UK-based music-makers, professionals and companies to build international careers.
Investment in artists, industry professionals and through the solutions outlined above will generate substantial return on investment to drive the UK economy and to accelerate long-term growth for a high-potential sector which generated £4.6 billion of exports revenues in 2023.