The music industry has this week been busy digesting the findings of an extensive new report on the music industry and gender inequality.
As revealed in the latest issue of Music Week, the in-depth study by former BASCA CEO Vick Bain included some startling statistics. According to the report, just 14.18% of the 12,040 writers represented by UK publishers are women, while female artists make up 19.69% of the rosters of acts signed to labels.
Bain suggested her report, Counting The Music Industry: The Gender Gap, would be a “wake-up call” for the industry. The study has been welcomed by trade bodies, who are keen to address diversity in the sector.
Geoff Taylor, chief executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said: “Any fresh insights that help to promote gender diversity more widely across our industry are to be welcomed. There are real and encouraging signs of progress, but clearly more still needs to be done, particularly when it comes to achieving greater diversity at more senior levels.
“There is a palpable determination from all sectors of our industry, much of it channelled through the BPI’s Diversity Advisory Group and UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce, to continue working together to build on the positive impetus that we are seeing, to help bring about meaningful change.”
AIM welcomes this new report and applauds Vick’s insightful and data-driven approach
Gee Davy
Bain’s report included extensive findings on the publishing sector, which she knows well from 13 years at BASCA. The Music Publishers Association (MPA) has welcomed the insights.
“The MPA recognises Vick’s commendable work in this study and we welcome all ways of highlighting the importance of equality in music careers,” said the MPA in a statement. “As the music publishing community, we endeavour to promote inclusivity and equal opportunities, in every way. We are committed to seeing a fair and inclusive industry for everyone and will lead by example”
Other bodies who have flagged up the findings include the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and AIM.
Gee Davy, AIM’s head of legal and business affairs, said: “AIM welcomes this new report and applauds Vick’s insightful and data-driven approach. This report will be an invaluable point of reference in AIM’s continuing work alongside our members to rigorously challenge our own community’s outlook and actions towards improving gender balance and representation.”
Bain now works as a freelance music industry consultant and is director of the board of Parents & Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA). She has sat on the UK Music board, the UK Music Research Group and the UK Music Rights Committee, as well as the UK Music Diversity Taskforce.
UK Music deputy CEO Tom Kiehl said: “Our Diversity Taskfore is dedicated – particularly on gender diversity and BAME diversity – to trying to encourage better entry points in the industry, and finding ways to improve that.”
The full report is available to download here.
To read the full interview with Vick Bain, pick up the latest issue – or subscribers can click here.
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